Visit to the NASM...still seething!

[Django]

So judging by the wear, the bombs were painted yellow first?

That sucks to see it like that. That will be a challenge to fix the people wear marks.

B-26 for B-26. Interesting.

[JDK]

Flak Bait will not be restored. I talked to some high brass at the museum that said "IF" it would come to the museum, it would be put together and not resotered, but left in it's original paint.

The big word for today is 'conserved'. Anyone volunteering at a world class museum should have that, and its meaning in the context of museum aircraft, in their vocab. Please?

For convinience, let's use (art) conservation as a term:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_conservation

The traditional definition of the role of the conservator involves the examination, conservation, and preservation of cultural heritage using "any methods that prove effective in keeping that property in as close to its original condition as possible for as long as possible.” [1]

However, today the definition of the role of conservation has widened and would more accurately be described as that of ethical stewardship.

The conservator applies some simple ethical guidelines, such as:

* Minimal intervention.
* Appropriate materials and methods that aim to be reversible to reduce possible problems with future treatment, investigation, and use.
* Full documentation of all work undertaken.

The conservator aims to take into account the views of the stakeholder and to apply their professional expertise accordingly.

It's a bit more than 'not resotered'.

[mustangdriver]

That is what I meant pal. I am just lazy and did not feel like going into that. The aircraft will be preserved and it will be put back together treating each piece as a historic artifact. Because well, it is. The belle is getting much of the very same treatment, but an all out ground up restoration had to be done, because she was in such poor shape, and she was missing much of her original equipment. The FB is not in the same situation.

[Jim MacDonald]

JDK,

Not sure if you've heard of the word "Obnoxious", but that's the way you come off in most of your posts. I'm pretty sure that most of us don't come here to learn new vocabulary words.

Oh BTW, before you try to make a fool of somebody, it might help if you do a spell check on your own post. Maybe your "Big Word" for today should be "convenience".

Mac

[peter]

That is shameful to see such an historic artifact left open for kids to touck and scratch the original markings! I am pleased to hear that an "official" decision has been made not to repaint it but to conserve the existing paint and markings!

If anyone has any questions they should read the book Preserving Museum aircraft. I forget the classes exactly but this is a "as removed from service" aircraft in condition!

[TAdan]

Those pictures make me feel sick to my stomach.

I am sure they mean no harm... but just the sight of all those "grubby little" hands all over the original paint work makes me sick.

[groundpounder]

i guess its just a matter of time until some idiot decides to scratch their initials in the paint. a sheet of plexiglass would be a cheap and easy solution.........what was i thinking? then they would just scratch the glass! oh forget it...................................................

[Steve Nelson]

That's why I didn't bother to attempt to intervene. Even when I was volunteering as a museum docent, when I tried to tell people not to touch our aircraft (or even not climb on them!) all I got was a hostile "I'm not hurting anything!" in response.

In a way, I can be more forgiving of the visitors "for they know not what they do," and the thing is just sitting there with minimal barricades. Most of those who visit the downtown facility are just tourists, not "airplane geeks." What just burns my biscuits is the fact that the NSAM leaves such a priceless artifact lying around like an old beer can. I didn't see any "Don't Touch" signs around..but then, as a longtime aviation museum visitor, I know better and generally don't notice signs.

SN

[Chicoartist]

JDK,

Not sure if you've heard of the word "Obnoxious", but that's the way you come off in most of your posts. I'm pretty sure that most of us don't come here to learn new vocabulary words.

Oh BTW, before you try to make a fool of somebody, it might help if you do a spell check on your own post. Maybe your "Big Word" for today should be "convenience".

Mac

Seconded.

Wade

[Nathan]

wtf is wrong with people? I dont like seeing an aircraft treated like that.

[Rogue]

It looks like your almost invited to touch.

I hope this move will proceed and in short order.

[CH2Tdriver]

Guys, It's not just Flak Bait! The last time I was at the downtown museums was 1998. I went into the Naval Aviation section and took some detailed shots of the Wildcat on display. For those who haven't been here. The Wildcat is at the entrance to the section with the left wing folded and ring wing extended. You enter the exhibit to the right of that folded left wing. There is a railing to guide folks past the 'cat but it is right up against that wing. Well....you guessed it.....the leading edge is right at arms length and kid height. At that time the leading edge's blue/gray paint was worn down to the primer in spots.

Over at the American History Museum, you know that big beautiful Southern PS-4 Pacific Locomotive? The one in Apple Green? Well the right side of the tender on the bottom, that shiney green paint was worn down to a canary yellow in spots.

At what price and for how long do you let people get a hands-on of history?

Pete

[mtpopejoy]

I took 2 of my younger cousins over to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo a few weeks ago and one of them was going to try to touch the propeller on the Skyraider.
We had to have a little chit-chat about not touching the aircraft. I told him I didn't think he had 2 million dollars to restore it so he shouldn't touch it.
One of the docents was in ear shot and he got a chuckle out of it.

[gary1954]

*Hangs head*
I must ask the forgiveness of the forum; FOR I TOO have sinned . I too, am among the millions who have touched MY Flak Bait, and many other American aircraft of the World War Two, Korean War, and Vietnam War eras.
Flak Bait looks a lot more worn than when I saw her in 1985, and having sinned, I cannont justify my actions other than to say that for me it is merely a touch and a say a word of thanks to the folks that build these examples of these machines that carried and trained our Warriors with their wings on into combat and victory.
Now, I am not trying to say there is a double standard here, for I have never, ever, never tried to move any control surface on any plane anywhere at any time, unless it was during PreFlight.
I recently visited the Naval Air Museum in Pepsicola, and was absolutely FLOORED when I saw people (children and adults) yanking on the control surfaces of aircraft. The staff of the museum saw it and said nothing. My G/F asked me to say nothing, but I went off on the staffer about the actions she saw, and did nothing about, and continued to do nothing. Arrrrrrgggggggggggggggggg!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now at air shows, I ask permission to touch the winged Machine, and fortunately, no owner/operator has rejected my request. Touching an example of a warbird on the prop or leading edge for me is a must...it is like being home.
So, hopefully, if I see ya at an Air Show with a warbird, I will ask you if I can just touch her. I have never climbed into the cockpit of a WWII era fighter, and other than the T-33, P-80, and the F-86, jets don't do it for me.

[Tigercat]

I won't even pretend to sugar coat this. The NASM should be ashamed.

Chris.......I gotta agree with you 150%!! It makes me DA*M mad!


Ted