volunteers

Or alternatively, get involved with a smaller group who look after maybe one or two aircraft.
We are at the begining of the restoration of a Buccaneer and a Meteor and have 8 active volunteers, each one is hands on regardless of experience, all we ask is that they have a willingness to learn, we have had several people in the past who express an interest in becoming involved only to find that they are happy to stand around with their hands in their pockets and watch others work, I am sure other groups have had this type of volunteer before.

Felix, it maybe worth talking to the chaps at White Waltham.

volunteering

However unless you are already skilled in restoration be prepared to work your way up from the bottom – cutting grass, litter picking, selling in the shop (if you’re lucky). Eventually you may perhaps be allowed near an aeroplane – cleaning one, pumping up tyres, helping to move – then, at long last, actually working on one.

Wow if thats not meant to discourage younger lads and lasses from volunteering I dont know what is! Having spent 17 years of my own time and money volunteering on a project here in canada I can asure you that that statement didnt apply to me but I can’t say that it is not true for most major museums/groups. Best thing to do Felix Flyer would be to go to a place of interest to you and offer your help but also tell them your interests and or any skills you have.
My father and I didn’t have to cut grass and all that we were given a sheet metal removal job to do on the old girl and then the very next job we were hanging an engine and prop on a ww2 trainer!
Best of Luck Felix let us know how you get on!;)

Brooklands is actively increasing it’s VC10 team. No need to start at the bottom, if you are interested and trainable then we have a place for you. We now have three VC10 exhibits, G-ASIX/A40AB, G-ARVM and the Fatigue fuselage all in need of tender loving care. If you are interested, send me a PM.

Crosswind.

Most of all enjoy it – the hobby of aircraft preservation can be fantastically satisfying.

Roger Smith.

Amen to that, Roger.

Welcome to the Forum FelixFlyer.

It’s been a few years since I’ve been involved.

As Yak 11 suggest the Museum of Berkshire Aviation at Woodley would be a good place to try – especially as they fit in with your wishes with airliner and GA aircraft. They are, I believe, a volunteer-based museum who would probably welcome you with open arms.

However unless you are already skilled in restoration be prepared to work your way up from the bottom – cutting grass, litter picking, selling in the shop (if you’re lucky). Eventually you may perhaps be allowed near an aeroplane – cleaning one, pumping up tyres, helping to move – then, at long last, actually working on one.

Some groups/museums can be cliquey. Always be polite to visitors – they may towards the end of a long day ask you a question the 20 before asked and delayed you doing that job you wanted to get finished before going home but visitors are the lifeblood of most collections. They will hopefully tell their friends how they enjoyed their visit, they may even decide to join in themselves.

Most of all enjoy it – the hobby of aircraft preservation can be fantastically satisfying.

Roger Smith.

Whereabouts are you?
White Waltham?

Have you tried speaking to those at the Museum of Berkshire Aviation?
I started my volunteer work at Duxford in 1984 and have since met a lot of great people and made some good friends along the way.