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Re: RAF Museum - Hendon

Posted by Cees Broere on Thu Jan 08, 2004 07:56:45 AM

In reply top Re: RAF Museum - Hendon posted by Tony C on Thu Jan 08, 2004 07:01:28 AM

Tony,

Nice to read that a Brit, while taking pictures in the RAF Museum Hendon of a (British) Halifax is thinking about some Dutch "cloggie" who happens to have a soft spot for the same aircraft. Now that is what I call a compliment. Thanks for that, I nearly fell over laughing.

About that old chesnut,

Well, I know we can trod over the same path over and over again but I think that this IS the time to contemplate a full rebuild (apart from the fact this is fun to re-discuss because new information will always surface).

As the Valiant is going to leave Hendon (the Vulcan too?)leaving a lot of space and according to various reports that the Bomber Command Hall is looking a bit bare now, wouldn't it be a good idea (hypothetically speaking) to use some space left with some sort of workshop where visitors can view restoration work in progress on subsections such as the fuselage. The cockpit could be reasonably easy worked upon because of the modular construction of the Halifax. Also the large sections of the Mickle Fell Stirling (see FP last month) and the Hampden sections could be put on display.

But now is the time for the staff at the RAFM to make some plans to do something with W1048, although she is in very good condition (she was even better in 1973 after recovery) the ugly red preservation coating will not prevent it from deteriorating and in what condition would she be in in fifty years from now. Any aircraft extant in museums are expected to be overhauled or restored every 100 years or so in order to be able to preserve it indefinately.

So, why not make a bit for the National Lottery because this IS a really important monument that really does need good money spent on it.
My views of course

Cees


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