Well, I won’t say much more on the new plan than has already been said by more or less everyone. I certainly disapprove of this particular gimmick in its proposed form. I agree that we don’t need another memorial as such (that London monument is superb) , and that turning it into a “theme park” is a waste of money. I suspect that they are still riding on the wave of self-satisfaction the Cold war exhibition at Cosford must have generated, and haven’t got over the fad for shiny pointy buildings.
THAT SAID, there needs to be some balance. The current Battle Of Britain display does look very tired. It has been said that the lighting is poor, which is very true, but frankly my main problem with it is that the whole format is 35 years old, and looks it. The display of aircraft is very uninspiring in layout, not superbly labelled, and distincly tatty round the edges. Something does need to be done. Either rebuild the current edifice rather more fundamentally than sticking in a glass wall, or put in a new, sensibly designed building that is in keeping with the heritage of the site.
I suggest that a new development should have a balance of aircraft imaginatively displayed on the ground and yes, a few hung up. It would be better-lit with more use of daylight, and have less wordy and old-fashioned signage. Some of the best museums of any kind I have ever visited use audio-phones to give information on the exhibit, meaning that the visitor can actually look at the artefact instead of peering over each others’ shoulders to spend all their time reading a grubby, wordy, and poorly-lit sign. The great thing about the audio handset is that one can choose how much information one hears, and what one hears. The enthusiast (like us) could listen to more in-depth information about the aircraft’s history, preservation and construction. Those more interested in the human stories can hears interview with the pilots, ground crew etc, of which the RAFM must have hundreds of hours hidden away in tis archives. By this means, they could do something different and more engaging for the children, that got them interested and engaged their imagination rather than making them stand and read a sign. Lastly, those that want to photograph the aircraft can do so without the display area being cluttered with signage.
I feel there is a balance to be struck with suspended aircraft. They can be fantastically effective if done well and in moderation, but past developments have been too heavy-handed, and left no air around them (Cos.), or simply strung too many up in the same position (Dux., although I note how many a/c would otherwise be outside if not suspended inside) But imagine how visually effective just one or two of the aircraft suspended would be. For example, RAFM could do a superb diorama with the Stuka diving on an “airfield in France”. They could make good use of the Hurricane and/or Battle, 3.7′ AA gun, and some period equipment to make something that is both visually striking, emotive and sensitive to the history on display.
Frankly, they could massively improve what they’ve got for a fraction of the cost, and drag the displays, kicking and screaming, out of the 1960s into the current century.
Sorry about the essay, but I have been mulling over this for ages!
TT
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