My two sons and I saw the display at Gaydon on Sunday. Truly an awesome sight. Nothing can match that howl, and I feel privileged that all three of us were able to see something we will never see again.
I am fully aware of the issues around VTTS and the criticisms they have faced. However, I think they deserve the support of everyone. Call me naive, but what possible reason would they have to ask people not to attend the final landings apart from safety? Some sort of sneaky last ticketed flight for a final push for funds? And if they are after funds, why do they want them? To line their own pockets? Surely most of the people working for VTTS (Pleming included!) could be on much better salaries working elsewhere!?
Like I said, I may be wrong, and I know a lot of people disagree with me. But hearing the outpouring of emotion from the crowd on Sunday (including the commentator!) was a truly remarkable event. Only flyovers from the likes of Lancasters and Spits create that sort of emotion. And if it gets historic aviation into the headlines, so what? People seeing XH558 on the news might be inspired to go and visit XM655 or XM594 and support them!
My son (11years old) and I have built loads of Spitfires any time we are at a show when Airfix have their tent- almost makes me feel guilty as we tend to take home about 6!
He has loads of Airfix kits- inspired by James May a while ago on Toy Story.
You mention Minecraft- can’t exactly build “high realism” models but you can build things! My son has a “Cold War Memorial flight” (Victor, Vulcan, Valiant, Hunter) on one of his worlds! Will try and get pix if I can!
Anything to inspire younger generation!
What time approx is Vulcan APU run?
Personally, any time my son and I have visited a museum, it’s the “sitting in cockpits” that really makes it for us.
I suppose we (hope!) we represent the sensible, thoughtful “look at everything carefully and understand it” brigade, rather than the “flick merry hell out of everything” brigade!
Anyway, open cockpit days at Midland Air Museum and CockpitFest at NAM are highlights for us!
What a great idea! Done these at Victoria and Albert museum- kids love them!
Plus that book in the picture (Tail End Charlie) is ace- my son and I have read that several times.
You’ll have to keep your eye on the contents though…..
Hmmm…
My son and I love “hands on” exhibits- the Argosy simulator at Newak is ace!
I also quite like an eccentric, cluttered feel- think it gives a place character rather than a sterile, over-clean feel. I like discovering seemingly-forgotten treasures hidden in corners.
Plenty of geeky info on the exhibit is great too- like the QR codes on the NAM Shackleton!
Cockpit access is a must I feel, even if only a few cockpits open- nothing more depressing than things you can look in and not touch/sit in! Nothing like the smell and feel of an old cockpit- Midland Air Museum has lots of these.
As you might guess, we quite like NAM!
I’m not a major photographer, so don’t really subscribe to the “less is more” philosophy.
Have you seen The Warehouse at the National Railway Museum in York? That is one truly amazing place, and the absolute antithesis of less is more!
Sadly I don’t have anything to display but would love to come to the event!
So is airfield definitely being built on?
Stanton by Dale in Derbyshire? Interesting- didn’t know about that- guessing you already know about the Wellington memorial in Stanley?
Just re-watching Cold War Jets loving the shots of Minis and Standard Vanguards parked under V-bombers! Can’t believe they’re from the same era!
Also XM603 looks very sad still!
I thoroughly agree, having had a fantastic day at the open cockpit day last year (loved going in theNimrod). However I do think they could keep their website updated, as there is no mention of the VC10’s acquisition- last piece of news is the Nimrod, and no mention of 2014 events. Planning to go to next OCD though!
Do you think if I had asked nicely they would let me in the Valiant/Victor? Was a bit disappointed to see the Jet Provost was closed- sitting in cockpits is the best bit according to my son (9)! I agree (hence our frequent Newark visits!)
Earlier thread on this here…
http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?93056-Current-status-of-the-quot-Kee-Bird-quot-B-29-Superfortress
Looks loads like a B29? Or the Russian equivalent/reverse-engineered one?
Is this the one that’s still at Elvington according to Thunder and Lightnings? Weirdly enough EBay link still works for when it was on…
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=120693571187
I stand corrected!
That ekranoplan is one seriously ugly beast. Reminds me of a tortoise poking its head out of a shell…