To quote the friend: “Unless the aero boys take a leap of faith and start to join in with other divergent interests then they are doomed to an ever decreasing series of events and their numbers will start to dwindle as the supply of cockpits dries up completely and the owners literally die off!
I have thought on this for a few days since I first read your post as I was puzzled by the quote shown above.
I don’t think in the UK there is a problem at all with cockpit ownership/preservation? In fact, every year different and more varied types are being collected, re-constructed, and preserved. If anything, this is expanding year upon year. It is far from dying out.
As for engaging with the public at displays, this is entirely up to the cockpit owner. Some base their cockpits permanently at museums where the public have greater access. While in the main, most of us keep them at home or in a workshop as it is the only way we can financially or practically engage in aircraft preservation.
Making the trip to events, several times per year with what are on the whole delicate parts of airframes, is not only a bit of a risk each time, but in many cases a big part of your annual restoration budget! There are some regular events that are well attended every year (Newark’s cockpitfest for example) that provide an annual focal point for the movement, just like Wimbledon does for Tennis.
Some cockpit owners are very motivated to engage with the public at every event they can attend, as many times per year. This is all credit to them. For others, it is a private hobby. Most of us fall somewhere between the two camps, as time and finances dictate.
It is great that the military vehicle scene continues to thrive, but it must be remembered that these vehicles on the whole are a lot more durable when rocking up to event after event. Delicate airframes much lesser so.
Sign In
