Tribute to the V-Force 2014

The web update to a CMS based platform was put on hold after the unexpected passing of David Westacott in May 2013 – the work load to keep the finances operational meant that something had to give; and the website was one of those items.

Although not an ideal situation it doesn’t seem to have impacted onto the operation too much because so far this year visitor numbers are the highest they’ve been for the last 20 years; long may it continue!

Realistically it will be autumn time before we get the opportunity to sort the website.

I’m glad that you enjoyed the V-Force event. 🙂

NAM WEBSITE MAIN PAGE: INCREASING EVENTS AWARENESS

Hi Howard, I thought that the use of NAM’s own in-house event update panel on the website main page had been implemented last year but it must have not registered with me as to what had actually been done after I saw the site some time afterwards, and again recently.

The whole point of the events updater panel software that I sent mock ups of last year is that people ideally need to see HIGHLIGHTED on the MAIN page what is happening for forthcoming events, and THEN get pulled inside to the relevant section.

SPECIAL EVENTS
Without such a heads-up from the main page then the museum homepage still isn’t being used to its maximum to highlight events – currently people have to navigate inside the pages to ‘special events’, which itself is in the same weight and colour as other listed links on the home page – the ‘special events’ link at least needs to be more highlighted too, to draw attention to events as an obvious advantage to NAM. Make that link bigger and bolder at least and you have a far better chance.

When you do click on special events you find that a thing like the TSR-2 day isn’t highlighted there also, its in a separate-linked list via any one of 5 same-size pics. Highlighting a rotating series of say 4 main events on the home page via the floating Brooklands software device will raise awareness far quicker and more effectively than at present. If this can’t be done however, for whatever reason (cost/techy issues or clash with ad revenues from sponsor logos) then another option exists.

FEEDBACK
A contact mailed me recently saying: “They really don’t promote their events very effectively to get the punters in. Their website is not helpful, in that respect. The details about forthcoming events are not actually on the ‘Events’ page! You have to look back through the news items to find out details what is planned and that is ridiculous, I only found the TSR-2 proposal and others by clicking one of icon 5 right-hand colour links beginning with ‘Aeroboots’ !!”

OPTION
When you ARE in ‘Special Events’ after clicking the small home page link for that section, you only get special events generic info – the special events proposals for any one year should at least be here, and separate from ‘news’ however, if no home-page heads-up panel device is possible – those special events really should be flagged up separately here at least I think, with BIGGER link icon pics for say any special event like TSR-2, including the Fest, and the 2 seasonal Aeroboots – that’s 4 pics that can be arranged in two rows below the generic lettering, or all in one line, but BIGGER than the norm to reflect that they’re specials. And accessed after 1 click into the site, instead of 2 with a subsequent hunt to find them amongst the list of small same-size pics as at present.

Its not as good as seeing something flagged-up on the main page but at least you impress on browsers that these are presented immediately as main highlights of the year – currently though, you then have to hotlink AGAIN, via those 5 r/hand icon pic items as explained above, to get to the info you seek under ‘News & Info’. I’m afraid this is a bit confusing and not as effective as it could be as the contact remarked above and I hope it can be looked at to encourage exhibitors to see that aside from any Twitter /Facebook & trad advertising considerations, the website is used to better effect in raising awareness for future events at NAM.

Another good weekend at the V Reunion with new contacts made and I had some good responses to the displays too.

Earlier today the museum hosted a special visit onto Vulcan XM594 and this has resulted in a limited number of specially signed ‘Vulcan Boys’ books becoming available; details in here!

There’s also a small album of photographs from Saturday displayed in here!

It’s been a wonderful event today, with a great turn out of V-Force veterans and members of the public – an album of photos has already been added in here!

Good to have a brief chat with a few forumites, I’m going to have a shower, something to eat, a couple of beers and get ready for hopefully another busy day on Sunday – rocket launches included!! 😮

One final bump for this thread before the weekend!

Display tables have been distributed around Hangar 2; the marquee for the Reunion ‘signing-in’ tables is being erected on Thursday; and the weather forecast looks reasonably OK (especially when compared to the 2012 Sunday wash-out)!

As a slight aside I understand that the ‘Cycle to the Sky’ fund raisers passed through NAM today and visited XM594!!

As ever any last minute announcements will be added in here! 😉

Just over a week to go until this event and a few pictures of Victors and Vulcans with chutes have been uploaded to the Gallery page as an album entitled Victors and Vulcans!

The final update for the V-Force Reunion event went live today – just under three weeks to go! http://www.vforcereunion.co.uk/

Last night I made a start on gathering together some of the material that will be included in the talk that I’m giving on Sunday 18th May.

It was nice to come across some of the acquisition paperwork for XM594, which was successfully completed back in the days of dealing with the MOD at Harrogate – oh what a different time for MOD disposals!

Details of the former Vulcan personnel who will be joining Tony Blackman to sign copies of his new book – “Vulcan Boys” have been added to the NAM news page!

A new album of ‘white’ Waddington Vulcans has just been added in here!

A small album of V-Force aircraft images at RAF Scampton has been added in here.

It is anticipated that other albums will be added as next month’s event approaches.

Some from RAF Waddington added 12th April 2014.

I have just received the following update from the V-Force Reunion Team:

“Just to let you know that the http://www.vforcereunion.co.uk/ website has been updated. Check you have the latest version of the site – it has a dramatic picture of Vulcan 558 at the top of the page!

Changes include an announcement that one of the BBMF Spitfires will be doing a flypast at the reunion on the Saturday, and the cut-off date for booking tickets for the evening function at Newark Golf Club, which will be May 5th. With that in mind, if you are planning to come in the evening and haven’t yet booked, please don’t leave it to the last minute, but book as soon as possible – details on the homepage.

As always, after a long wait all of a sudden the event is almost on us – looking forward to seeing you there!”

Another site move has taken place today to get ready for this event in May, with the Victor cockpit being moved further down the site to near Hangar 1

Also another exhibit joined the collection yesterday a ZPU-4 Anti-Aircraft quadruple gun set – similar to what V-Force crews might have faced during the Cold War era.

Details have been announced of the free talks that will be given on V-Force Sunday details in here!

N.B. there are still spaces available for anyone that fancies giving a V-Force related talk!

Details of a book signing session at the event on 17th & 18th May, 2014 have been just been added in here – Tony Blackman et al for the book ‘Vulcan Boys’.

An updated version of the V-Force event information has just been added in here and this now lists the first set of visiting displays for the event.

This is a long shot but here goes – is there anyone that posts on here; who was in the V-Force and who now lives in Derby / Derbyshire?

If any such person exists I’d appreciate a PM!

The Derby Telegraph awaits!! 😮

There’s a further update on the NAM website about the specific V-Force Squadron’s that the Reunion Team are trying to make contact with:

“They would also like to issue a special appeal to the following Squadron Associations and/or their former squadron personnel:

Valiant – 7 Sqn, 18 Sqn, 90 Sqn, 148 Sqn and 199 Sqn

Valiant & Victor – 232 OCU

Victor – 15 Sqn and 100 Sqn

Vulcan – 83 Sqn”

As ever any assistance would be appreciated! 🙂

Some mailing work is currently underway to the various Squadron Associations that have V-Force connections via the Valiant, Victor and Vulcan.

Some of the contact data may be old, so please shout up if you’re connected with a Squadron that hasn’t been contacted.

A new update about this event has been added to the NAM website in here.

There is still display space available for relevant groups / individuals and there’s also a request for speakers for a presentation session on the Sunday.