The Beverley did not actually belong to the RAFM and was an administration and funding nightmare for preservation. Senior management at the time were scared stiff that it might collapse and injure visitors.To cite another example, it was estimated that to bring the Halifax up to full exhibition standard would totally absorb the preservation budget for at least half a decade.
The loan of the Do 24 was part of a move toward the RAFM showing some context of the RAF's development compared to other Air Forces (hence other contemporary airframes were also brought in to support this concept). It was no coincidece that it was put near the Stranraer! I'm not saying that there wasn't perhaps some underlying aspiration towards possibly developing ithe RAFM as a "de facto" National Aviation Collection, in the absence of any formal establishment being created.
The 1970's were different days, with "out stations " being sought by the various big collections and lots of initiatives for expansion were being put forward all round, with a degree of competitiveness very much evident.
Last edited by Haraka; 1st May 2018 at 18:19.