What's not in the museums?

What about the Bombay and Hendon, 0/400 Hydrabad HP 42 a real one off impressed into service, then the Scyla, and going back to earlier in the thread and in time if it wasn’t for any of the museums with keen and dedicated people who have vision then the Wallace would have been scrapped. But luckily those at Newark back in the sixties had the where with all to save it, and it was swapped with Hendon for a Gnat which didn’t come their way. There are many aitframes we could have should have but didn’t save, like the saunders roe princess though the work on such aircraft is a big undertaking so not practical. The venoms are light on the ground as well though again its the NF variant that seems to have survived and indeed the sea venom as well. I love threads like this as it exercises the mind and memory as well, heres another Albemarle and Hawker Nimrod yes a floatplane from a large family which came from the Fury biplane or the many Gloster types like Grebe and F9/40.
How many can we add to this now empty landscape of missing gems.

I was under the impression that the wings for the Venom had beem scrapped.

There is conflicting information about that – perhaps Bruce may know more?

Allow me to add more cheese to your grater then… 🙂

Actually the original Hotspur cockpit which was at Aldershot was, last I enquired, in store with the RAFM, possibly at Duxford but lord knows if it’ll ever see the light of day again. I tried for so many years to gain access to it to try and document and ascertain it’s identity but didn’t get anywhere. It was in need of some TLC last I saw it and offered some replacements for broken components.

I wasn’t aware that the RAFM had any connection with the Hotspur nose which moved from display at Aldershot and into store at Duxford with the IWM. Was that a typo?

I was under the impression that the wings for the Venom had beem scrapped.

The RAF Museum already has a Valleta but it is stored out of view at Cosford. There is however a good example at Flixton.

I’d forgotten that one, I’d got it in my head the Flixton one was the last survivor.

The Venom IIRC is at the Mosquito Museum, but needs a lot of work – they had made good progress on the fuselage last time I saw a pic.

The Hotspur nose is indeed in store at Duxford. It was in a delicate condition when on display at Aldershot. The offer was made to restore it and incorporate it into the Wallop build which would have made the fuselage over 70% original. Unfortunately only measurements were allowed.

The Hadrian is a restoration(but has it ever been assembled in the UK?). The Horsa is a replica which has a number of errors that grate with me, but then again that’s my problem.

Allow me to add more cheese to your grater then… 🙂

Actually the original Hotspur cockpit which was at Aldershot was, last I enquired, in store with the RAFM, possibly at Duxford but lord knows if it’ll ever see the light of day again. I tried for so many years to gain access to it to try and document and ascertain it’s identity but didn’t get anywhere. It was in need of some TLC last I saw it and offered some replacements for broken components.

Replicas (and no, I am not complaining)

The Hadrian is a restoration(but has it ever been assembled in the UK?). The Horsa is a replica which has a number of errors that grate with me, but then again that’s my problem.

The RAF Museum store at Cosford contains a complete Horsa and a complete Hadrian which used to be with the group up at Shawbury.

Replicas (and no, I am not complaining)

Miles Martinet, only one is at Reading as far as I am aware.

Agreed, although just why anyone would want to see a Hengist is debatable. However, it is a pity that no complete example of the Horsa, Hamilcar and Hadrian exist in UK museums whilst the Hotspur only exists as a replica that incorporates an amount of original airframe.
I’d be happy to see a Venture or Vigilant on display, especially if they were the ones I have in my log book.
Its also about time that Sedburgh VX275 was released from storage in Stafford to a suitable museum (The Museum of Berkshire Aviation would be most appropriate – if they had the space) but again its only a personal choice based on her holding an important milestone in my aviation career.

The RAF Museum store at Cosford contains a complete Horsa and a complete Hadrian which used to be with the group up at Shawbury.

Looking at possibilities and fantasies

Vampire T11 – every other museum has one,but the RAFM doesn’t have one on display (XD515 was under restoration as long ago as 2008)
Venom – no genuine RAF Venom, the ex-Swiss one would represent the type, – is it on show?
Valetta – post war Transport workhorse, not that many left though!

The RAF Museum already has a Valleta but it is stored out of view at Cosford. There is however a good example at Flixton.
The RAF Museum did obtain a genuine RAF Venom ex gate guardian from the Far East. IIRC it was brought back dismantled as deck cargo and after storage for years at Cosford it was never assembled and was passed on.

A lot of gliders. Transports like the Hengist, but ATC ones too (Venture, Vigilant). And the odd ones, Olympia springs to mind. Experimentals too.

Agreed, although just why anyone would want to see a Hengist is debatable. However, it is a pity that no complete example of the Horsa, Hamilcar and Hadrian exist in UK museums whilst the Hotspur only exists as a replica that incorporates an amount of original airframe.
I’d be happy to see a Venture or Vigilant on display, especially if they were the ones I have in my log book.
Its also about time that Sedburgh VX275 was released from storage in Stafford to a suitable museum (The Museum of Berkshire Aviation would be most appropriate – if they had the space) but again its only a personal choice based on her holding an important milestone in my aviation career.

The most glaring omissions (in my humble opinion, and I am very much biased of course) are the Stirling and Whitley. Of both aircraft the RAFM holds substantial remains in deep storage. Even restoration of these sections and put on display give some sort of recognition to the aircrew who flew these types.

I agree with your humble opinion, at least some private individuals are trying to make amends for these omissions.
Hopefully as these progress the RAFM will make their ‘bits’ available, if they don’t a restored Stirling tail would make a fantastic exhibit. Wasn’t aware they had any Whitley bits?

The most glaring omissions (in my humble opinion, and I am very much biased of course) are the Stirling and Whitley. Of both aircraft the RAFM holds substantial remains in deep storage. Even restoration of these sections and put on display give some sort of recognition to the aircrew who flew these types.

Looking at possibilities and fantasies

Vampire T11 – every other museum has one,but the RAFM doesn’t have one on display (XD515 was under restoration as long ago as 2008)
Venom – no genuine RAF Venom, the ex-Swiss one would represent the type, – is it on show?
Valetta – post war Transport workhorse, not that many left though!

The Yorkshire Air Museum were trying to acquire the Beverley – however they were outbid.

I remember that. It would have been good to see it housed on an airfield but the folk at Fort Paull came up with the readies and the will to acquire it and still saved it. Due to its height however I presume Elvington would have had to keep this massive aircraft outside. In which case the corrosion issue would have still been there and look at what happened to the Herald that was there. It is a wonderful museum but even they can’t compete with the weather.

A lot of gliders. Transports like the Hengist, but ATC ones too (Venture, Vigilant). And the odd ones, Olympia springs to mind. Experimentals too.

The Yorkshire Air Museum were trying to acquire the Beverley – however they were outbid.

I do believe the RAAF Museum at Point Cook has a Boston. I’ll just check. Yep.
http://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/exhibitions/tech_hang/boston.htm