NASAM Update as of the 15th Jun 2022
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General Updates
Just a short’ish update this week.
In this edition, we have a short piece from Pam who reports on a school visit and also provided some pictures of the Paint Team at work. We have seen many pictures of the paint team in action, but the one person missing in all the photos is Barry, the author of the Paint Team updates. Thanks to Gwen and Pam, we are able to show Barry, (together with Mark) in action restoring the Whirlwind instead of just his colleagues taking all the limelight.
Pam also reported, below, on the passing of a long-time museum member.
We also have updates from the Paint Team and the Model Maintenance Unit.
Pete S
(Photos) Barry in Action
School Visit
Tuesday 7th June we had the first half (60 pupils) from Woodsloke Primary School, Lowestoft, the second half of the school are due to come next week.
We had a great day with the children, Ian studied the Home Front with them and dressed for the part!
As always we couldn’t have these school days without the help from Tony with his apprentice, Bob, Ian and all the Link ‘boys’.
Passing of Gwen Nobbs
Friday 10th of June, Pam, Gwen and Ivan attended the funeral of Gwen Nobbs. Gwen and Peter Nobbs had been members for many years, Peter was for a long time the leader of the paint team.
It was a very sad occasion but Peter was really pleased to see us there.
Pam
Painters Update
7/6/22 – Chopper vs. Flat Iron?
The headline sounds like two dodgy characters out of the Nintendo’s latest Super Mario game (you may have to explain that one to the older readership – Ed.), essentially, the Paint Team split itself into two this week. With Mr UK Weather playing nicely, a full day of sanding and painting was on the cards.
Over on the Whirlybird, Mark and Barry started (at long last) the top coating. Working down from the top, the boys started with painting the rotor blades (see Whirlwind Repaint 18). By the end of the day, the rear-facing rotor had a first coat of gloss black and the starboard-facing rotor had two coats of gloss black, plus a coat of ‘clear coat’ lacquer to help to further protect it. This is the first time we’ve applied a clear coat over the top and Barry was a bit unnerved breaking into the tin as it appeared that the ‘clear coat’ seem to have the colour and consistency of a weak glass of Ribena! However, it would seem that the blackcurrant tinge disappears once dry (thankfully!!).
Also over on the Whirlybird this week, we had a couple of guest contributors. First up, John S rocked up with his grinder to cut off the old rotted-out steel rear skid (see Whirlwind Repaint 19). With the offending old part removed, the Chippies moved in with Michael and Ash offering up their replacement wooden skid (see Whirlwind Repaint 20). Short of the right drill bit, the Chippies will return next week to do the final fit.
Next door on the Flat Iron, Ian, Gwen and Cliff continued with the sanding prep of the Javelin. As noted in previous blogs, being a delta wing, there is a lot of surface area to cover, but the general view is that the surfaces are in better condition than the Meteor (that took forever to prep last summer). Gwen continued up front (see Javelin Repaint 05), while Ian concentrated on the top of the starboard wing (see Javelin Repaint 06). Over on the port wing, Cliff seemed to be pretty chilled, sitting down on the job (see Javelin Repaint 07).
The Flat Iron also had a guest contributor this week. While in the vicinity of the front paddock, John S also stopped off to continue with his fibreglass repairs to the nose cone (see Javelin Repaint 08). Is there any end to this man’s talents?
Barry
(Photos) Painters Update
Model Maintenance Unit
Apologies for the lack of reports recently. Up to 22 May I had been concentrating on preparations for the Aviation Art and Model Show and since just working on some of the models which have been lingering in my garage for some time.
As you may be aware as well as running the Model Maintenance Unit I also belong to a modelling club in Bury St.Edmunds known as IPMS West Suffolk. At the invitation of the museum, myself and five other colleagues, Duncan, Robbie, Simon, Martin & Brian attended the AviationArt and Model Show Open Day on 22nd May to show off some of the results of our modelling skills, displaying a variety of different genre of models in various scales. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos of the day however all club members enjoyed the day speaking to the visitors and also taking time to view the museum exhibits. Duncan, our club secretary, wrote the following in our recent monthly club newsletter:-
“This was one of the most relaxed and enjoyable days out I’ve personally had in a long time, lots of interesting objects and reference materials available, as well as a good footfall of people interested in the models we presented” – Duncan
On behalf of the club, I wish to thank the team for inviting us.
Whilst my other colleagues displayed a selection of their own models, I decided to raid the Model Store and managed to put together a display of 30 1/72 models produced by Airfix during their early days 1956 to 1965. Many of the subjects gathered I remember ‘learning the trade’ on during my early years and included many models which command high prices if purchased second-hand today still in kit form, for example, Bristol Belvedere, Fairey Rotodyne, Saunders Roe SR-53. I think the display also brought back memories for several visitors as well.
As Duncan said, a great show, the Lancaster flypasts being the icing on the cake.
Malcolm
Models on Display
Although Malcolm did not capture any photos of the IPMS West Suffolk display of models in the main hangar for his article above, photos of the Aviation Art and Model Show were captured by the Museum Chairman. These photos were published a few weeks ago (26th May 2022) in the update of the show by the Chairman. The link to that blog posting can be found @
Update on Aviation Art and Model Day
The photos from inside the main hangar are reproduced below and include photos of the IPMS West Suffolk tables. For the full set of photos from the day, please use the link above.
Pete S
(Photos) Models on Display
Upcoming Event days
The next two Event Days at the museum are shown below.
Saturday 25th June 2022 – Classic Car Rally at the Museum
There will be classic cars at the Museum as a car club visits during the day as part of their rally. The classic cars are from the Reliant Sabre & Scimitar Owners Club.
Over the course of the day, around 20 of these classic Reliant Sabre and Scimitar cars are expected to arrive from around 1100, their drivers having completed an organised route around the local area. They will stay for lunch at the local Buck Inn and then leave gradually over the course of the afternoon. On show will be UK and European-based Sabres and Scimitars dating from the 1960s through to the 1990s – an interesting comparison to the Museum’s aircraft from those same decades.
This will be a fun family day packed full of exciting activities and, with 60+ aircraft and 1000s of artefacts on display, there is plenty to see and do. Provided sufficient Volunteers are on hand, we should have flight simulators and cockpit access on the day plus stomp rockets. We would also aim to get the Scout out and have families rigging and de-rigging it.
Please note:
Unfortunately, the flypast by the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane that had been scheduled for the day has been cancelled due to unserviceability. We were advised on Wednesday the 15th, that the aircraft was no longer available for the flypast on the 25th June. We will keep our Social Media and blog updated if we have any changes.
Sunday 10th July 2022 – Jaguar Drivers Club
We expect around ten classic and current Jaguars to arrive on-site at around 1000 and spend most of the day with us. The cars will vary from 1950’s classics right through to up-to-date vehicles. There will be plenty of photo opportunities, and a chance to chat to their owners to find out more about restoring, maintaining and driving these iconic machines.
As on the Classic Car Rally above, This is expected to be a fun family day packed full of exciting activities and, with 60+ aircraft and 1000s of artefacts on display, there is plenty to see and do. Provided sufficient Volunteers are on hand, we should have flight simulators and cockpit access on the day plus stomp rockets. We would also aim to get the Scout out and have families rigging and de-rigging it.
Enjoy a Family Day Out
As well as the aircraft and artefacts mentioned above, there is a shop on site selling snacks and ice cream, museum and aviation-related items from pocket money upwards.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome provided they are kept on a lead (not in the shop please). We are wheelchair friendly, and there is access to all areas apart from aircraft cockpits.
Take the weight off your feet and enjoy light refreshments in our NAAFI-themed café and use the picnic tables scattered throughout the site.
With free access and free parking on-site, this is an affordable day out for all the family.
Pete S
The Repeat Info
The repeat information is still here I’m afraid, and I make no apologies for keeping his section in our blog. We are a charitable organisation relying on monies from the public to keep us going. Any help we receive is gratefully accepted and enables the museum to continue in our mission “To conserve, preserve and promote the history of aviation in East Anglia, whilst providing a fun, family-friendly and interactive museum, promoting education and remembrance of the events of the past“.
Are you thinking of helping ??
We obtain most of our finances by donations and by membership fees. We save money by having a dedicated group of volunteers that keep the museum and the exhibits both manned and maintained. We hope therefore a few people may consider helping in the ways below.
There are three easy ways to help: Help by becoming a Museum Member, also by Volunteering to help at the museum, or by Donating to assist in our running costs. Please click on the appropriate button below to access the appropriate information:
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Click to make aDONATION
Keep Up To Date
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