Finally, another update
Well, where do I start?
First off, apologies to my regular viewers for the delay – we have been quite busy recently!
The management structure has been completely revised, and now includes a Project Manager in charge of all the restorations and displays, followed by team leaders in charge of individual restorations. For example, the Vulcan guys are under direction of their team leader (me), and I report to the Projects Manager (also me!):D So far we have 5 separate teams and enough people to make another one. With this set up, we can make far better use of our limited man power and everyone has a job to do whatever day of the week they turn up!
Right update time:
Vulcan news: None. It rained at the weekend, but the sheet metal repairs are on going, and from now on, when it rains, they will be concentrating on the cockpit. I hate winter.
Lightning news: The stub fin is almost off! having cut out the skin, all that is left is a few frames – they can now get to the bolts, which is making life a little easier. Work continues apace with the aircraft now in its undercoat (grey!), completely weather sealed with the exception of the spine, cockpit and jet pipes. The spine repairs are being progressed with the help of Newcastle Aviation Academy / City of Bristol College. The electrical conduit panels along the fuselage are also being replaced.
Gazelle news: Lots of it. We now have 2.5 Gazelles…. The first, G-BAGJ is progressing well on its way to running status, parts are being removed from the second Gazelle, former XW666 which crashed in a big way. We have the pod, and the guys are removing all of the electrical looms, hyd systems, brackets, and anything else. The third Gazelle is being renovated for the Army, with a view to use it as a gate guard by them. That is the joy of mutual help – we get lots of support, they get a nice heli! (XX380 – Royal Marines).
Other news: We were host to various VIPs regarding our future recently, so we have had to put on a couple of extra displays – Karl Edmondson’s Auster is currently set up in a WWII field ops situation, complete with camo nets, scramble bell, manequin and ops hut. We also have a Bomb disposal diorama, courtesy of the bomb disposal guys!
We are updating the stock in the shop to include NEAM monikered items – from fridge magnets to mugs, etc. There will be some big movements fairly soon on the display side, since a new office will be built; the archive room renovated; display cabinets moved, built, re-stocked; Space generated by careful re-shuffling of the displays; and finally, moving some of the exhibits moved outside. We are chronically over crowded, and something has to give. One of the next projects is to weatherproof the comet nose section, and build a stand for it outside. We are formulating a collection policy, and for now, that aircraft does not have a place with us. My priority list is as follows:
Vulcan
canberra
Lightning
Whirlwind
Gazelle(s)
Comet
followed by various small displays such as the Link trainers.
Finally, there are no pics because I’ve run out of room! I’m going to work out how to use fotobucket or something similar…….
LL
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