Nashio.
I don’t know about others but I complain because I don’t see that the National Cold War Exhibition has reached anything like the potential it should have. To give you an idea what I mean I’ll go through it bit by bit.
We’ll start with the building. A member here has quite appropriately called it a melted B & Q! The original designs were for a building which at least bore some resemblance to an aircraft hangar. I believe this layout would have precluded the hanging of any airframes. It appears this design, which the RAFM had on their website for a long time, even after construction of the new building had started, was not deemed to be a landmark building and therefore the new, yet totally unsuitable structure was chosen. Below are the images of what was originally proposed. A much larger surface area and astructure much more in keeping with the rest of the Museum. Sorry about the small size.
I was under the impression that the design of the building was to allow the exhibits within to demonstrate the fractured ideologies of the Cold War, to highlight the divide between East and West. I do not see how in any way shape or form that this criteria has been met.
But let’s go on a walk around and I’ll tell you what I think works and what doesn’t.
The main entrance. Well, it really isn’t is it? You couldn’t find a less imposing or, for that matter, more dangerous entrance.You enter through a hole cut hastily into the end of the building and are immediately confronted by angular beams which could catch out the unwary and a delightfully placed, waist high barrier placed just at the right height for small children and wheelchair users. Is it bad design? An oversight by the architect? Or is it just laziness?
So, you negotiate your way past this obstacle and find yourself on the upper level of the exhibition. You are immediately confronted by a Centurion tank for which, during the first few months at least, there was no signage. You can clearly see a little bit if a valiant, a little bit of Victor and perhaps most of the underside of the Vulcan. Most of this view is disrupted by the placement of a ‘Hot Spot’ interactive coke can in which images and dialogue are delivered regarding the Cold War. Along the topmost edge of the building is a Mig 21.
Now I’m sure you will agree that the F-111 is a big aircraft, but the RAFM have effectively managed to hide theirs by tucking it against the sloping wall of the building next to a Mig 15 and a Phantom cockpit section. Completing the displays on this level are some weapons and uniform exhibits and a selection of models of Russian aircraft of the Cold War.
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten the other aircraft. Hanging above our heads are the Canberra and Meteor in a level attitude. They look ok as far as hanging aircraft go but an opportunity has been missed by using this much smaller building than that which was originally proposed. One of the real abhorrations to me is the displaying of the beautifully restored Sabre in such a totally outlandish attitude. The same could be said of the two seat Hunter in a training scheme. They have a single seat Hunter on the gate wouldn’t that have been more appropriate to a Cold War exhibition?
Moving on there is a narrow suspended walkway across the lower level. This leads to a lift which will take you up to a high level viewing platform. It is at this point that I have to admit that three airframes have been hung in an acceptable if nor downright imaginative manner. The Lightning looks superb in vertical pose and the Javelin, suspended from the highest point of the building, is displayed in a turning and climbing attitude although this is not reflected in any deflection of the aircraft’s control surfaces. The Dakota, suspended just above eye level is a real treat and probably my favourite aircraft exhibit. it is when you look down that you begin to wonder what is going on.
Moving down to the lower level by the Checkpoint Charlie Cafe is probably my favourite exhibit of all in this Exhibition. It depicts both the Berlin Airlift and the destruction of the Berlin Wall in an imaginative way. The York is almost squeezed in between the outer wall and the Walkway and the nose is difficult to photograph due to its proximity with the walkway. The Belfast takes up an enormous amount of room but again a trick has been missed here. Rather than locating a cinema screen at the entrance to the aircraft’s hold, the hold itself should have been turned into an educational exhibit. For me, the inclusion of the Mini, Trabant and Beetle is inconsequential. There are other Hot Spots and I imagine these are of some educational value. The inclusion of the Jetstream seems to be a bit of an afterthought and totally unconnected with the themes of the Cold War and Berlin Airlift. Perhaps the same could be said of the Twin Pin but I do like to see it in that colour scheme.
To leave the building from the lower level one has to exit through the shop, a common enough marketing ploy these days. However, this seems a bit odd at cosford as the shop is normally located at the end of a visit whereas here it falls in the middle. The shop, in my opinion, is terrible. It has moved from a light and airy space at the main entrance and exit and is now extremely cramped with very limited wheelchair access.
That Nashio, is just some of the reasons I complain.
Regards,
kev35
I definitely see what youre getting at,
i cant however see any further point in adding to this rather pedantic debate,
your post raised some good points (the different design, i knew nothing about)
however, you managed avoid my point that they’re inside for good, and as such have a future, layout whatever the building looks fantastic and is a pleasure to see all these beautiful aircraft in one place
Ben
have to look up 😉
what i cant understand is why are people complaining:confused:
the future of these aircraft is now assured for the forseeable future! all too often aircraft have been earmarked for preservation and succumbed to corrosion and the inevitable scrapping that must follow after 10+ years outside (blackpool vulcan)
these aircraft have been put here and had millions of pounds invested in a building so that they can be preserved, essentially for us (as we all share a common interest in them, and then people are whinging because you cant get a good picture :confused:
its the only place in the world where you can see the three V bombers in one place, and they are all kept inside a heated building, if they were put out again, i wonder how big the uproar would be then…
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