Okay so can I suggest that we “suggest” a project and then take it from there

In what way Phillip? Most posters here would disagree with you over the Bomber Command Hall I think. The way the Fairy Battle has been shoved in a corner behind some temporary fencing for months & months is disgraceful.

Perhaps you’d care to elaborate?

Sound Effects and the Battle of Britain Audio-Visual presentation are excellent. However, I do agree that the condition and position of some of the airframes is a concern. I’m not that keen on the new tin can, nor the upright tin opener. When I visited the museum in March (11th?) I was taken aback by the lack of enthusiasm for the sculpture – this by the staff. Attention to detail was also a concern. I wonder how long that plastic lining is going to last before someone slashes it with a knife? The glass encased life was appreciated – pity they didn’t manage to clean the top of the lift (covered in dust) as it raised to your level. The aircraft were “okay”, but I do feel they have the space to add maybe two more fighter-size airframes. I would add a meteor and maybe the aforementioned Battle.

Regarding the sculpture, I’d paint it red and stick a plastic Red Arrow Hawk replica at the top – rotating.

Take it from me that piping wartime songs over a tannoy does not work. It’s corny and silly.

I was at a now defunct Aviation Museum on the Isle of Wight and my trip was ruined by Max Bygraves and his “Run Rabbit, Run”, etc. The Second World War was a serious business and yes music did play its part to raise morale, but IMHO it only makes things worst to have it playing in a museum environment. I think the RAF Museum’s Bomber Command Hall has got it right… (Same goes for the Battle of Britain Hall).

Comet and Trident ALIVE and WELL @ Gatwick

Regarding Gatwick’s Comet, I can confirm that as of August 25th this aircraft is still alive and well…

On 17th August I emailed the following to Gatwick Press Office:

Hello

I’m writing concerning both the Comet and Trident (both grounded airframes) located at Gatwick. I have been informed that both of these aircraft have been scrapped. Question: can you confirm this? I’m very much concerned about the future of our aviation heritage and accordingly I hope that these rumours are just that…

I look forward to your reply.

Kind Regards

Phillip Rhodes

On 25th August they emailed the following

Hi Phillip

Sorry for the delay in responding to you. The Comet and Trident had to be removed from our viewing platform as we’ve started construction work up there. They’ve been put on the airfield for safekeeping until a permanent place has been found for them. They’ve not been scrapped – please don’t worry!

Kind Regards

Karen (Gatwick Press Office)

..but many people can’t see the point (boom, boom!) 😀

That joke could mean promotion or death, my dear…(Spike Milligan)

Sadly although XV208 survives, dear old snoopy was taken behind the shed (Marshalls Cambridge) and shot 😮 Like other retired RAF C130s, those not scrapped (very few were), XV208 was refurbished and sold on. This according to someone on the Marshalls display stand at this year’s Waddington Air Show.

Now I would like to see one or two preserved?

Lewisham?

I like to throw in these things to keep you lot on your toes…. :p

Not really, none of them were indoors. External ‘preservation’ is, in most cases, merely a euphemism for postponing the inevitable, whether by five years or fifty.

True, but in the interim some large airframes will no doubt move undercover (Cosford and Duxford and Newark and Lewisham).