I agree with Mr twin otter and have not forgot the hard work that has been done on NAM’s behalf, though the thread is about the many facets that we encounter in the general mainstream of museums. And I fear that most museums and others in the preservation world will still have a very small younger demographic and that while the museums such as NAM do get that small amount of ATC who are keen in our field, what about the fringe museums like the watch and clock types and the many other strange things around, do they have a younger bias, and that’s what worries me more as every thing has its place in history. I would like to know how many small museums have fallen by the wayside in these groupings as that could have some bearing on what the trend may be.

Its important to note that if it were not for people who have vision we would not have the many types of museums mainly ran by the many volunteers in all types of things, from aircraft to shoes or clothing and all things in between then its fair to say that we would all be watching TV or just playing games. History shows that IF people don’t save things that either show how the world has moved on or made history like say the spitfire or lightning then they would have failed to do the right thing to teach and preserve for others coming behind. I personally feel that if duplication does not occur then we run the risk of doing the same as the RAF museums poor management re: the Beverley and the B1 Vulcan at Cosford these types do still hang on, but only just in one case for now at least. That said we have also seen a cull of late re: VC 10 and whilst they do stand a chance I do know that while they are being saved at the moment how long before they fall foul of not being looked after, I know we ALL want to preserve but I know from first hand knowledge that looking after small as well as large airframes is hard work and I applaud anyone who tries to do the work and what’s more keep them live like CWJ in Brunters. But there will always be a place for the statics like Midland or the many others that have grown all over the world and the reason why I don’t have a problem with duplications is due to the fact that travel and monopoly should not be allowed to make a dent on the pocket or the countryside. And why should we just support the government sponsored museums when the money is ours anyway, but the work that goes into the charity run section is far more worthy of help. I am a member of such an organization and am proud of the people and work that such a committed band of brothers can achieve, and on a very tight budget. The sad thing with all of these hobbies is the demographic is getting very old and little is changing in that way. How can we change that I have no idea but I do know that time is not on our side and how we get the young in god only knows and its a baton passing that seems to have to happen. Our youngest member is in his mid forties and I am 53 so that seems to be how its going on at the moment. Add to that anyway the rise in buying costs and shipping costs of new exhibits and you will start to see a slowing down in the growth of museums, so once again there are problems that will come to the fore. We all need to pool together and try to find away to do what we do best and that’s for the whole of society and not just for ourselves.

Well Scott I have to say I was on the flight line when TSR 2’s were the main strike type in the RAF honest.

We at Newark were asked if we would like to take her on, but the strip down and rebuild like the Nimrod would have been a disaster for the museum. We thought long and hard over both projects, but in todays climate the costs would have bankrupt us so with great sadness we had to decline, and even if we had been in the frame to take it on the work in saving this fine rare example would have put other projects on hold. So as far as we could see with the few staff and volunteers we have we felt that we couldn’t justify either the Comet or the Nimrod and we did get the nod on the latter but it again would have had seriously limited our funds and as before would have seen other projects suffer. We are preservationist yes, but sadly our limited resources and cash flow put it out of reach and even smaller airframes are now fetching lots more than even 5 years ago so even they are drying up, thanks for the thread though chaps there are people out here who do watch and can some times take on the big ones alas we couldn’t step in this time.

Dave Hibbert, NAM trustee, acquisitions.

Does anybody know what happened to the llanbedr airframe and the former Phoenix 19 at brunty back in the mid 1980’s when Nev martin owned it, over to you forumites

We have a former 222 sqn airframe in the guise of wt651 she is sporting 222 colours she pre dates your picture as she is an F1 as opposed to the F4 you speak of, but the reason I mention it is due to the fact that at least some aircraft still have the colours of now defunct squadrons of the RAF. Oh by the way she is Newark air museum in Nottinghamshire and what’s more she is under cover and next too other aircraft from the same period, thanks for sharing the photo and for the mention of 222 sqn.

David Hibbert, Newark air museum, trustee.

Hi Scott the Mig was with the swiss navy in the second gulf war, “honest” chuckle. Love your posses and the kit.

It maybe german then if it was brought out of the wash