MUSEUM NEWS
This page is intended to provide news of activities at Flixton for non-members. It is written by the Chairman - Ian Hancock - and will be updated occasionally.
It is now February 2008 and twelve months since my last informal report so I shall include mention of progress made with earlier projects as well as new subjects.
2007 was one of the worst years to-date for outdoor working, owing to rain very often on the days most of our volunteers’ regularly attend. The new entrance road bridge was completed early in the year but general site maintenance was a headache with a lot of wet grass around, and work on those of our aircraft displayed outdoors was greatly reduced. Fortunately, the minority of our airframes reside there, although they tend to be the larger ones. Our Javelin FAW.9R did receive a lot of attention and a repaint, and over the Winter months the Sea Vixen FAW.1 was moved forward onto new concrete pads, and raised up on new axle stands. The resident rabbit and mole population had caused the original pads to sink slightly after many years but the move provides a better view of this important type. Similar work was carried out for the Super Sabre and both aircraft are on the list for repainting; the Mystere and T-33 have both been fitted with new nosewheel stands. We are looking around for some working platforms to provide better access to the larger airframes, particularly the Valetta, plus perhaps a second-hand “cherrypicker” of sorts if in good order and not too expensive.
Our Guide Book is presently being updated by Bob Cossey for Easter - after only two years it is very out-of-date about our collection and what we are doing at Flixton. Certainly our Archivist, Paddy Potter, has recorded a significant growth over this period in the number of items donated and aircraft acquired (total artefacts on display now top 23,000 and airframes total 60 including cockpits). The full list of aircraft held is produced elsewhere in the website but 2007 saw the following arrive: a Belgian Hunter F6 cockpit; a Jet Provost T.3A, a MiG-15bis (Czech C-103), plus microlights: Eurowing Goldwing and Skycraft/Flylite Super Scout 250. Owing to space restrictions we had to turn down some other offers. We plan to repaint the MiG-15bis in dual Czech and Polish markings as a memorial to aircrew from these nations who escaped from enemy occupation but lost their lives serving with the RAF in WWII; the general public seems largely unaware of these sacrifices. We are in need of a radio aerial pylon and a pitot to make the airframe look more complete - an engine would be nice too. We also gained a Redifon Jet Provost simulator but will have to make up power packs.
Owing to leaks, it became necessary for Ken Huckle to design and construct a new roof for our old steel-framed workshop, which is around 10m square, plus install a new floor. This gave the impetus for a thorough sort of items held under the heading of “it might come in handy” and several skips were filled as a result. Spare aircraft components are now being examined and identified, to be held in a single storage building. A major rewiring exercise has been going on in several buildings over several months by our “sparks” team led by Ivan Last. Preparations for the proposed Ken Wallis Hall have been making steady progress since the design was changed so that a much larger structure is now possible. Several generous donations have been received and, whilst grants are being pursued, we are having discussions with contractors for a mid-year start.
The larger building will also house some of our larger non-aircraft exhibits, including perhaps the JP simulator, wind tunnel models, Shackleton Ward Room section, several Tornado fault-finding computer training screens, air transportable over-snow tracked vehicle, a missile display, the walk-in Canberra PR.3 cockpit reproduction presently under construction, and a WWII Mk1a Airborne Lifeboat (number MKVIII) flown by Warwicks. We acquired the boat (a hull shell) from a Norfolk collector during the year, in derelict condition, and after due consideration set a budget for restoration work. Our own collection of ASR drawings did not extend to providing information on a rebuild but, thanks to copies from the RAF Museum, very good results have been achieved by David Dawson. Whilst original materials could not always be used, it now has a deck, gunwales, lockers, fittings and a mast; other missing components are being sourced or replicated. Few of these early boats exist these days so it is pleasing to have one for display to illustrate another important section of RAF history. Unfortunately, it is too big to place inside our ASR display building, which is already bursting at the seams with artefacts; we hope to extend this building this year to accommodate more small items and boat models.
The annual visitor total for the year was again just over 30,000, and special events during the year were well attended. We run a number of annual events so these dates are pre-set for 2008 but we are happy to be approached by organisations interested in using our site especially on a Sunday - see the Events page on this site. Vintage/veteran vehicle gatherings are particularly popular - having the Buck Inn next door is attractive for its good menu. Flypasts by member Maurice Hammond in his Mustang, plus others, provide very welcome added attractions and demonstrate aircraft in their natural element - in the air. Our President, Wing Commander Ken Wallis, often over-flies in one of his autogyros and undertakes aerial photography for us. On event days he is usually surrounded by enthusiastic visitors, often viewing his James Bond “Little Nellie” example. She is to be placed on loan, for a year from April, to the Imperial War Museum in London for static display within the proposed Ian Fleming exhibition - the creator of James Bond.
My biography of Ken (“The Lives Of Ken Wallis”), the enlarged 4th Edition published in 2007, is on sale in our Shop and already heading for a reprint - there are a few copies left of a special “flown & signed” Limited Edition. Ken was the subject of a documentary by NTV Moscow in October and we entertained a camera crew and reporter for a day. Most of the filming took place in and above (using a helmet camera) Ken’s hangar at Reymerston Hall in Norfolk, with some footage at Flixton, and I provided some commentary on our Colditz glider for a different episode of the series. They plan to return to feature the museum in a future episode of this aviation series. We display Ken’s flyable replica of the “Wallbro” Monoplane, which he built in the 1970s, so this was of interest to them, plus our large collection generally. The original “Wallbro” was constructed between 1908 and 1910 near Cambridge by his father and uncle. It made a few hops before a storm wrecked its hangar and contents. Sugg’s weekly ITV London programme also featured Ken early in February but reference to him surviving a parachute jump from a Wellington crash-landing in WWII brought a smile to Ken’s lips. An official from Slovenia came to see us earlier in the year to gather information to aid the creation of a national aviation collection in his own country. The value of volunteers’ support was emphasised!
Our Education Officer - Pam Veale - has been particularly busy over recent months compiling Loan Boxes, filled with interesting and educational aviation items for local schools to examine, and organising their structured visits to the museum to study WWII artefacts. Numerous hands-on gadgets have been made by Ray Kidd to help explain things such as Morse Code, Field telephones and airborne radios; the contents of a survival pack always fascinates the pupils. Several members talk of their personal experiences as civilians surviving enemy bombs, and others of flying operations - we use the Valetta as a classroom for added interest. Ray Allard explains the role of the ROC, David Wright speaks on the work of the ASR, and Alan Hague recalls the operations undertaken by the local 446th Bomb Group USAAF. Our Link Trainer team led by Ray Kidd is on duty these days as a “flight” by the children is seen as the climax of the visit. For the less adventurous, we have converted our fourth Link - a static ANT-18 - to take a computer screen with a flight simulation program.
The Link units are located in our Link Room, which is intended to reflect Service training. It is full of WWII and later items, many sectioned components, aerial targets, large-scale models of RAF training aircraft, plus a large collection of working gun sights for visitors to line up on aircraft silhouettes. A display of Queen Bee components is being assembled at the moment and light entertainment is provided by a wartime R1155. There was not enough room for our K Type Camera Training Gun so it is now sited near the Morse Key table in No.1 Hangar - blasting a plastic aircraft high in the roof via our laser sight modification attracts not just children; the fathers have to thoroughly test it first! A very popular exercise has been to gather childhood memories of World War II from members and visitors for children to read - some of the authors are then on site to answer their questions. We think that it is worthy of publication and this may happen later in the year. Our website is regularly updated with new information by Lester Curtis, who also arranges dedicated Cub Scout days for them to gain their Air Activity badge.
Our new and large display of bombsights is an added attraction in the Bomber Command building, plus there has been an expansion of exhibits in the 446th Bomb Group building. The ROC collection has also seen a modest increase in artefacts, and the planned expansion of the ASR collection is covered above. A permanent task for some of us is to keep up with researching visitors’ queries, and the identification and captioning of artefacts for display. Visitors appreciate being able to read about an item, and ask questions of members. Very occasionally we learn that our information is incomplete and it is good to talk to someone with first-hand knowledge. We find it very valuable to have a permanent “artist in residence” and our Joint Hon. Vice President - John Constable Reeve - performs this role to perfection. If we need an oil or watercolour depicting an aircraft or event, a backdrop to a display, or an heraldic design applied, John can provide it at short notice if he is not undertaking a commission. The aviation wall decorations in our ladies’ toilet are unique, albeit unsigned!
Display space is always a problem owing to the growth of our collection but owning our 7.5-acre site does make things easier when new buildings are called for. Apart from what has been mentioned above, and other long-term development thoughts, we have nearly finished extending an area between two existing display rooms beyond the Shop - originally a linking corridor - to full building width. Part of this new area will show Anderson and Morrison shelters, plus contemporary Home Front items, to cater for school visits in particular. Huby Fairhead has already assembled a large display of household items relevant to a 1940s cottage and these bygones promote a lot of interest with children and adults alike. Remember the tin bath on a Friday night? Our site is not all dedicated to aviation - a couple of acres is a Willow plantation and a raised boardwalk provides a pleasant stroll down to the river Waveney. Huby keeps an eye on this and provides identification of small plants that spring up in addition to the main caption boards covering birds, reptiles, etc.
Our Spitfire XVI fuselage, recreated from the original skin panels/components of TD248 when being returned to flying condition, is an ongoing project. Whilst the cockpit interior is slowly gaining original instruments, a control column is being assembled by Ken Huckle from original and new components; rarity and cost prohibits this being entirely original. If there is a generous person out there, however, ……….! The wings and tail feathers of our restored Luton Major (G-APUG) are presently being cleaned and varnished by Derek Small in readiness for mounting in un-covered condition to show the method of construction - something few museums think of doing but is of great interest to visitors. The missing undercarriage will be constructed from GA drawings in due course. The Civil Air Patrol, Fairchild F24 C8F (NC16676) has not been advanced further apart from re-covering and painting both wings. Re-stocking the cockpit of Lightning DB/F1 (XG329) is progressing and we are sticking to its one-time F.1 configuration as near as possible. Missing instrument panels need to be remade and cockpit photographs were kindly supplied by RAF Cosford of the only other Development Batch complete example surviving in the UK (XG337); it is now suspended on high in the Cold War Exhibition.
Our restored Pundit Light has almost gained back all its components, and new mudguards have been sourced. The Civil Defence Signal Office (Small) has been inside for the Winter and retains much of its original interior. This acts as a base for amateur radio activities, plus the annual gathering of VMARS members in May. We have mounted it on a wheeled chassis for towing in the absence of a Thames Fordson lorry body being available.
The three V-bomber cockpits on loan have not received much attention but our members have made new door-lock components for the Vulcan so that security can be restored and all equipment moved back inside. Wheeled stands have been acquired by the owners of the Victor and Valiant, and the task of converting them to receive the cockpits is in our queue of jobs. The Valiant will require a lot of work to seal the rear of the flight deck to make it secure and a walk-in exhibit. All three cockpits are intended to be accessible by visitors at some future date.
Whilst we can boast a large range of skills within our volunteers, there is always room to gain knowledge and the BAPC’s National Aviation Heritage Skills Initiative, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has produced an invaluable range of one-day courses; 24 of our volunteers had attended between one and six by the year-end. These courses are accredited by City & Guilds and, whilst sitting a test paper is voluntary, 16 members gained a total of 51 Certificates between them. The NAHSI team is quartered at Duxford. We have a lot of contact with Duxford’s permanent staff and are always grateful for their willing support. We are happy to reciprocate when called upon.
The year ahead should see the usual hive of activity, including a catch-up on aircraft painting, with us gaining both an enlarged display area and a large new display building, improved exhibit layouts, more exhibits, and a tidier site. The jobs list doesn’t seem to reduce.
For Sale! We have a RELIANT ANT TW9E, three-wheeled tipper truck for sale: Ł750 ono. It is an “E” registration (?1988) with 15,013 miles on the clock. It has been our site runabout for a couple of years so has no tax or MOT but we now have a van so it is not needed. It was completely stripped down and returned to running order after some years in storage but the tipper action was not reactivated as we simply wanted an open truck for moving equipment around the site. Further work is required to put it back into its original condition for the road. Phone us on 01986 896644.
Ian Hancock
February 2008
2007
Entering a new year always provokes a mixture of enthusiasm and mild panic - the latter as a result of wondering where the last few months have gone and a winter jobs’ list that hasn’t shrunk by much! Having said that, through a period of both very cold and exceptionally mild weather a full team of volunteers has been attending. The doors of the blister hangar have been stripped, primed and painted, most of the internal wiring in this and the seven display buildings has been replaced - over a hundred light fittings had been modernised earlier on - a 25ft run of new shelving has been made, installed and painted in the hangar sales area (an important fundraiser), the rebuild of the incomplete Bygraves-Taylor G-BABY completed, and several metal stands made for large exhibits. The badly damaged fuselage of the incomplete Luton Major (G-APUG), a fairly new acquisition, has been expertly rebuilt. We plan to display the aircraft with wings, tailplane, etc., devoid of fabric to illustrate the method of construction. A very mixed bag which illustrates the skills and versatility of our members. Running an aviation museum isn’t just about aircraft!
The most important project, however, was to replace the road bridge over a stream at the entrance to our site. A member, who is a qualified structural engineer, provided the design, specifications and drawings for the builder. He also led a small team to construct handrails, gates, and the decorative infill panels; our paint team finished them off. We now have a greatly improved “front of house” image and a bridge much wider and stronger than before. Our Forward Plan identifies the next major project as erecting a display building, measuring around 50 feet square to our own design, between the two hangars so grant-chasing is on the horizon. In years to come, this building will display the aviation collection presently at Reymerston Hall of our long-serving President, Wing Commander Ken Wallis, and it will bear his name.
The recent gales did little damage fortunately - having a wooded area on our southerly border helps - but a section of tail fabric was stripped from the Canberra T.4, and some fencing went down. The latter was damaged earlier when a herd of cattle grazing next door managed to pick the lock and escape onto the main road. Following the scent to the adjacent pub, a few then decided to explore our front aircraft park and didn’t let a fence deter them. The farmer immediately delivered a quantity of wood and top soil - the latter to fill in the divots, which should please the resident moles - and we took the opportunity to replace some sections and add new runs around aircraft.
The restored Sycamore HR.14 (XG518) resides back in RAF Air-Sea Rescue yellow, and the missing tail- rotors and stabiliser were expertly replicated by members. One main rotor blade had been cut down to six feet but the missing section was fabricated and easily passes inspection from the visitors’ walkway. New nose glazing was produced off site but the remainder of the cockpit Perspex was cut and fixed in place by members. Most of the missing instrumentation has been fitted but no luck so far in locating a winch, a pair of H aerials, and Perspex casevac doors. A surprised visitor, living only a few miles away, found he had been a member of her ground crew for two years in Aden and provided several fascinating photographs. These include one of him changing the nosewheel the easy way - with the aircraft hovering just off the ground! We had to fit a new leg the hard way.
The other Sycamore exhibit (XG523), purchased as a derelict cockpit, has received similar treatment and may provide visitors with the chance to operate controls. In the meantime, the cut-down main rotor blades turn noisily for 20 seconds or so when young visitors press a button, as the rotor head is now connected to a geared electric motor. A photo of the aircraft in Army camouflage enabled an accurate paint scheme to be applied, and it has been made as complete as possible by using up the components left over from the rebuild of 518. A Leonides engine will be displayed nearby once a frame is made.
The Boulton & Paul hangar erected in 2003/4 is home to the Anson C.19/2, Felixstowe F5 Flying Boat nose section, Fairchild F.24, Flying Flea, Fokker DVIII scale replica, Wallbro Monoplane, Gowland Jenny Wren, Bygraves-Taylor Titch, Tiger Cub microlight, four gliders: Rooster I/Grunau Baby III/Pegasus II/Colditz Cock replica, and three and a half helicopters: Widgeon, the two Sycamore HR.14s and Whirlwind 7. Unfortunately, there was no space for our Whirlwind 10. The Rooster, Grunau Baby, Pegasus and Tiger Cub are suspended in the roof area, and some of the other aircraft have been raised off the ground to enhance viewing and maximise the floor display space. A work area has been left in the middle of the hangar and this has been a useful space for wing repairs and fabric/dope application. Two damaged wings from a Stearman are next and we hope more spare components will come our way.
Our rare 1936 Fairchild F.24 C8F (c/n 3101- NC16676 - and the second of its type and oldest surviving) has been transformed from a skeletal frame to a recognisable aeroplane, resplendent in a red and yellow trim paint scheme. It bears the fuselage emblem of the Civil Air Patrol - minus the central red propeller design as was customary for Coastal Patrol aircraft to avoid the possibility of friendly fire. The nose carries the correct badge for Base 17 where she served, which was at Riverhead, Long Island, and the tailfin also bears the Fairchild logo of its age. Both made possible as a result of the skills of our “resident artist” John Constable Reeve - a long-time member. One wing has been rebuilt, and the other repaired and now receiving fabric. A bombsight was manufactured per a CAP Museum drawing (looking something like a sextant and of similar size) and it is fitted on the outside of the Observer’s door. An authentic bomb shackle mounting was also constructed from a contemporary drawing and fitted in place. The bomb shackle itself and 100lb bomb (inert!) are authentic, having been left behind by the 446th Bomb Group USAAF when they vacated Bungay airfield, adjacent to the museum, in 1943.
We have examined a number of different mountings employed to take the footplates, which were attached to the undercarriage legs, but it is clear that our aircraft has an unconventional undercarriage. We also need photographs of a C8F cabin interior for the period, especially for the rear seat arrangement, fittings, lining, etc., but the metal front seats have been rebuilt and are now leather covered. Information is also needed on the design of the 90-seconds’ flare chute unit that was fitted so that suitable apertures can be made in the fuselage behind the Observer’s door.
We have traced the full history of ownership and from July 1942 the aircraft was owned by CAP 2nd Lt Frederick Stacy Gilley of Madison Avenue; we have a poor print of him wearing his protective “zoot” suit. We would like to trace family members to see if his Log Book still survives as this might identify the number of missions flown - in the early days of CAP such detail was left to be recorded by pilots. We could then reflect these by way of chevrons painted on the port side of the fuselage just behind the door, as was the fashion. In April 1943, the ownership of the aircraft passed to Dr Harvey Lee Casebeer, and he may have left it on the base for CAP pilots to fly on coastal patrols. The history of the CAP in its early days, formed with crystal ball vision just six days before Pearl Harbor was attacked, is quite fascinating and worth reading up on. A copy of From Maine To Mexico by Louis E Keefer is very reasonably priced from the CAP Historical Foundation. To the best of our knowledge, our C8F is the only CAP exhibit outside of the US and we are pleased for it to commemorate the determination and bravery of the CAP Coastal Patrol Pilots and Observers in WWII.
Late in 2005 we were given a damaged example of a 1970s Kiceniuk Icarus II sweptwing, biplane, tail-less hang-glider. We repaired the tubular frame and replaced the fabric following inconsiderate (or possibly amorous) treatment from other residents in the barn where it was kept! We are grateful to Taras Kiceniuk, the US designer, for providing a full set of plans to help us with the restoration. The identity of our small section of a Shackleton “tail-dragger” fuselage, housing the Ward Room bunks and galley, has been traced to WR971. It is gradually being tidied up, including the mass of “black boxes” beneath the lower of the three bunks. The rest of the fuselage resides with collectors in the region.
The Air Ministry Airfield Identification Beacon (Pundit Light) has left the Restoration Centre following restoration and is almost in full working order, whereas the wood-framed 1950s Civil Defence (Small) Signal Office has been completely restored. In the absence of the Fordson ET6 chassis, it is now trailer-mounted for mobility and we plan to use it as a base for amateur radio activities once an aerial is erected. We have added some internal signal equipment and telephones but need more items. We also have to manage without a contemporary door handle and lock for the “stable” door arrangement.
Our large ejector seat collection has been sorted out and arranged for better viewing with explanatory captions but we could do with a member who has knowledge of their operation to work on them. Now that the fuselage of the Short SB.4 Sherpa is with us on loan, a number of exhibits have been moved to create space. We hope to create walk-in partial cockpit displays for a Canberra PR3 (we have the complete cockpit interior of WE168) and a Vulcan - we have the nose of an RAF wooden simulator.
The E.E. P1.B/DB Lightning (XG329) has gained a pilot’s ladder for an RAF Lightning following conversion to fit, and a ground-running intake. The aircraft is raised on specially-made axle stands to protect the tyres, and the nose on the starboard side has been painted in its original English Electric F.1 marketing colours of the early 1960s. Whilst an instructional airframe at RAF College Cranwell some of the instruments were removed for a classroom rig and then later discarded instead of being returned to the cockpit so we are looking at finding an early column and pedals, to remaking panels and fitting contemporary instruments. Problem is deciding exactly what era to pick as she went through upgrades from a development aeroplane to F.1 and then F.3 so was likely a hybrid internally. We hope that interior photographs might still exist at Cranwell and await a response to enquiries.
The B&P hangar is 90ft wide and the hardwood/Perspex display cabinet built by members, extending the full length of the building, is now full. It is compartmentalised to provide an interesting range of subjects for visitors to view and artefacts include: aircraft radios dating from WWI, radar and airborne electronic counter-measure equipment, ground radio, Women In Uniform, Beccles Heliport, RAFA, ATC, Glider Pilot Regiment/Army Air Corps, RAF Coltishall, RAF Marham, RAF Fire Service, Naval Aviation, several squadrons with whom we have links, a ‘50s model-maker’s den and WWII Home Front 1940s cottage room. Several glass cabinets have come in from other museums and hold a variety of things including aircraft models. The Bungay/Flixton airfield was home to the 446th Bomb Group USAAF, then the Fleet Air Arm and finally RAF Maintenance Units, so our Collection Policy is very broad.
The blister hangar, erected in the 1980s, now provides a permanent home to the Vampire T11, Lightning P1.B/DB, Sea Harrier FA2, Spitfire II Battle of Britain film replica, 695 Squadron Spitfire XVI fuselage, Piston Provost T.1, EoN Primary and Grasshopper gliders, a Bensen B.7, Flexiform Striker microlight, three hang-gliders: Wasp Falcon 4/Antonov C.14/Kiceniuk Icarus II, the Greenpeace Thunder Balloon, and Short SB.4 Sherpa experimental aircraft. The Bensen, the Primary, two hang-gliders and the microlight have been suspended from the hangar roof to provide maximum ground space for our engine and ejector seat collections, assorted ground equipment, and vehicles including a heli-transportable over-snow, Royal Marines vehicle, and FAA aircraft tugs. Our rare FAA torpedo carrier/loader has now gained a torpedo to demonstrate purpose - albeit that it is a WWI German type.
Suspending aircraft and calculating structure loadings are not tasks to be attempted by amateurs, and professionals are expensive. Fortunately, we have members with many different skills and qualifications, including structural engineering, and foundations/building design. Other sizeable displays here include items of wreckology from numerous Luftwaffe aircraft, PI.A/HP88/Victor wind tunnel models and a civil commercial aviation section; there are also several large-scale aircraft models. The front of the hangar includes our “NAAFI” refreshment and bric-a-brac sections (important revenue earners), and retains a stage and open area for seating and/or display stalls to cater for our numerous special events each year. Our small shop (and web shop) has a wide range of items for sale.
The two hangars are linked by building made up from unused, post-war metalwork when re-erecting the B&P hangar - this houses our working Link Trainers and has an RAF training theme. The early WWII ANT18, and the later D4 (Piston Provost), offer exciting and rare “rides” to visitors whenever we can provide supervision. There is also a D4/2 Jet Provost version, presently floor mounted, and components are steadily being returned to life. Another very wood-wormed ANT18 unit was used for spares but its cockpit has now been restored and houses a computer simulator display, which is being finished off. In between activities, the team restored Duxford’s Link table and it has been returned. We would be happy to hear from others who are restoring or operating Link trainers with a view to sharing knowledge and exchanging components – see our separate website page. It is a pity that more of these important training aids are not held in collections. The room also offers a range of training aircraft models, cut-away exhibits and 9 Squadron memorabilia. There is also an extensive collection of aircraft gun-sights, which visitors can power up for a pilot’s eye view - another activity completed over the winter months. A JP simulator may be coming our way.
In 2005, Richard Noble OBE placed on long-loan a Rolls-Royce Spey 205 engine, which is reserved for the ThrustSSC World Land-Speed Record Car. This remarkable vehicle (reminding me when head-on of a Buccaneer minus wings) went supersonic in 1997 and Flt Lt Andy Green captured the World Record for Great Britain at Mach1.2 (763mph), the average speed of two runs over a I mile course. The R-R Spey 202 engines powering it each developed 22,000 lbs static thrust; the specially-tuned Spey 205 will generate 27,000 lbs - fatigue life, however, is reduced to 60 minutes!
Last year, we received on long-loan examples of all three V-Bombers cockpits from a member but before delivery we had to construct a wheeled frame for the Vulcan nose. The collection provides an exciting expansion of our aircraft types but they need a lot of work and the seats and instrumentation re-fitted before being opened up to visitors. We plan to manufacture another two, wheeled support frames, and perhaps a roof structure over them all. The same member delivered his fully restored cockpit of Sea Vixen FAW.2 XN696 early this month to bring our total number of airframes/cockpits to 52. Thanks to the generosity of the Newark Air Museum, we received a Bloodhound Radar Tracking vehicle to compliment our example of this missile and the array is now in place. Early last year we took delivery of a number of components and rare artefacts to create a large display on the history of in-flight refuelling from the 1930s. The display design is being worked on at the moment.
In addition to the above, we have another six, display buildings to maintain - details elsewhere on our website. Each has a specific theme and changes are often made to the exhibits - usually to squeeze in more objects as we are fortunate to receive a constant stream of donations. An example being a extensive collection of WWII (and later) bomb sights/computers/sighting heads now with us, for feeding into the Bomber Command and 446th Bomb Group display buildings. All artefacts are displayed with detailed captions and this is quite a demanding research task that keeps several members occupied. A lot of varied work is required around our 8-acre site, in addition to general maintenance demands, so there are opportunities for volunteers with all manner of skills and levels of knowledge to join in. New faces are always welcome, with the main working day being a Tuesday.
Aircraft still displayed outdoors are washed at least annually and we try to repaint them every three years. The interiors of all metal buildings have received an anti-condensation coating by Grafo Products of Saxmundham as, with this country’s winter climate, this is essential for single-skinned, metal buildings. In 2005 we acquired a 30 feet building and it was refurbished and opened as our Museum Archive & Library. Our extensive records are held there, and new acquisitions are also placed in a room for initial examination and logging in. Our Archivists can now accommodate visiting researchers in reasonable surroundings, and it has freed-up much needed space in the office building for equipment and meetings, etc. We also research and respond to a large number of queries from members of the public. As mentioned earlier, the museum database has just exceeded 21,000 objects, and all but a few are on display in the various buildings so we are always grateful for display cases and mannequin models.
Recruitment has been steady for years and some volunteer their services to actively support the museum in a practical way. Consequently, we seem able to tackle most tasks that come along these days. Gaining knowledge and skills as volunteers in our particular field, however, is not always easy but this has now been greatly helped by the British Aviation Preservation Council securing Lottery funding for the creation of courses under the National Aviation Heritage Skills Initiative. A wide range of subjects is available to members and these are also City & Guilds accredited - an extra benefit. 25 members attended between one and four modules on a range of subjects last year and new courses are planned. Members have also received tuition from other bodies on subjects such as First Aid, protecting archive material, and providing education facilities for schools. We must soon also face the rigours of the new accreditation scheme designed for registered museums.
With over 50 aircraft there is always a “wants” list. Our income is regular from a number of sources but, with a “no admission charge” policy from day one in 1972, we do not have a large budget for purchases. We hope that people will donate items, or accept modest payment in recognition of what we do and the public service we provide. In some instances a desirable item appears on eBay but the final bid is often ridiculous and we have to decline; no doubt we are not alone in this. The rebuilt Spitfire XVI fuselage using original components of TD248, for example, required numerous cockpit fittings. Some we have replicated, purchased others and a few original items have come from the ever-helpful Ralph Hull of Hull Aero. With the pilot’s door open, the main item seen to be missing by visitors is a control column - this is now being replicated by a member following installation of rudder pedals and linkage.
To complete the Sycamore HR.14, we need a rescue winch, a pair of H aerials and the two Perspex rear doors. Some instrumentation is required for the pupil stations in our Sea Prince, plus some contemporary instruments for the Fokker Friendship 200 cockpit. Also needed are complete lens units for the landing lights on the Piston Provost legs, plus wingtip navigation light covers for both the Anson C.19/2 and Hunter FGA.9 to replace mock-ups. “Sabrinas” for the latter would also be nice.
2006 turned out to be the busiest year to-date, with the highest number of visitors - over 30,000 - and as we are in our 35th anniversary year we hope to build on this.
Ian Hancock
February 2007