Air Corps Museum -

[Silver]

I was just looking through an old edition of 'Flypast' magazine and read a piece about the (then) imminent arrival of a replica flying boat to Foynes Flying Boat Museum.

The article stated that this was "..thanks to a €500,000 grant from the Irish Government...".

While I'm not for a second suggesting that the Flying Boat Museum didn't deserve this ...it got me thinking how the Air Corps Museum could finally be properly established (and open to the public!) if it too got such a grant!  

There are certaintly enough aircraft now in the museum collection (including the newly-arrived Avro 'C7 '> ) to establish a museum and garner the interest of both the Irish public and foreign visitors alike. (An added bonus to such a museum could be a viewing platform at the rear of the museum to observe current AC aircraft in action).

.....not to mention a Fouga, Vampire, or Alouette 'gate guardian' ...or even all three 'guardians' around the car park area!

But will it ever happen?



RNZAF Vampire gate guardian at Ohakea, and Replica Spitfire gate guardian at Christchurch Airport, NZ.

[FiSe]

It will happen, one day. But will we be around, that's the question...

I have to repeat again, it's a pitty that Ireland has no dedicated military/technical museum as a whole. Apart from nice but moreless very general military exposition in Collins Barracks.

I wouldn't be too pushed, personaly, to stick any part of the exposition outdoors, in our weather it's a good recepie for total destruction of any machinery.

[pym]

Quote (FiSe @ 18 Sep. 2007,22:57)

I wouldn't be too pushed, personaly, to stick any part of the exposition outdoors, in our weather it's a good recepie for total destruction of any machinery.

I have to agree with you on that.

I believe I read before that a lot of Spitfires that served as gate guardians, were replaced with fiberglass replicas - such a thing would make more sense.

Treasure and treat the genuine articles with respect, leave some manner of replica/mockup outside to take the battering from the elements

[Fouga]

Quote (pym @ 19 Sep. 2007,04:58)

I believe I read before that a lot of Spitfires that served as gate guardians, were replaced with fiberglass replicas

Same can be said for alot of the RAF Jags that are Gate Guards now.

[Irish251]

Quote (pym @ 19 Sep. 2007,04:58)

I believe I read before that a lot of Spitfires that served as gate guardians, were replaced with fiberglass replicas - such a thing would make more sense.

It was also recognised at that time that Spitfires were too valuable a commodity to be left to rot and several were sold on the civilian market, where they served as the basis for many of the machines airworthy today.

[Silver]

What happened with the Fouga (215 ?) that was repainted and put on display near the VIP building in Bal ?

I agree that a replica should be used whenever possible (especially in the case of a Spitfire! ..as happened in NZ (pic above).
However, having said that, seeing as there are 6 Fougas available, it wouldn't be so bad if one was well repainted (and sealed up!) and used as a 'gate guardian' (e.g. 215).

The 'wow' factor plays a part in attracting people to museums ...and what better way to impress kids (and adults!) than to have a Fouga jet looming over the museum car park on a plinth as you drive in