Originally Posted by
falcon900
While I am on a roll, I am not sure that paying £250k would be the first and best use of funds by the RAF museum. Surely what is important is recording and recognising the bravery behind it. The piece of metal is just that, and the museum already has plenty of examples of it.
For the absolute avoidance of doubt, I am deeply respectful and appreciative of the selfless bravery and sacrifice which lies behind all medals, not just the VC. Recognition of that is what is important, rather than the piece of metal. Spend the money on telling the stories even better, and forget the medal.
At the rate the RAFM is currently disposing of aircraft, it may be the only exhibit they have left.
If I may play devil's advocate for a moment, buying the medal is probably in line with their current policy, which involves telling the story of the RAF through it's people and their connection to the exhibit. In that way, Scarf's actual VC may have a greater symbolism than a replica and generic Blehniem (or Bolingbroke). . So you would have a visual display that would lead the visitor through Scarf's history and story, with the final point being that singular small medal that encapsulates the whole story, bravery and sacrifice. I remember the sense of history and awe i felt the first time I held a VC (belonging to a friend's grandfather)