18/06/2021 – NASAM Update …

In This Edition Of The Online Flier

CLICK on heading to GO

[joli-toc]

Opening Dates

Despite the disappointment that the COVID restriction would not be eased on the 21st of June as we were hoping, we will continue to open three days per week until further notice. These days are Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays each week from 1000 until 1600.

The NAAFI café is once again serving hot and cold drinks with some snacks inside a dedicated area within the main hangar. This area also shows off some of the artwork that the museum is privileged to have been donated.

The remainder of the June (below) dates are shown in our opening hours on Facebook and Google.

The June dates are as follows:

Saturday 19th of Jun
Sunday 20th of Jun
Wednesday 23rd of Jun
Saturday 26th of Jun
Sunday 27th of Jun
Wednesday 30th of Jun

Come along and enjoy a family day out with still lots to see. We are wheelchair friendly and dog friendly in all areas (no dogs, except guide dogs, in the shop please).

BLOG – A Change of Theme

Readers will notice a slight change in the look of the blog this time. Due to some software clashes, I have had to revamp the blog with a new theme in order to keep the functionality and some of the links working. This, therefore, is the new layout for the time being.

Keep Up To Date

To keep up to date with further information, please keep an eye on our Social Media or click on the button below to be notified of any upcoming changes in the latest blog.

COVID Restrictions

The full COVID restrictions around the opening can still be found on the blog @ COVID Situation / Restrictions

bloginfo

General Updates

There were just a few updates this week from the Volunteers, and also a mention that something new is in the planning stage. To be introduced as soon as we can we will have a new attraction “The Cold War Corridor“. We will keep you updated on this new project from time to time, both here in the blog and on our Social Media sites.

Readers in the USA

Calling our readers in the USA, and our other readers as well … I received an update from Ash, who in tidying up a storage area came across these 4 photographs from the WWII period (Does Anyone Know 01 thru 04). He said that these photographs were found among some items being sorted through. Although nothing is written on them, he thought that it may well be worth putting them on the blog and maybe some of our readers, who we know are stateside, may well have some information or recognise some of the faces from back then.

To let us know, click on the button → Let Us Know

Do You Know Photos

Painters Update

There were two updates from Barry and the Paint Team since the last Online Flier, these covered two working Tuesdays at the Museum.

Tuesday 8^th June – the saga of the blue steps

Cracking weather enabled a full day’s worth of outside pre-paint activity. It was a case of ‘as you were lads’ with Gwen and Cliff back on the Valetta and Mark, Ian and Barry on the Meteor. The only noteworthy event of the day was Ian breaking the ‘blue steps’ (see photo Meteor and Blue Steps) in the afternoon. A number of the welds have now given out, which will require some attention from the guys in the metal workshop. Speculation was rife in the team that it may have been Ian’s particularly weighty ham sandwiches at lunchtime that may have been the straw that finally broke the camel’s back!

Tuesday 15^th June – a sticky situation

Same old, same old really, with Cliff and Gwen refreshing the red detailing on the Valetta and Barry and Mark stripping back the Meteor (Meteor Refurb 01 and 02). The ‘Meatbox’ continues to put up a hard fight and there are probably at least 2 or 3 more Tuesdays’ worth of sanding and grinding still to do before we can contemplate putting on any paint. Cliff and Gwen ran into a ‘sticky situation’ on the Valetta as the red stripe work approached the middle cabin windows (see photo Valetta Detailing). These had previously been made watertight using some form of duct tape, which proved almost impossible to scrape off. In the end, the ‘goo’ was removed with copious amounts of white spirit. During the late afternoon post-match cup of tea, it was noted that Gwen seemed to be in particularly high spirits for some reason! Two windows down, only another ten to go, plus the cockpit glazing of course.

Painters Update Photos

Model Maintenance Unit

Malcolm sent in a further two updates as he continues his work in rebuilding the Bristol Beaufighter Mk.X which we have reported on before. He says:

“Continuing with the restoration, the next stage is to remove the damaged prop from the model for repair and then re-attach the undercarriage doors. I found three which were original to this aircraft and the fourth from the spares box, hence different colour. Whilst the doors were setting a spare prop blade was found, joints sanded to ensure a good fix which was achieved with superglue.

Once doors were set further examination of the model revealed a gap underside where the wings meet the fuselage. These were filled with plastic putty. Masking tape was then applied to the cockpit /gunners canopies and wing light in preparation for painting. Following at least 24 hours, the dried filler is then sanded smooth. The next job was to remove the existing decals and using an old blunt model knife blade they came off reasonably easily. The whole model is then cleaned using water and cotton buds. As with other models out of the store, there was a layer of dust and grime over the aircraft and the white cotton buds (several are required) soon turn black (Beaufighter Model Restoration 04 thru 06).

Ironically after my first session with this Beaufighter, I actually found a box of at least another six similar models in various states of repair. It made me wonder whether to continue this restoration. However, like a vet, I feel that unless the model is beyond help it should be fixed.”

“We have reached the painting stage where one can “make or break” the model. Masking tape is applied to the cockpit and gunners canopy to protect them. With areas of the model having filler applied, the whole plane is given a coat of grey undercoat. At this point, all being well, is when the model is looking its worst. Once dry any obvious blemishes are sanded. It is always difficult to get a perfect painting base on a repaint as you are not starting on a clean subject (well that is my excuse).

The decals chosen are for a Beau with 2 tone grey on top and “sky” underneath. Never got to grips with why “sky” is a shade of light green but there you go. I brush paint using a well-known enamel paint brand, tried others but always return to what I’m used to. From the decal painting instructions the 2 greys do not tally with my brand of paint and therefore I have to choose colours the closest to them. The underside is painted first, given 2 coats, once dry masking tape added to define the fuselage demarcation line, then 2 coats of the lighter grey and one coat of the darker to complete the camouflage pattern. Again once dry a few places needed attention where paint has run. Wingtip lights, engine exhausts and the tail wheel are painted. The fuselage aerial and gun are also attached (Beaufighter Model Restoration 07 thru 10).

All being well the next part should cover the final tasks to the refurb.” tbc

Beaufighter Model Photos

Once again many thanks to the contributors for their input to this edition and to the dedication that they put into their Volunteer work.

bloginfo

Would You Like To Help

We are now seeing visitor numbers increase slightly on the limited opening days (aided by being open three days per week), however, because of the restricted numbers due to Government guidelines, the donations are still well below the levels of previous years. The museum continues to incur expenses for insurance, maintenance and essential running costs, I make no apologies therefore for keeping this section in the blog, therefore, hoping a few people will consider helping in the ways below.

If you think you can help the museum, there are several ways you can do this. Help by becoming a Museum Member, also by Volunteering to help at the museum, or by donating to assist in our running costs. To become a Museum Member or to Volunteer Member, please click on the appropriate button below to see the details on our main website.