I really don’t buy into this “interactive” business and this obsession with making every museum an activity centre for kids. Surely, if a child is going to a museum then he/she should be going there to examine artefacts and glean information, not go for amusement.

Wonder what would happen if the Natural History Museum started throwing-out their dinosaur skeletons if they decided they were too much trouble to preserve?

The “plastic” Spitfire and Hurricane oustide sum-up Hendon nicely. They’re all about presentation and popularity rather than historical preservation.

Can’t agree on all of that Chox – the interactive exhibits are key to how a lot of education is carried out these days and a Q&A with an information reel are a great way to encourage learning. I’ve taken my son to museums from the age of 6 or so, he is now 9 – and with the “hands on” you hook the interest, then they start to learn and read more. Put it this way, when we left the Cold war exhibit when he was 8, he asked me if a cold war was a war where you got other people to fight for you and you didn’t fight yourself.

Job done by Cosford I say, especially as when we got home he started dipping into my books looking for the Berlin airlift and was drawing Dakotas flying down red lines on a map.

as for the plastics outside, they serve a purpose and are easier to maintain and clean than the real thing, and they never pretend to be anything other than what they are. The dinosaurs you mention are also plastic, fossils are stone are far to heavy to display mounted as they are, so what you see are plastic and plaster castings, not sure if the comparison is fair.

As for the lighting, I don’t take pictures but still think its ***** !

As an aircraft ethusiast and a dad, Hendon is not my favourite to visit at all, it is “flat” and uninspired, but there is history there and my view is that if my nipper wants to learn I (and the museum) can encourage him.

and if he runs down the exhibit hall screaming and getting in somebodies way, I’m happy to be old fashioned enough to smack his backside (not that its ever been needed in a museum – airshow yes, museum, no)

I’m trying to get him to have a go of Blazing Angels instead… 😉

I’m about to hurl mine out of the window, can’t get past that New Guinea level for love nor money.

What ******** tanks? I can’t find any ***** tanks…

On the plus side, and I’m generally as gloomy as the next man :mad:… I’ve taken my son twice in the past 18 months and there is a lot to see. IIRC it has the largest collection of “enemy” aircraft in once place in the UK. Maybe not in the as intended condition (the JU-87 with the fake bomb etc gets me going BUT, where else can a boy going through the “baddie” stage see a Stuka in one piece!?) There is also a cockpit to play in (needs must….) but if you walk around with the nippers and tell them what you know, they do learn and want to know more.

The collection there is well worth seeing, whatever the downsides and for somebody who has never been, I’d certainly say go along – even if its just the once.

why is it free ? I’m sure I’ve paid?

was it a Ken Livingston thing when all London museums became free and (I assume?) got grants from the GLC or whatever its called now?

I put a few quid in the pot when I go (twice in the past 3 years or so) but nowhere near admission (£8 adults, £3 children ?)

as for changes, certainly open it up more rather than start again and build again. at the least, open the galleries on a pre-booked basis. A coat of paint and an open mind on lighting etc would help.

EG, 5 forum members book in advance so they will let us in, check and frisk as needed ?

It has been a slow downward spiral for the museum over the years. Not being a photographer the lighting didn’t bother me that much, other than the BoB museum which is a bit grim! Closing the side galleries is poor as well, it dumbs down the place so there are aircraft only, the place holds many other artifacts as well that deserve to be seen.

The FAA museum has the same lighting issues on the “carrier” – I know they need it dim for the “flight ops”, but why not at least crank them up a bit between take offs!?

Credit though for the plans at Hendon to restore the Defiant and work done (despite late problems) on the Battle, its not all bad but it could do with a shake up to say the least.

Only ever use mine for the hole in the wall, or as I like to call them,
the Drink Link:D

went to a place that repairs them a while ago, showed me where they put cameras and fake readers etc….. amazing, they work that hard to steal you’d think a real job would be just as much a challenge….

Just had my card declined

used my switch instead (paying to collect wifes car from service) phone jolly old Barclaycard, punch in my card details and go through to the fraud dept. We’ve noticed unusual activity on your card so cancelled – why didn’t you phone, you don’t hesitate to when you think I need insurance, dental care, etc etc…..

some pond life has taken them for £350 at carphone warehouse, tried again (oddly) for £10 at O2 (topping up the new phone!?)

happy they caught it, not chuffed that they didn’t call or write – bit red faced in the garage just now!

so long as the service history checks out – the engine will run for over 200,000 so I’m (often) told !

I do find the Audi drinks oil though (the lighter newer oil) – so always keep some in the boot.