Prototypes.....what airframes are still with us?

[RetiredBA/BY]

Wroughton, just what is going on?

The director and management of the Science Museum don't give a damn, and seem pretty clueless about aviation. Last year I tried to negotiate an extension of the lease of Swindon Model Aircraft Club which had flown at Wroughton for 60 years. The arrogance and hostility, not to mention documented dishonesty, I encountered was just extraordinary. The extension was refused, the airfield just lay idle pending solar farm construction on one part of it.

The Wroughton manager even said, to our club committee, that the aviation objects in store would never be seen by the public again.

Nothing significant has changed at SK for over 21 years, public days at Wrt stopped 5 Years ago BUT the aerospace curator was "too busy" to meet me (just what DOES he do ??)
The Director is also "too busy" to meet me to discuss !
Last year I was at WRT when a sailplane landed out there, he was refused an aero tow retrieve because " it was a danger to the collection", the pilot was a recently retired army officer, a bomb (IED specialist) , couldn't make it up !!
All this absurd waste of OUR aviation heritage is funded by almost £40m of taxpayer's money. What an obscene waste of a publically owned asset.
After spending a lot of time looking into the management of the aviation aspects of the Science Museum and amassing a very large file of information using mainly the FOI act I am utterly convinced that this aspect of our aviation heritage is being managed in a totally unacceptable way.

[Wander00]

I heartily agree - I have a bit of an interest as 50 years ago I flew Canberra WD935 into Wroughton on its last flight. The nose has ended up somewhere, but it was an important airframe in its own right having been a trials aircraft. But how do we get those who should be in authority to sit up and take notice. I am happy to write a few letters. I am very sorry the model club has been booted out. I remember taking youngest son to a LMA event there - must be at least 15 years ago.

[henry_crun]

That is such sad news about Wroughton. I remember in its heyday going to open days, seeing all the static aircraft, including some on special request, seeing a fly-in of thousands of private aircraft, lovely to see them all coming in from the north over nothingness, seeing a WWII air display, biggest ever meeting of WWII fighters and bombers, seeing models flown, seeing two traction engines at work pulling a reversible plough to and fro, seeing Puffing Billy in steam, and of course seeing the 'final' flight of XH558.

Whatever has happened?

[chevvron]

Originally Posted by apriliadriver

Joy Ride,
Science Museum Large Objects Store on Wroughton Airfiled, south of Swindon. They do not hold open days now and the only way to access anything is to apply for a 'researcher access' visit.


The HP Gugnunc is there, that must be a prototype. The condition of the exhibits is deplorable - no fault of the local conservators and staff, who do their best, but completely starved of funds and essential maintenance. hangar roofs leak, concrete spalls off the inside of the concrete structures. Don't ask me about the Constellation ...


I like to think they don't do Open Days out of shame at their neglect, but actually I wonder if the Director and Trustees care that much. If they did, they'd have done something about it.
Nick

The curator at Wroughton many years ago (early '90s) was a splendid guy called Ross Sharp. He wanted to open the collection at weekends with the facility to fly in to visit, even asked GATCO (Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers) members if they were willing to provide FISO services.
Not surprisingly, the 'management' decided he was not suited to his position so his plans came to nothing.
Needless to say, he no longer works there.

[Wander00]

BUT WHAT CAN WE DO - is there body we can lobby. It is a disgrace as it stands