Reopening the Museum

Open On Sundays – Just the outside for now

CLICK on heading to GO

When the government’s exit steps from lockdown were published, the initial reaction was that we couldn’t reopen until May 17^th (at least). A second consideration said that we have lots of space outside, why not open just that.

The problem was, and is, how many people would come just to see the outside collection. We had, at the time of writing, no idea. Would it be worth doing? After discussion, it was decided that we had nothing to lose, so we were going for it.

Then more discussion said, “can we take some of the inside, outside”?

Obviously, a lot of the exhibits are heavy and difficult to move. Others are fragile and not suitable. The two hangars do have doors that open a long way, allowing good views inside. Only one of each of those doors had been opened in the last several years though. Task one, see if we can get them open.

This proved far more straightforward than we had dared hope. Four doors on each hangar now easily (albeit they are heavy) open all the way. That’s part one completed.

The next task, sort out what we can take outside. Various exhibits had been moved inside for restoration work over the winter, then came lockdown, so they weren’t all done; they are now!

We have three “trailers”, and they are always moved outside for the summer, so out they went.

This left some space in the main hangar. We had two microlights in store, these were carefully removed and taken around to the main hangar. They were stored” de-rigged”. One was quickly re-rigged, and we have demonstrated that three people can quickly get it out of the hangar and on display. It is big and cumbersome though!

The second one took a while, and it hadn’t been rigged for many years. It took three people a morning to get it put together. It didn’t help that we seem to have three sets of wings and tails, but only one with all the connections necessary. Once put together, it is light and small; three people easily and quickly got it out of the hangar and on display. Now that we know how it goes together, we reckon we can rig or de-rig it in about ten minutes.

We have a cockpit section originally used as a cockpit procedures trainer on wheels. That was the next task; could we move that around to the front hangar.

This last week therefore we concentrated on working out how to fit the various additional exhibits outside. The Flycraft SuperScout and the Eurowing Goldwing have been re-assembled and will be moved outside each Sunday, weather permitting. The Gnat cockpit has been moved into the main hangar and again will be moved outside weather permitting.

The Lightning Armament will be moved into a position inside the hangar where it can be easily seen from outside. The NAAFI will offer a takeaway service from the hangar entrance too.

In addition, on each open day there will be another display of artefacts just inside the hangar, hopefully, this will change each week.

Some of the photos of the work being carried out and trialled are below (Getting Ready For Sunday 01 thru 06).

What’s next?

Come along and find out. We do have some restrictions in place and these are outlined below.

Steve Bell

Opening Dates

The museum will be open weekly on a Sunday from Sunday the 18th of April until the 16th of May. This includes the Bank Holiday Monday, the 3rd of May. The dates are as follows:

Sunday 18th April
Sunday 25th April
Sunday 2nd May
Monday 3rd May
Sunday 9th May and
Sunday 16th May

These dates are now on our Facebook Page and on both the main website @ Forthcoming Events and the blog @ Events at the Museum. If the government unlock process continues as per plan, we should also be able to open up the buildings to the public from Monday 17th May. We will publish these dates as soon as they are known. Please keep an eye on our Social Media and this blog for updates.

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Restrictions on All OPEN Days

Because of the COVID situation at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, we have had to impose a number of restrictions to both the numbers allowed into the Museum and to the way that the Museum operates. These operating instructions are as follows:

Arrival

We are allowed 200 visitors on-site at any one time and therefore people will be counted in and out to ensure we do not exceed our limited numbers. On arrival visitors will be asked for NHS Test and Trace details, or to scan the museum’s QR code, this is a legal requirement on us.

Visitors will also be given leaflets similar to the one below. This gives basic instructions on what to do to stay safe. On the reverse of the leaflet is a map of the museum site. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER THE MAIN HANGER AND OTHER BUILDINGS WILL NOT BE OPEN AT THIS TIME.

General Restrictions

In addition to social distancing, and for the foreseeable future, there will be a different look and feel to the museum as follows:

There will be limits to the number of people on-site so that social distancing can be achieved. The numbers will be controlled at the Main Gate. There may well be a necessity to turn people away if we become full.
Under the new government regulations, visitors cannot form clusters of more than six at any one time, please maintain these social distancing criteria.
The NAAFI will not be open because of the restrictions imposed, however, we will be serving takeaway hot drinks.
Snacks, ice creams and cold drinks will be available from the shop.
The rooms behind the shop are too small to allow social distancing and as such will not be reopened until requirements around this issue have been resolved.
Hands-on exhibits are not allowed, these will be removed or covered. This includes access to aircraft and trying on uniforms and other items.
During the period April 18th to May 16th (dependant upon government restrictions continuing to follow the current timescale) the museum outdoor areas only will be open. Weather permitting hangar doors will be opened and various exhibits usually displayed inside will be taken outside.

The Shop

Modifications have been made in the shop and a screen introduced to protect the volunteers manning the shop and the public using the shop. Payment can be made by credit card and we have introduced a contactless donation point if you wish to give to the museum.