Wall of Hats: RAF Museum

[Ewan Whosearmy]

The RAF Museum is apparently constructing a 'wall of 80 hats' to kick off its '100 year' exhibition.

While an improvement over other initiatives of the new CEO, I have to say I am bit baffled.

Today our CEO Maggie Appleton is giving a hand to our Collections Department with the installation of a 'Wall of Hats' that will welcome visitors to our new #exhibition (https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/content/?keywords=%23exhibition&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) 'RAF Stories, The First 100 Years 1918–2018'. The Wall of Hats contains 80 #RAF (https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/content/?keywords=%23RAF&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) hats and represents all the services and trades within the RAF.

If you are a LinkedIn member, you can get it first hand here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1370152/

[Wander00]

If it is the CENTENARY year, why 80 hats? Or am I especially thick this morning

[goudie]

Are they brass hats?

[Haraka]

I ask anybody who is also on "Linked in" to peruse the 80 or so titles of staff also listed.
Perhaps a more productive use for most of them might be for each to be standing wearing one of the hats in the "wall".

[ian16th]

Is one of the 80 an oily beret from a V-Bomber Crew Chief?

[MPN11]

I have a very battered 1965 Alkit SD Hat if they wish to augment the Museum's collection ;)

[The Oberon]

Should suit the Paras, as all other members of the services are known as "hats"

[PPRuNeUser0139]

Looks like the RAF Museum has homed in on the non-essential again. :ugh:

Next week: RAF coat hangers through the ages.

[Tankertrashnav]

Not a member of Linkedin, so is there any other way to see this?

[Chugalug2]

TTN, I'm not a member either, but by clicking on EW's OP link I was able to listen to CEO Maggie Appleton's invitation to view the 80 hats on display this summer. I am likewise baffled....

[Union Jack]

The Wall of Hats contains 80 #RAF (https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/content/?keywords=%23RAF&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED) hats and represents all the services and trades within the RAF.

Services? Such as the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps perhaps.....

Jack

PS Any brown ones?

[Chugalug2]

I think that "services" in this instance reflects those within the RAF, such as Medical Services, Music Services, etc, rather than the Services that preceded it, ie the RNAS, and RFC that you instance. Nice try though :D

[Haraka]

Not a member of Linkedin, so is there any other way to see this?
Obviously not naming individuals or those holding posts recognisable from a few years ago at the RAFM, there are apparently these posts among the current incumbency who have shared details on "Linked In":.I suspect there are many more.
.
Artist of The War Poppy Collection: PA & Office Manager at Royal Air Force Museum: Head Of Marketing at The Royal Air Force Museum: Non-Executive Director, Digital Leader, Student of change: Executive Assistant: Director of Visitor and Commercial Development at The Royal Air Force Museum: Public Relations Manager, Royal Air Force Museum: IT Manager at the Royal Air Force Museum: Development Manager at The Royal Air Force Museum: Head of IT at The Royal Air Force Museum: Development Manager at The Royal Air Force Museum: Head of RAF Centenary Programmes at The Royal Air Force Museum: Head of Development at The Royal Air Force Museum: HR Advisor at The Royal Air Force Museum: Head of Exhibitions and Interpretation at The Royal Air Force Museum: Museum Public Events Manager: Head of Finance at Royal Air Force Museum: Interpretation and Exhibitions Manager at Royal Air Force Museum: Head of HR & Volunteering at The Royal Air Force Museum: Museum Public Events Manager: IT Manager at Royal Air Force Museum: Volunteering Manager at The Royal Air Force Museum: Freelance Objects Conservator at The Royal Air Force Museum: Communications Executive: Digital Media at The Royal Air Force Museum: Head of Visitor Experience at The Royal Air Force Museum: Co Editor at Royal Air Force Museum: Heritage Outreach Officer (Engagement and Interpretation) at The Royal Air Force Museum: Visitor Experience Supervisor: Interpretation and Exhibitions Manager at RAF Museum: Events Executive at The Royal Air Force Museum: ComAccess and Learning Officer at The Royal Air Force Museum. Communications Executive: Audience Development: Education Officer at The Royal Air Force Museum: Access and Learning Officer at The Royal Air Force Museum: Education Officer at RAF Hendon Museum London: Communications / Events Manager: Digitisation Officer at The Royal Air Force Museum: Access and Learning Administrator at The Royal Air Force Museum: Education Officer at RAF Hendon Museum London: Corporate Events Manager at Royal Air Force Museum (Telford): Corporate Event Manager at Royal Air Force Museum(London): Visitor Experience Assistant at The Royal Air Force Museum: Museum Curator at Air Force Museum,Telemarketer: HR Assistant at The Royal Air Force Museum: Merchandising Manager at RAF Hendon Museum London: Learning Host at The Royal Air Force Museum: Head of Design at Royal Air Force Museum.:
A bit different from 30 years ago!

[langleybaston]

I would possibly endorse a further exhibition of

"Temporary but smart box-light structures in RAF blue used to hide urinals and cubicles from Royalty when visiting stations such as Marham".

One sees these so fleetingly, and always smelling of new paint. Surely in this Centenary Year we should have a chance to gaze in wonder?

[Pontius Navigator]

I would possibly endorse a further exhibition of

"Temporary but smart box-light structures in RAF blue used to hide urinals and cubicles from Royalty when visiting stations such as Marham".

One sees these so fleetingly, and always smelling of new paint. Surely in this Centenary Year we should have a chance to gaze in wonder?

Brilliant. The one at Waddo for Fag Ash Lil in 1960s we magnolia. I also had the job of polishing the bog walls. They were aluminium and a bit shabby. One of the flying clothing workers who was helping me organised a load of wadpol and stuff for cleaning Lightnings. Did a brilliant job. Once sitting down, where ever you looked there was a mirrored shine surface :)

[Haraka]

[QUOTE=Ewan Whosearmy;10132039]The RAF Museum is apparently constructing a 'wall of 80 hats' to kick off its '100 year' exhibition.

While an improvement over other initiatives of the new CEO, I have to say I am bit baffled.

Why are you surprised ? Maggie Appleton (RAFM CEO) spent several years exploiting the cultural heritage of Luton, once the hat-making capital of England.

It's probably something she knows a bit about.,

[Lima Juliet]

Reminds me of the hat wearing needs of Kandahar and the Det WO standing by the food hall. Some wag wrote on the blast wall next to where he used to stand:

“What did you do in the war daddy?”

”I was in the Hat Police, son...”

”Daddy? What’s a w^nker?”

[treadigraph]

It's probably something she knows a bit about.,

Talking out of one? :p

[ricardian]

I wonder if the trades will include all the older, obsolescent trades such as Wireless Operator, Wireless Operator (A), Teleprinter Operator, Telegraphist II, Telegraphist II(A) Telegraphist I, Telegraphist I(A) and Tape Relay Operator.
One of the ancient Drill Instructors that we had in our Boy Entrant draft (38th Entry) in 1959 told us in a rare, unguarded moment that he had signed on well before WW2 and that his first RAF trade was "Driver, Steam".

[MPN11]

... and I recall Painter & Finisher, and indeed a Carpenter who transferred to the RAF Regt when he was a corporal, and eventually became a WO ;)

Not to mention the RAF Marine Branch in toto, whose officers all transferred to GD(G)ATC in their last throes to see out their Service.

[Haraka]

Chugalug2;10132521]TTN, I'm not a member either, but by clicking on EW's OP link I was able to listen to CEO Maggie Appleton's invitation to view the 80 hats on display this summer. I am likewise baffled..

I must also confess when I first witnessed The CEO on the RAFM Facebook site expounding the "80 Hats" rationale, that an impression of a hyper-caffeinated "Philomena Cunk" sprang to mind.

( See : https://web.facebook.com/rafmuseum/videos/10156326398802612)

As for "Philomena Cunk" : Well , that's a personal choice for entertainment.

[Jackonicko]

Haraka,

You really couldn't make it up.

It would be hilarious, were it a spoof.

The fact that it's true is just deeply sad, and reflects how far the RAFM has strayed from what should be its remit.

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[DANbudgieman]

Might I suggest the addition of an eighty first hook in the forlorn hope that Ms Appleton can collect her hat and.coat then do us all a favour and bugger of somewhere her "talents" are better appreciated.

[Mechta]

Maybe Ms Appleton had the last scene from "The Full Monty" in mind? (From 2:45):
Full Monty Last Scene

[Wander00]

What are the RAF Museum Trustees up to letting this nonsense happen

[Haraka]

What are the RAF Museum Trustees up to letting this nonsense happen
For the constitution of the Board of Trustees see :
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/our-board-of-trustees.aspx

Also note the composition and backgrounds of the RAF Museum "Senior Managers" ( Both links are under rafmuseum)

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/our-senior-management-team.aspx

I make no comment.

[NutLoose]

Are you sure she never walked into the cloakroom or lost property and mistook it for an art installation... and no one had the heart to correct her.

Roll on the 126 and a 1/2 mounted rolls of shiny loo rolls installation to celebrate the 100 years of A**holes running the show, the only Government white paper ever to have been worth a sh*te.

I gave up at page two of the trustees and it was soul destroying, as for the Senior managers, not one of them have ever served so haven't a clue about what the RAF is, and that is being born out in the dross we are seeing.

[Union Jack]

I gave up at page two of the trustees and it was soul destroying, as for the Senior managers, not one of them have ever served so haven't a clue about what the RAF is, and that is being born out in the dross we are seeing.

Well, to be fair, at least one of the Trustees, Mr Alan Coppin, is shown as having previously been "Non-Executive Director of the Royal Air Force", although I don't know just how important that is relative to a former CAS.....

Jack

[Wander00]

One Trustee, Glenn Torpy, who has been in the RAF, indeed a former CAS. One Trustee seems to have (had) a connection with Carillon.

Senior managers list could explain why Cosford Museum always seems so good (run by a retired RAF officer) and Hendon seems to be losing its way, IMHO of course

[Haraka]

Well, to be fair, at least one of the Trustees, Mr Alan Coppin, is shown as having previously been "Non-Executive Director of the Royal Air Force", although I don't know just how important that is relative to a former CAS.....

Jack

Do See:
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/non-executive-directors/
I.E. Civilians brought in as consultants by CAS............

[Union Jack]

Do See:
https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/non-executive-directors/
I.E. Civilians brought in as consultants by CAS............

Grand maternally ovivorous or what - I was simply making a light-hearted response to Nutty's post!

Jack

[Rigga]

Well, I for one (1) think it’s absolutely wonderful and goes hand-in-hand with the new ‘Brand’.(did you see what I did there!)
...should we do gloves next? Thinking of building down to Shoes (or should that be gender neutral footwear?)

[langleybaston]

I wonder if the trades will include all the older, obsolescent trades such as Wireless Operator, Wireless Operator (A), Teleprinter Operator, Telegraphist II, Telegraphist II(A) Telegraphist I, Telegraphist I(A) and Tape Relay Operator.
One of the ancient Drill Instructors that we had in our Boy Entrant draft (38th Entry) in 1959 told us in a rare, unguarded moment that he had signed on well before WW2 and that his first RAF trade was "Driver, Steam".

The MT WO at RAF Nicosia in 1962 either had been, or said he once knew, a "Rigger Airships".

[NutLoose]

I worked with a Cpl (Dick I) while on Chinooks and he managed to stop the whole room and had everyone aghast with the line... "when I was on Sunderlands"

Mind you Taff Walkers line on the Station open day when he espied a Mk19 Spit, "When I last saw one of those it was on the classified list and I couldn't get near it" was a hard one to beat.

Also met a couple of Aerial erectors out in Germany sharing transit accomodation, even then they were a dying trade, as were the painters and dopers and the station chippies.

[It's Not Working]

.
Also met a couple of Aerial erectors out in Germany sharing transit accomodation, even then they were a dying trade.

Dying trade! They were still going strong when I left in 2009, what’s happening out there? I first crossed their path in 73 when any dying they were doing was through alcohol poisoning. They were far more sober when last I met them in the late 90s. To keep on topic has the RAFM got one of their hard hats?

To go off topic dad was a FS 'druggist' during 39-45 which would translate to medical dispenser today.

[Jackonicko]

The fact that all three of the senior management team are women, two of them from the same organisation (the Royal Armouries) and with none of them having any demonstrable interest in, passion for or experience of the Royal Air Force strikes me as perverse, at least.

Though their predecessors, who let the Belfast rot until it was unsalvageable, and who cluttered up the museum with Spanish flying boats, Polish (?) MiG-15s and US-marked aircraft had hardly set much of an example, IMHO.
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[Haraka]

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.

[Blacksheep]

There weren't any "Hats" in the Royal Air Force when I was in the service. We only had Berets and Service Dress Caps neither of which were worn in the work place. Their sole purpose was to hide one's hair from the SWO when outdoors in the domestic area. .

[Haraka]

Despite the efforts of the current administration to turn the RAFM in to an entry free fun day out for all the family, it would appear that they are nowhere yet near success in that objective, at least according to a recent Daily Telegraph survey of the leading 23 London family day out attractions.See: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/best-family-days-out-in-london-for-under-5-pounds
Perhaps for those who go to museums to quietly study and learn ( rather than to be "entertained") there is a back-handed positive aspect to this situation- for the time being at least .