WIX Archives
Re: Halifax W1048
Posted by Cees Broere on Thu Oct 18, 2001 02:53:34 AM
In reply top Halifax W1048 posted by Steve Tournay on Wed Oct 17, 2001 02:47:08 PM
Steve,
Of course there are several ways to display W1048. What I myself have always wondered is:
If they wanted to display her as a monument to an important type, why didn't they make sure the aircraft was as complete as possible. If they fitted the perspex, mounted the engines and the cowlings en made sure the broken off wing was laid out in the correct way then it wouldn't look like a dumped wreck as it is now. In thirty years or so the condition would have deteriorated to such an extent that something should be done anyway, why then don't do it now?
In this condition the aircraft will not exist in 2075. Or they should have built a large aquarium and display the aircraft underwater.
As several of you have also mentioned, the restored turret and engine look totally out of place and you get the feeling even more that they don't care for it. The original plan to divede it into sections and farm it out to several restorations groups (Medway Branch for instance) will still work, this ensures that the restoration will be carried out in a shorter time, deterioration will be halted and have a worthy example of a famous bomber on display.
To finish things off, during one of my many visits to the RAFM, I was looking (again) at W1048 and met someone who was also spending a lot of time looking at her. It turned out he had flown Halifaxes during the Arnhem-operation and it was clear to see that he was delighted to see an example of the type he once flew. But he also said that he had hoped that it would have been restored completely.
Cees