Warbird Information Exchange

Hmmmm

Always keep a paper trail for donated/loaned items and always send a thank you letter

Always be insured for more than you think you need to

If its become a chore and not a hobby - you need to time out

Always try and pitch the displays between 'expert' and 'novice' - its bloody difficult to do!

Remember that you are a custodian of an item which will hopefully outlast you

Always play it straight - the Museums world is small and not forgiving

Occasionally take a step back - oftentimes we are so close to a Museum we dont see what we've achieved -

Dont take others criticism to heart (unless its pleasantly put and with foundation) - an old Yorkshire saying - 'there is them that do, them that dont and them that carp and moan'

Be proud - and remember that you are privileged - many people would love to work in a Museum but either physically or financially cant (or simply cant be bothered - feel sorry for them - they're missing out!).

TT

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Life's a Beech and an Armed T-6

I agree with what TT said and would add:

buddy up with your local govermental representatives. If you get them converted to your project they can be a big help. conversely, if they are uninformed or missinformed they can be a real threat.

Get an attorney on your volunteer list - you will need thier help from time to time. It probably costs the same but it sure seems easier to give a ride in a warbird than write out a check.

Always always always have your eyes and ears open for sponsorships/grants/gifts - trust me you will need them.

If you have artifacts like jackets and such, invest in museum quality storage boxes and the like material - Wendover was given the flight cap worn by a crew member on the observation plane for the Hiroshima bombing - we'll never get another like it and it must be cared for properly.

I'm sure there is more but those seem good for now.

Tom P.

Museums need to tell a story with the displays as much as possible and use photographs whenever you can.

People's attention spans, particularly young people, are ever so short these days, and they don't always remember reading something. They do, however, tend to remember seeing pictures, for a longer period of time.

They need to be able to compare things to also, for instance . . .

A museum has a aircraft on display (it doesn't matter what type) and they have a little sign in front saying what it is, its diminsions, the engine type and so forth. Those that already know what it is can be duly impressed with it just being there for them to see. However, those that don't really know what it is or what the history of the type is usually just look, and say "yeah, so what". But, when you add some pictures, to the display, showing the type when it was in general use, pictures of the type with different paint schemes and so on, you have something for the, not knowing crowd, to compare the aircraft to. This can, and does, create a spark of interest in people, not all people, but a lot of them. And they usually want to know more. Because they want to know more, they buy books from the museum's gift shop. They buy models, they buy pictures, they buy anything that helps them learn more.

I also favor dioramas. They don't have to be big things, most museums just don't have the space, but even a portable wall (like a divider) with a painted background on it can add feeling to a displayed aircraft.

Mannequins dressed in period garb are also nice, but sometimes they detract from the aircraft, especially if there are more than one. Plus they are extremely expensive to acquire and outfit. A lot of the time a single mannequin, plus all the stuff put on it can cost over a $1,000.00, sometime way over a thousand dollars.

Models of an aircraft type also add to a display, but unless it's planned to display a large quanity of the type I would stay away from the 1/72nd scale. People like to see large models with real aircraft.

One last thing. Displays should always be portable, walls and everything. There's no need to spend the money on a display if, sometime in the future, you might have to move it.

So, keep it interesting, and KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid.

As others have already mentioned, it's difficult not getting at least a bit subjective concerning what works and what doesn't. For example, Dik Shepherd stated that he appreciates painted wall dividers. I, on the other hand, dislike them as they tend to prevent one from photographing the machines from multiple angles. As I said, it's hard to stay objective.

Here are two elements that I've observed that seemed to be universally liked:

1) The Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola (I visited July, 2005) had an area that included close to a dozen actual cockpit sections for kids to climb into...absolutely fantastic! The kids get some hands-on activity and parents can take their photos--good stuff. My two teenagers tried on an F-4 for size. Heck, even the kid in me had to try out the A-7 cockpit!

2) Who doesn't like the VIP treatment...the proverbial "backstage pass"? Fantasy of Flight's behind-the-scenes tours of their storage and restoration areas are very popular. Although I've never had the chance to visit personally, touring the restoration area(s) at Duxford appears to draw quite an interested crowd as well.

Just a simple man's 2 cents...

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

In my experience as a docent, you need to learn the general background of your group and taylor your presentations to their interests/previous knowledge. I find that most people don't give a rip about exact figures...saying something went "about 400 mph or about 300 mph" is usually good enough. What people want to hear is what a given aircrasft was used for, how well it performed in it's various roles, and what it was like for the aircrew and ground personnel. And above all else, go out of your way to make them feel welcome and thank them for coming. If it weren't for them, the aircraft collection that I enjoy wouldn't be a collection for long.

John

It seems like such a trivial thing, but...

no matter who you are, where you are, what you are doing, or why you're doing it, if you mention the museum you're affilliated with, you're speaking for them. You become a represenative of that organization and more than that, you *are* that organization to whomever you're speaking to. Act like a pompus know it all, and suddenly your museum is "full of pompus know it all's."

I just heard a horror story from a guy out at yankee over the weekend who was interested in becoming a member (and bringing his T-33 along for the ride). He left his voicemail # with someone on site and said "call me." The call he got was a smart aleck response about "if he was really interested, he'd pick up his darn phone." I'd like to find out who the jerk was that made that call. Who knows, maybe the membership person was joking around, but it wasn't taken that way. Thankfully the guy stayed interested.

You're also the rep in public or at the airshows (or *ahem* message boards), so normal net behavior takes a back seat. If somebody wants to play the "I know more about airplanes than you cuz I watch the history channel 24/7 and flew in a Cessna once and I'm real gud at flite simz!" game, well, you've got to remember the line about arguing with idiots. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experiece. Bite your tounge, and let 'em tell you their version of the truth. Polite and courtious behavior in the face of overwhelming stupidity should earn you the DWLC (distinguished warbird lover cross).

You never know who you might run into, who you're talking to, or who's lurking. For all we know, that guy at the other end of the bar runs a wing of the CAF, Kermit Weeks and Jack Roush could be checking these boards daily, or the guy on the other end of the phone might have a winning lotto ticket in his hands.

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Phil K.
Yankee Air Museum
Systems Admin / Ramp Crew / Professional Photo Ruiner

I have one...

Dont paint the walls/ ceilings black! It might set the mood, and make for a nice display, but it makes taking pictures for us amateurs a total pain!

*cough* MUSAF *cough*

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Share your story: Rutgers Oral History Archive http://oralhistory.rutgers.edu/

I'll second that!

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www.tailhookstudio.com

DWLC - love it Phil will remember that next time I am being lectured by a 'challenged' visitor!

All the best

TT

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Life's a Beech and an Armed T-6

Agreed - and I always like to see a few paragraphs and some pics about the particular aeroplane on display, it's history, how the museum acquired it, restoration and so on... An information panel that simply talks about the type doesn't seem enough to me!

Yeah, it's not just the kids, I like cockpits to sit in too - managed to squeeze my backside into the A-4 at the Hiller Museum!

Cheers