NMUSAF Modern Flight Gallery

Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:47 am

The ceiling in the Modern Flight Gallery at the Natl Museum of the USAF is being painted. I certainly hope its not going to be painted black! Chris or Jerry, can you shed some light on this. check www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123122680

Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:22 pm

Pat,

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news ... It will be painted black like the Cold War Gallery with changes in the types of lightning.

As of this morning, I volunteer every Friday, the actual target date to start has yet to be determined. However, all indication is that it will be later this month or in December.

I should have read your link first as it outlines the dates.

Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:24 pm

Thanks Jerry. I gues my question has to be, why black ceilings?

Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:47 pm

Hide the dirt?

Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:19 pm

I was told by a gentleman that worked in Museum when I was there a year ago, that the reason for the black background and spot lighting is superior photograhic results when photos are taken by "knowledgeable photographers". To make this technique work properly you may need to use slow shutter speeds (no flash) and definitely make use of a tripod.

The average Museum visitor may not have the knowledge or equipment to end up with satisfactory results......and that is unfortunate.

Ted

Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:10 pm

Ugh! I've been to the RAF museum and it is painted white, it's bright and airey, easy to take amatuer photos. The NMUSAF looks like a dungeon inside and difficult to take amatuer photos.

Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:09 pm

b29flteng,

I can understand your feelings from the standpoint of amateur photography. I took a minor in photography going to college under my Korean GI Bill. My cameras range from a Canon purchased in Korea over 55 years ago to a relatively new 10 mega pixel digital and a number in between.

However, and probably because of my background, the museum to me is more than a group of hangars with airplanes .. The artifacts throughout the museum need to be protected and cherished for visitors for many years to come. To me personally it is much more than a museum, it is a memorial to many men and women who have given much in defense of our country.

As a volunteer, it is an honor an a privilege to walk those hallowed grounds.

Take the time to visit and see the museum for what's it truly represents.

No harm intended my friend ... just my thoughts ....

To those of you who plan on visiting ... if your visit includes Friday mornings, look me up in the Modern Flight , and say hello ... My avatar is a scan of my patch which I wear with my name tag on my jacket pocket.

Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:23 pm

b29flteng wrote:Ugh! I've been to the RAF museum and it is painted white, it's bright and airey, easy to take amatuer photos. The NMUSAF looks like a dungeon inside and difficult to take amatuer photos.

Some of it is. The Bomber Command hall is poorly lit and dirty. The Battle of Britain Hall is blacked out for the sound and light show half the time.

The Science Museum Aeronautics Gallery in London is dark, poorly lit and doesn't allow tripods to be used.

While I take MisterG97's comments on board, a significant proportion of museum visitors want to take photographs, and many museums regard that group as outside their mandate - strange.

Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:19 pm

What I remember of the RAF museum was where the WWI to WWII fighters were, white floor and ceiling.

Misterg97, I've been there a few times. The first was 1978 when I help deliver and assemble the L-5. The last time was in the late 90's on a two day ANG trip in a C-130 in mid winter, I can't remember what for. It was darn cold in there!

Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:24 pm

b29flteng wrote:What I remember of the RAF museum was where the WWI to WWII fighters were, white floor and ceiling.

That's the original Belfast Truss Hangar areas; the original museum in 1972. It's about three times the size now, with the halls I mentioned above and the Grahame White Hangar and Milestones of Flight halls.

Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:29 pm

I'm probably in the minority, but I really like the black paint in the hangars. I think it brings better focus to the aircraft and creates better photo opportunities with less distraction in the background.

Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:39 pm

misterg97/Jerry,
I hope I understand your concerns correctly about the repainting and the conservation of the NMUSAF collection.
With all due respect, I agree with you about the NMUSAF collection and protecting all these artifacts.
However, a black ceiling offers absolutely no more protection to these artifacts we both cherish than a white ceiling. The lighting of the artifacts is what is important for protection inside a museum.
I'm a long-time member of the NMUSAF Friends - IIRC, the General prefers the "dramatic" look of the theatrical lighting with the black ceilings and it has little if anything to do with protecting the collection.
I design lighting for a living and please believe me, it is possible to design an environment and appropriate lighting that will not harm this collection...if you want to. Museums around the world do that every day wih objects more fragile than most of the exhibits at the NMUSAF.
I still support with my $ the NMUSAF and enjoy visiting there.