Welcome, it might be worth contacting Newark Air Museum – they currently have a Heritage Studies graduate preparing a Timeline of RAF Training for display in Hangar 2 at the museum.

The museum also has a strong training theme running throughout its collection.

:rolleyes: As you might imagine everyone in Nottingham is really proud of the City Council’s ‘Great White Elephant’ and ‘major contribution’ to modern society – the WPL (Workplace Parking Levy)! 😡 😡

Kev, common sense has very little place in the process of applying for money to build new museum space. Unfortunately function loses out to a fashion statement every time, as other museums have found out. I may be wrong, but isn’t the hangar at Newark the only lottery funded new aviation museum space (Airspace being an extension of an existing structure) that’s managed to secure funds for a building that wasn’t an architectural statement?

On the one hand I can appreciate that the people assessing funding applications aren’t necessarily au fait with the future demands of aviation museum space and they have a desire to create “landmarks” with the money they hand out. However, I feel that the balance of style over function tipped so very far towards style with the new building at Cosford and with the AAM at Duxford. Both are striking buildings but neither provides any real flexibility for change – just look at the expense of installing the Liberator.

I’m not sure that this situation is likely to change anytime soon. I know of at least one very well thought-out application that was refused on the basis that it simply catered for the needs of the museum and integrated well with its existing buildings without making any bold “architectural statements”. It’s a case of falling into line or doing without the lottery handouts under the current regime.

Depending on your interpretation of ‘new aviation museum space’ IIRC there are more projects than Newark e.g. the original Duxford Super Hangar; Elvington’s T2; and Dumfries & Galloway.

My personal views on ‘functional aviation building space’ are well documented on here, just use the search facility to find several discussions about Airspace and Cosford.

I am extremely proud to have been a major contributor to NAM’s successful HLF Application and I was also a member of the volunteer based team that oversaw its implementation. 🙂 Every time I enter Hangar 2 at NAM I’m reminded of an interesting comment made by a local Museum Service representative whilst we were working on the project… “You’ll never get Heritage Lottery Fund money for putting aeroplanes in a shed!”

It’s a nice feeling to prove someone wrong. 😀

NAM received excellent guidance and support from HLF and they continue to do so in relation to other projects on the horizon. However as I recently posted on other threads about these parts, the 2012 Olympic pressures are putting a severe strain on their ability to fund capital projects; and your project has to be exceptional if it is going to secure funding.

If all else fails you might be able to make arrangements to come along and measure up the practice mine mentioned here!

It’s now displayed near to the fuselage section of W4964, Burpee’s prop blade and the Gibson Plaque. With the added incentive that Winthorpe operated Stirlings! 😉

… As if anyone needs a museums or shows guide when they can look on the internet any time for free.

If any of these magazines had any content of any value, they’d be gagging to show it to the world. Hiding inside a plastic cover with some unconvincing “free extra” tells you all you need to know really.

Interesting viewpoint, but then not everyone has access to the Internet.

That said perhaps we should encourage them to go to the library and a log-on for free; and whilst they are there have a free look at any aviation books rather than having to buy them; much greener option as well… less paper and inks used; reduced travel time; optimum use of their time etc!!! 😀

Slightly off topic – but I understand that until about 12 noon today one of the Argentinean ground radar units captured in 1982 and subsequently modified was being used in an area next to NAM to monitor and photograph low-flying aircraft.

Info provided by bored operators of said kit!

😀 Don’t forget there’s a Viggen and a Draken here in the UK!

I’ll try and get you cockpit access PL when your’re next in Balderton!! 😀

In the early 1990s I visited the British Gypsum Fauld works several times to supervise some on-site publicity work. During the tea breaks the gypsum workers recounted many personal stories about lost family members and friends and an event, which at that time I knew little about – the victims were still being remembered with reverence and dignity.