Well done to Newark Air Museum for hosting another excellent event.

The weather was kind to all on both days this year, which always adds an extra boost to the proceedings.

I attended as a visitor on the saturday, and enjoyed catching up with a lot of friends who were displaying some excellent progress on their projects.

As ever, the projects on show represented a good cross-section of types, of all different sizes and a good variety of themes.

I’m looking forward to 2017 already!

One of aviations unsung and largely forgotten types, today (7th June) marks the 70th anniversary of the first flight of the twin Merlin engined Short Sturgeon S.1 prototype RK787.
First flown by Shorts Brothers test pilot Geoffrey Tyson from the company’s airfield at Rochester in Kent, it was originally conceived as a torpedo / strike / reconnaissance bomber but the end of the war with Japan meant there was no longer a need for it. However its potential as a two man crew high speed target tug for the Royal Navy had already been taken into consideration and the third prototype was built as the TT.2 (TT standing for Target Tug) prototype, VR363, now spouting a long ungainly looking nose housing the recording cameras and somewhat spoiling its previous good looks.

Although equipped to be operated from aircraft carriers this was never employed operationally except in trials, and all Sturgeons were land based primarily with 728 NAS (771 and 703 also used the Sturgeon but to a far lesser extent). When the need for potential carrier operations and photographic duties came to an end it was redesigned as the TT.3, a much more pleasant looking aircraft with the long nose now deleted and replaced with a shorter type reminiscent of the original prototypes profile. Also now void of any carrier equipment the Sturgeon continued to be flown by 728 squadron from Hal-Far in Malta and was generally very well liked by its crews who spent hour upon hour flying back and forth allowing naval gunners to hone their skills by firing at its towed target.

A total of just 28 Sturgeons were built, and the type continued in service until 1958 when it was replaced in the target tug role by the Meteor TT.20.

No complete examples have survived into preservation!
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Rob

Nice looking aircraft in this variant.

I visited the dismantled aircraft in the BoB Hall. All very interesting, but, I am dumbstruck by the fact this wonderful hall is being closed and its items dispersed.

The signage gives a false impression that they are just checking the condition of the aircraft. There is no mention that the hall will close, the bombers will go in the bomber hall and the fighters in next to the cafe in the main hall. It does not mention that the Me110 and Ju88 are off to cosford with the defiant, nor that the jungmann will be disposed of. It doesn’t say what will happen to the art, the relics, the replica Uxbridge ops room, searchlight mannequins, art, medals and Churchill. All aircraft are effected except the Sunderland. Information is out there in the web, but not that readily available.

The hall gives context to the Battle of Britain, it is a national curriculum subject and also covered Evacuees as well as events leading to the war. The film was a big favourite of my non aviation enthusiastic family. One could readily see which were the main aircraft of both sides and the film made it easy to understand for all ages. I don’t care that the ju88, 87 and 110 and 111 were later models, they were examples. Besides joe public did not care. How can the BoB be told with the aircraft dispersed?

I asked a few visitors what the thought of the hall going. All were surprised. I left a comments slip but it sounds like no one will read it or care.

I feel aggrieved that whilst the RAF history is more than the Battle, it was the Finest Hour not only for the RAF but also this country. It was a huge turning point in those very very dark days.

Whilst a museum needs to be fresh and appealing to the public (not just enthusiasts), forgetting the Battle is not the way to do it. I would have expected the Battle to be a big part of the RAF 100th anniversary, not hidden away. It would be like the RN forgetting Trafalgar, Tarranto, Jutland etc or the Army forgetting Waterloo etc.

When I was a student in the 80s, I spent many days walking around that Hall and reflecting. In the years to today, I would spend at least two days a year there. it is a tragedy that this will no longer be possible

Sorry, but the RAF Museum have upset me with this. I cannot believe the wider RAF would be happy.

If I am wide of the mark or wrong please correct me. I will post some pictures of what we will be losing.

Please keep this discussion on track and not descend to discussion on lighting!

Hi Tony,

That’s dissapointing to hear that the BoB Hall is to be closed. I had read that some of the airframes were to be conserved and some relocated.

Like you, the BoB Hall is a long term highlight of Hendon for me, and has certainly been a memorable occasion for my young family. Yes I agree, after a number of years, every display should be re-freshed but if this particular one represents the RAF’s finest hour, as well as a significant point in our Nations history then it should be kept in some form or another. One could argue that if the Battle had not been “won”, an invasion would have been more likely to follow, and the war could have had a very different outcome.

We can all have our opinions on what the museum could do next, and I’m sure there is probably not a single correct answer. I would personally like more themed displays, like grouping types per era or theatre of use, with supporting ground equipment. How better way than to show the HISTORY of the RAF?

What I hope the museum does, is not make everything too digital and modern. These aircraft belong to a different time, and although information screens may attract little jonny, it does so at the expense of not ever bothering to look at the airframe usually!

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone could help in dating my Mk 4B gun sight. Can a date be identified by reference number? I have included photos including one showing 3 patent numbers. Thanks for any help.

Hi Tele,

Yes, I agree with Bruce.

Dated between 1947-1950.

Not many survive as they were converted into the mk4e variant.

I had a look round the Wildcat a few years ago – it had been modified ( for firefighting or cropspraying ?) and ISTR that it would be difficult to return the (wing structure ?) back to standard,I may have taken some pics but ‘unsure of their position’ 🙂

What’s the history of this Wildcat?

Perish the thought that a country other than the UK should have any exotic historic aircraft!

Steve

It is all credit to its owner/operator that this Gauntlet has been flown for all these years. Its the only Gauntlet left I believe, and a wonderful sight for the Finnish people to see part of its history still flying.

Hi John,

What a good idea of yours.

Out of interest, has anyone recovered those Siskin remains and brought them indoors for preservation?