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DO NOT HANG up your aeroplanes. IWM / Sci Mus

Posted by JDK on Tue Sep 02, 2003 02:56:02 PM

In reply top Re. Mostly - DO NOT HANG up your aeroplanes. Bad, bad idea posted by Tony C on Tue Sep 02, 2003 08:37:07 AM

Dear Tony,
I think you are thinking of the only surviving fabric winged Hurricane Mk.1 in the world, which is at the Science Museum, not the IWM. I agree it's very patched and rather ropey. The Science Museum airframes are (I understand deliberately) not repainted, but patched when required, but the S6 Schneider trophy machine looked awful with paint flaking off. Trouble is, that's the original paint, badly applied I understand. As an original artifact, repainting removes a layer of historical documentation that can never be replaced.

BTW The IWM doesn't get off the hook though. Their highly original Spit 1 has thoroughly crunched radiator and oil cooler covers caused by being lowered onto them from the roof - just have a look next time you visit. To be fair, this was a long time ago, and under a previous director, but still shockingly amateur.
Cheers
James

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