…but Hendon has had these kinds of problems for YEARS.

I agree, but it’s not right that a National Museum should continue on this path indefinitely, the management team should be accountable for the decisions they take.

To me the whole place needs a fresh approach, for instance; an events diary that would encourage repeat visits over the year, some designed for the family and some for enthusiasts. It could be as simple as turning the lights on in the Battle of Britain hall or having talks relating to particular aircraft or conflicts etc.

I just feel that these days that the museum feels unloved, the staff although helpful are not in the main interested in aviation and it shows. When I first visited Hendon in the early 80’s there was always a few veterans around walking the halls, they were there because they wanted to be there. Today the majority of the staff are there because there paid to be there.

A good comparison to Hendon is the USAF museum at Dayton, they have a large volunteer team, that help with all manner of tasks, from behind the scenes tours to keeping a watchful eye on the aircraft, when I was there in 2007 they even manned the information desk. The whole museum had a vibrancy about it, there was even a cinema showing various Imax films throughout the day if you had enough of walking around the aircraft and galleries and magnificent memorial gardens.

The team that run the RAFM should be made to visit other National Aviation Collections to see for themselves how poorly RAFM Hendon compares in 2010.

Septic.

Great News, and a very brave decision by the Panton’s.

Does anyone know who will undertake the work, is there a large enough team at EK to undertake the overhaul/rebuild. A few years ago I would have thought the Air Atlantique team at Coventry would have been an ideal candidate for the project given the work they undertook on the BBMF example. Lets just hope that G-ASXX’s return to airworthy status is relatively trouble free and sustainable.

Septic.

When he purchased the Mosquito, after overhaul at PPS the aircraft displayed at Biggin Hill.

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Wonderful images Sim, just added some slight adjustments. Once again Connie Edwards is seen far left.

Try finding a copy of the May 2012 Aeroplane Monthly.☺

I think Ben has done a fantastic job with Aeroplane, but I must admit I preferred the short lived Classic Aircraft, which was sadly axed shortly after key Publishing purchased it.

Very sad news indeed. In the 80’s I bought many just out of date slide films from Barry at bargain prices, back then I had to make 150 shots last the whole day!

A stalwart of the airshow scene, sadly there are very few stall holders left from those days now.