|
Good discussion, glad to see Hawkeye was prepared to review his original view, as we've seen since the first post, original question does not apply. However they need to get out more if they haven't seen museum staff using welders.
There's one presumption that needs clarification, IMHO. No artefact should be left 'as is'. - An artefact that is to be properly displayed 'as found' or as returned should be conserved, that is effort made to stabilise the object and its materials to halt (actually significantly slow) the inevitable decay, and sometimes to enable safe, public display.
If it is being restored to an 'as new' or 'to fly', condition, that's other, legitimate routes. Fine in their own mandate, but not the only or best option in some cases.
For 'owner decides' - maybe. However I'd suggest there are numerous aircraft that belong to 'the people' and those, such as the NC-4 at Pensacola (owned by the Smithsonian) Wright Flyer and Spirit of St Louis should never be up for that option. They are national assets or treasures. Likewise Memphis Belle, or G for George, or S for Sugar.
Often when museums get something, such as the Skyraider under discussion, they get it from a later period of its career, where the USAF had already rebuilt the aircraft for use - I'm sure no one's advocating adding make up 'damage' or shooting at the aircraft to 'replicate' the look of the aircraft after the rescue... However that 'damage' equates to over-zealous restorations which ditch much of the original material, IMHO.
The issue with the RAF Museum's Halifax isn't that is is not restored (though that's an issue for many) but that some parts have been restored (giving a mixed presentation - highly unsatisfactory) and the conservation methods originally undertaken have stopped working and needed to be redone recently, which I understand is underway. Though these are costly, they are cheap compared to a full restoration, and in the case of something like a Halifax, requires the replacement of a good deal of structure with modern replacement materials, so it can stand under its own weight without breaking - which removes the value as a historical document in its entirety.
Wrecked aircraft do show, as the Skyraider debate has highlighted, that the guys inside these aircraft did get smashed and bled and died. Museums showing nothing but pristine aircraft are really 'techno-shrines' as they ignore the somewhat difficult issues of the destruction of the crews and those on the receiving end - a key aspect of real history, and real commemoration.
Like the over-focus on pilots and ignoring support crew illustrated by the groundcrew biography thread, aircraft (and pilots) are only one part of the story. We owe it to our forebears to recognise the wider picture and their stories.
Oh, and PS - As to the "everything must fly brigade", can you either get the entirety of MARC airborne, or can it please? It's like a kid with 2 cents outside a casino demanding to win the jackpot. Put up or...
Just some views, YMMV,
_________________ James K "Switch on the underwater landing lights" Emilio Largo, Thunderball. www.VintageAeroWriter.com
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
