Just got back from Duxford where I thought I’d check on the number of awards that the AAM has won. I think they are being modest but there are at least 7 plaques commemorating various awards which I don’t think an “ugly” building would have won. I defy even Setter to deny that the sight of the AAM in the early dusk, when the lights are just coming on, not to be impressed by the view of the U2 in silhouette when coming North on the M11.
As for being the AAM being dark you are quite wrong…period.
A question has to be raised about who it was designed for. Was it for the family who might have visited Wimpole Hall, or Cambridge or Linton Zoo? Or was it for the enthusiast? It would be interesting to know how many of Duxford’s 400,000 visitors are true enthusiasts and how many are day-trippers. A ratio of about 20 to 1 I would guess. Certainly the hundreds of guests I’ve shown round seem to think that the IWM has got it about right but then they are in the “day-visitor” category who also are the majority.
Good post JDK, nice to have something meaty rather than the width of a squadron marking to think about.
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