WIX Archives
What the RAFM shuffle should be.
Posted by Stuart on Fri Jul 19, 2002 10:00:47 AM
In reply top RAFM Shuffle? posted by Cees on Tue Jul 16, 2002 05:16:41 AM
Hi everyone,
The RAFM collection seems to me to be a bit mixed up over the two sites and lacking in any coherent structure.
The collection, in my opinion, could be better split into the following categories and divided between the two sites as follows:
All WW1 and inter-war aircraft to Hendon in the 'new' Graham White Hangar. Duplications in the collection would still allow Cosford to display a Bleriot, Camel and Hart from this era.
All WW2 combat aircraft (axis and allied) to be displayed at Hendon in the existing museum 'Belfast Truss' and Bomber Command hangars, thus giving Hendon the world's finest collection of warbirds (not even the NASM or USAFM could get close!). Again, duplications would still give Cosford an enviable WW2 collection including: several Spitfires, Hurricane, Mosquito, Lincoln, 109, noses of Beaufighter and Gladiator and eventually the BBMF Lancaster (it won't fly forever).
All Training aircraft collection to Cosford. This could include the 504, Hart trainer mentioned above, Harvard, Tiger Moth, Oxford and Miles types to add to the WW2 era aircraft already mentioned. The 190, although a trainer should stay at Hendon.
All Transport and airliner aircraft collection to Cosford, including Dragon Rapide, C47, York and Hastings from WW2 era.
All experimental aircraft collection to Cosford, including the Tornado currently at Hendon and the Typhoon rumoured to be on the way soon. Could also include the German jets/rockets : 262, 162, 163 and V2 as these are perhaps more accurately described as experimental aircraft rather than warbirds.
The post war to present day combat aircraft could be fully represented at both sites, with the exception of the Valiant (although they do have a nose section on loan to Brooklands). I would love to see complete examples of the following at Hendon:
Swift (on loan to Tangmere)
Vampire
Venom
Bucanneer (still various examples dotted around MoD sites)
Javelin (Leeming)
Jaguar
Shackleton (St Mawgan or on loan to Manchester)
Victor (Marham)
These could be accomodated (along with the other post war types already at Hendon) in what is now the Battle of Britain Hall. I would rather see this extended to house the Jets (and Shackleton) than build the Milestones of Flight building, which would seem more appropriate at Cosford, which concentrates more on aviation in general (both military and civil).
These plans are only my opinion of what should happen but would surely make Hendon the true RAF museum and give it the world's finest collection of warbirds bar none (not to mention the WW1 types!) and would much better represent the more recent and modern day RAF.
Far from being "pillaged" of it's best exhibits Cosford would probably be the finest 'aerospace' museum in Europe and still contain the third largest collection of warbirds in the country, not to mention the new restoration centre, which is worth a visit in it's own right.
Sadly, the plans and rumours i have heard only seem to increase the confusion and lack of structure at both sites.
If only i was the Director in charge of the RAFM!
Cheers
Stuart
PS sorry, that was a bit long-winded.