Wealdon Aviation Group

[Tony Jones]

John

I am a member of Air-Britain Historians and they have a private member only Forum AB-IX. A member posted that he with others visited Hawkinge, was followed by the lady at reception. He made a note of a Bf 109 citation and the whole lot of them were thrown out, no discussion,no compromise at all. There was then a flood of comments on the forum from other people that had got ejected for staring too hard at an exhibit and many members voiced the opipion that they were going to visit but would now boycott the place and hit them "in their pocket"

I personally couldn't care a less and have no vendetta against the place but was just issuing a friendly warning as anyone using ToCH would ber "persona non grata" if they showed too much interest in anything. Vist Lashenden instead, very friendly with 2 very interesting/unique original a/c on site. It is claimeD that Hanna Reisch flew the V-1.

By the way, great music!!

Finally there are also recovered parts in the USAF Museum at Parham, Suffolk, this seems to only open in the Summer but operhaps a local can give more data on opening times

Regards

Tony

[Andy Saunders]

Tony's experiences are far from unusual. It really is a great shame. I understand that it is otherwise a very fine museum.

Quite apart from the published rules for visitors, there are others that enthusiasts ought to be aware of before calling there:

1) Do not take too great an interest in any of the exhibits
2) Do not reveal that you have any knowledge of the subject
3) Do not reveal that you know ANYONE in any sphere of the historic aviation world
4) Do not ask any intelligent questions about exhibits
5) Expect to be ejected if you breach 1-4
6) Anticipate the possibility of summarily being refused admittance

Now, back to the question about Sgt Wunsche. I have dug out my file and if you care to send me a pm I can help you a good deal, I think!

[John Vasco]

Tony & Andy,

I fully respect your views about the stance taken by the those who run the Hawkinge museum. Their approach to what visitors can and can not take into the museum is not acceptable to all, but it is their decision. Andy, I know you started a museum from scratch and built it up into a simply superb museum, with an input of your time that hardly any that passed through it during your tenure could really appreciate. I genuinely hope nothing was ever 'lifted' from it. I see the stance of those running Hawkinge simply as a safety measure which they consider necessary to safeguard the contents. I have been there several times, have gone around all of the exhibits and not seen anyone 'policed' heavily, and have seen the museum staff explain things to visitors in great detail. I suppose one can only speak as one finds. If I may give a tenuous analogy. I still gig regularly, and always take two guitars, which are quite expensive (two Gibson Les Pauls, for those interested). Sometimes there are little or no stages in the venues, so the guitars are within easy reach of anybody. If someone goes to look at them (albeit innocently), I'm always up alongside them within a couple of seconds, asking of their interest, and if they'd like to see them close up. Most are simply fascinated at seeing rare left-handed Gibsons. Having had a Gibson Les Paul stolen in 1980, I am aware that the possibilty exists of it happening again, so I always watch my gear like a hawk when I'm offstage. If I have to leave the room, I always make sure one of the other members of the band is on watch over the gear. A sad state of affairs, I know, but necessary.

Tony, thanks for your comments about the music - they are appreciated.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by John Vasco

I still gig regularly, and always take two guitars, which are quite expensive (two Gibson Les Pauls, for those interested).

You have now officially "out-cooled" everyone else on this forum!

[John Vasco]

Nick,
And here are the two beasts that I guard over when gigging:


and the grand's worth of amp that they go through.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by John Vasco

Nick,
And here are the two beasts that I guard over when gigging ... and the grand's worth of amp that they go through.

You'll be sorry to learn that I don't have photos of my collection of designer suits.