Raf museum Hendon

[chas558]

Todayi went to the RAF museum at Hendon, what is going on there ,big gaps in the exhibits some wall displays gone it almost looked like it was being run down today hopefully it isnt

[Mustang531]

Maybe have a look at the museum website? There might be something on that to say what is happening, possibly any changes to displays.

[chas558]

Looked on there nothing mentioned as i could see

[Vulcanone]

They have been changing exhibits at a snails pace for some years....

[binbrook87]

It seems to be constantly changing. I try and visit once a year and notice lots of changes year on year. I think some exhibits change hands with Cosford (my local) so this may explain things, but I'm not too keen on the new exhibition that replaced the old BoB displays! As per other museums the new trend seems to be for 'interactive' exhibitions for 'kids', and at the expense of some really great aircraft. Despite my reservations about it's future I have to say that the Graeme White display is absolutely superb though, and at least they've tried to preserve some of the pre ww2 airfield history in this if nothing else.

[Drinkmat]

The last time I went there, I was very unimpressed by how "kiddyfied" it had become. The Grahame White hangar was the only part I enjoyed and thought was an excellent display space. It will be quite a while before I visit again.

[Vulture 01]

It's a long haul from where I live. Add to that the contributions to Mr Khans benefit fund and it's far from a cheap day out.
Add in the traffic etc and it's close to a 'don't bother', which is sad.

[B58Hustler]

Probably in the process of all the exhibits being destroyed due to them being part of British history.
Also, It's probably offensive because fighter pilots could be considered 'Toxically masculine'.
You think I'm joking...........

[quid21]

It's a long haul from where I live. Add to that the contributions to Mr Khans benefit fund and it's far from a cheap day out.
Add in the traffic etc and it's close to a 'don't bother', which is sad.

Theres a tube station quite close by, but I get the sentiment - everytime I visit Duxford I feel fleeced. At least Hendon has free entrance.

[binbrook87]

Despite my reservations and slight disappointments about the exhibits over the years Hendon is still a nice 'free' (apart from the car parking) day out and has plenty for the aviation enthusiast and photographer, plus if you're a modeller Hannants is next door too!

[EGDR]

While I understand that from an enthusiast perspective the replacement of the BoB exhibit with the current interactive RAF history section was a downgrade, I must say based on feedback from non-aviation inclined friends and some younger family members it's frequently been noted as one of their favorite and most engaging parts of the museum. And I enjoyed it a great deal myself when I went in 2023.

[Tronk 11]

I went in between Christmas & New Year as its been about 4 years since my last visit. There were loads of kids and families about which is good to see, especially if they get the historic part of aviation. Unfortunately, the likes of me don't spend much ££ there, so probably rely on families coming for the day and spending a few quid. The exhibits have to be child friendlier to keep them entertained. I suspect they get more families, school trips than enthusiasts coming through their doors so on the main have to cater for them. Overall I can't complain as the museum is free of charge, except the parking.

The halls aren't photographer friendly 100% of the time (not many museums are!), but with a little time and patience I got a picture of everything. I'd rather have a few packed in out of the elements & not rotting away, some of the planes are quite delicate. The only blank space I saw was where the Tornado F.3 should have been, there was also some work going on for a few in the bomber hall too with tarps on. Between Hendon & Cosford the RAF Museums are overall superb. It may be a few more years until I go again, however when I lived in London I visited frequently.

[100arw]

I was very unimpressed by how "kiddyfied" it had become.

But how many of the visitors were true enthusiasts? I guess they were the minority and it is the same at air shows.

It is footfall that brings in the cash, and it is cash that keeps events and locations open.
P

[Supra]

Edited The only blank space I saw was where the Tornado F.3 should have been, there was also some work going on for a few in the bomber hall too with tarps on. Between Hendon & Cosford the RAF Museums are overall superb. It may be a few more years until I go again, however when I lived in London I visited frequently.

I have read elsewhere in an article regarding the enforced closure of the Manchester Air & Space Museum that there's a common theme emerging here. Whilst the preserved exhibits are technically 'inside', that the Buildings housing them are in poor condition due to lack of maintenance. The tarp's covering the aircraft are allegedly there due to multiple water leaks in the roof?

I do think the overall structural integrity failure & multiple roof leaks at the Manchester A & S M building forcing it to close permanently is tragic. Nearly as tragic as the (currently) finest preserved Shackleton (AEW.2) having to be stored in pieces at Woodford awaiting Planning Permission to provide for internal exhibition!

I've yet to be convinced that the dilution of Hendon exhibits to provide interactive experiences for the supposed younger tech'-minded generation is an asset. My jaded view of this is that if it requires movement from the 'virtual settee' then it's a non-starter. Sadly the current Duxford ethos would appear to be equally flawed?