Visit to Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum

Yes it’s amazing how much Master they retrieved, Rob!

Mothminor,

Many thanks for the photographs and as you say a very impressive collection of Master parts, I can feel a visit coming on. They also appear to have two control column rubber boots………..if only!

Thank you once again.

Tim

Wow that’s some display… Some very very nice items in there.Rob

Yes it’s amazing how much Master they retrieved, Rob!

The TwinPin cockpit is under cover and looking in good condition –

Any news on the display (or otherwise) of the Twin Pioneer cockpit (G-AYFA) which thy have on loan?

Wow that’s some display… Some very very nice items in there.

Rob

Hi Tim. Yes but they’re not brilliant – bit of reflection off the glass –

The Kestrel engine is in remarkable condition –

Hi Mothminor,

Did you take any photos of the Miles Master N7500 display?

Kind regards,

Tim

Whats the story behind the unusual Jet Provost markings?

Hi Sideslip. Quoting from the museum’s own website :-

n early May the northern region of the Guild of Aviation Artists visited us for their annual sketching day. However this year there was a difference – as well as sketching aircraft, they were invited to paint an actual aircraft in our collection in a scheme of their own design. As regular visitor will know, our Jet Provost T4 had progressed to the primer stage and was waiting on better weather to have it’s topcoats applied. We offered the Guild the chance to come up with an abstract design to be applied to this aircraft for a period of two years, after which normal service colours will be re-applied.
The scheme chosen is a nod to the great war ‘dazzle’ camouflage, designed to make the shape of an object seem less distinct at a distance, and was applied on the day by a few of the Guild artists. Bringing their usual great weather, the hot metal meant that the paint dried almost on contact but they battled through to produce a striking look, and one which compliments the lines of the aircraft. We’re sure it will be a popular exhibit, and already we have had younger visitors telling us their favourite aeroplane is ‘the stripey one’!

Whats the story behind the unusual Jet Provost markings?

Looks like they have either thinned out the collection, or have moved stuff offsite, the Wessex, Full Canberra fuselage and I’m sure there was a meteor. Has the F111 escape pod been moved inside?

Hi, Portagee. With the ongoing works there was some temporary fencing around but the F-111 pod (still presently outside) can be seen in the photo through the side window of the tower along with the Mystere and Buccaneer cockpit section. The Meteor and Wessex were there too – sorry hadn’t got round to posting those! Also T-33 and Sycamore. Don’t know about the full Canberra. The Loch Doon Spitfire and another JP are off site.

Hopefully the plans for hangarage will include the Draken!

From speaking to a couple of the guys, my understanding is that the smaller items and displays are due to move into the new buildings in the photos. Maybe the F-111 pod will be included in that? The Control Tower will be cleared then restored too. A larger hangar is planned for recently purchased ground and it is this one which will house the complete airframes. I believe the intention is that they will all be under cover.

They just need to be given that hangar in the background of the last pic and all will be well!

That would be great! But it and a few others are still in use by other businesses. In fact we were quite impressed by the number (and condition) of buildings still left on the old airfield site. Many are still occupied. For anyone interested I posted some pics over here – http://www.airfieldresearchgroup.org.uk/forum/dumfriesshire-airfields/1064-dumfries?start=20#131521

Looks like they have either thinned out the collection, or have moved stuff offsite, the Wessex, Full Canberra fuselage and I’m sure there was a meteor. Has the F111 escape pod been moved inside?

If that’s the former Duxford Draken, it looks pretty rough. I did a lot of tidying up work on that, but I suppose it was 30 years ago…
Hopefully the plans for hangarage will include the Draken! Some nice exhibits there.

My thoughts exactly Mike…

They just need to be given that hangar in the background of the last pic and all will be well!

A nice collection and a great bunch of guys. Must get up there again meself some time.

Anon.