|
|
|
|
News
What has happened in the museum since our last news, the opening of the RAF Regiment exhibition in June 2010?
Here a short retrospective look over the last six months of 2010.
In 2010 not only single persons or families visited the museum, but also many different groups from Germany, UK and the Netherlands. The UK groups consisted mainly of ex-servicemen or families who had been stationed at Laarbruch. We gave all the groups a conducted tour of the museum. The total number of visitors is now between 2800 and 3000 yearly.
Our thanks go to our member Martin whose expertise has enhanced the Buccaneer-cockpit with newly painted roundels. A complete camouflage re-spray of this cockpit and perhaps the Bloodhound is being planned for 2011.
Some of the last serving RAF members of RAF Rheindahlen had a guided tour of the museum, and presented us with many exhibits, one of which is a magnificent framed oil painting of a 92 Sqn. Lightning in QRA at RAF Gütersloh, measuring approx. 2m x 1m. Unfortunately we have not enough space to show all these exhibits at present, but they will complement our planned RAF Germany exhibition.
On the north side of the museum Rod and Leo replaced the old guttering with new ones. This was way overdue as they were leaky and the walls were getting damp because of this.
Just as important was the roof-insulation and guttering on the flat roof above the toilets, kitchen etc. This was professionally finished by Firma Gastens, Kevelaer-Twisteden and our members Leo, Wacky, Bruno and Wolfgang.
The sanitary installations were also in bad need of refurbishing. Some of our "builders" decided to clean them up, and thanks to the work of Bruno, Wacky and Wolfgang, the Gents has been completely re-tiled, refitted and has a new wood ceiling. The Ladies is still in progress but nearly finished.
On the free grass area in front of the Astra we have now "planted" a flag pole (the old one from 20 Sqn.) which will fly the flags of Germany, UK and Netherlands thanks to Fred and Leo.
Our website www.laarbruch-museum.net has been completely re-styled and bolstered up with fresh info. This work is being carried out to a certain extent by Manfred, Bill and Fred, with the majority of the work being done by Andreas and Terry. Martien kindly translates into Dutch.
During the last few months we have been keeping contact with Dutch museums in Overloon (War Museum and Liberty Park) and Groesbeek (Liberation Museum), and the former WW2 German Luftwaffe Station Venloer Heide (basically ruins). We are contemplating working on combined projects in the future.
A few months ago someone attempted to break into the RAF Regiment exhibition ( old Sparkasse building ) so we have fitted out the museum buildings with movement detectors and flood lights to enhance the cameras already in place in the hope of deterring any further break-in attempts. These will also be fitted to the Astra cinema. The work was carried out by our members Terry, Fred, Wolfgang and son.
Hans Hüpen and Wolfgang Wißmach have started to renovate and secure the main entrance doors of the former Astra Cinema.
As a small thank you to all the members who are actively involved in the museum as guides, supervisors, workgroups etc., we held a Bar-B-Q at Kev`s Pub.
Our thanks go out to:-
Bernd, Sven, Manfred, Gerda, Martien, Johannes and Marianne, Leo, Wilma, Helmut and Gisela, Nellie, Rod and Cilly, Steve and Vanessa, Hans, Andreas and Heidi, Wacky and Hannie, Michael, Albert and Fine, Mark, Terry, Ulla, Hal and Jola, Karl, Jörg, Dick, Michael and Petra and Wolfgang.
We would be very pleased to be able to increase this circle of active members and are looking for further volunteers who are willing to sacrifice their free time and help us look after the visitors during opening times.
Lastly we would like to, once again, thank all our active and passive members,in Germany,UK and the Netherlands who financially help us with their membership fees .
A special thanks goes to all our SPONSORS, who are named in the museum and on the website, without whose help it would not have been possible to obtain many aquisitions and to upkeep the museum.
Thank you ALL!!
Text: Terry Moore
|
June 2010 |
Saturday 12th June
The Royal Air Force Museum Laarbruch opened it`s new RAF Regiment exhibition today. The RAF Regiment was responsible for the safety and defence of the Airfield.
The new exhibition is situated in the former "Sparkasse building" which has been kindly made available by the Airport Weeze authority.
Among the invited guests at the opening ceremony were Ulrich Francken, Mayor of Weeze, Ludger van Bebber, Airport Weeze Manager, Group Captain Dai John, Joint Op`s Kalkar and Wing Commander Andy Kime, RAF Eindhoven.
Approximately 40 former RAF Regiment (RAF Laarbruch) members were also present.
Musical accompliment at the opening ceremony was provided by a detachment of the "German Lowland Pipes & Drums" from Xanten, whose origins were the "Royal Air Force Germany Voluntary Pipes & Drums".
An unofficial visit to the museum was also made by the ex Station Commander Group Captain David Cousins (1983-1985), now Air Chief Marshal Sir David Cousins.
Text: Terry Moore
Please click here for more Photo`s
|
|
Newsletter
|
February 2010 |
|
Bi-Annual Members Meeting
Advanced warning. The
bi-annual RAF Laarbruch
Museum members’ meeting will
be on 10th March 2010 at
1900hrs in the museum. Some
of your committee will be
standing down and new
members are offering their
services. Your votes are
required to elect the new
committee so please make an
effort to attend. It is also
an opportunity to see how
much the museum has
progressed since the last
meeting.
Cockpit Improvements
The cockpits continue to
improve. The Canberra is now
secure on its stand and
fitted with a ‘skirt’. Work
continues on the re-wiring
with the aim to have all the
cockpit lights working so
visitors can view the
instruments easier. A better
condition ejector seat is
undergoing restoration. The
museum has purchased a
correct T4 canopy, which
will be delivered by the end
of May.
The Buccaneer is now on its
stand thanks to some
ingenious work by Rob Hilton
who made special brackets
for the lift. With the help
of several members, the
aircraft was on the stand
within a couple of hours.
Several of the ‘battle
damage repairs’ patches have
been removed, new skin
fitted and re-sprayed.
Original crew ladders were
acquired and after
renovation and a repaint are
now fitted. It creates a
better overall impression
for our visitors. The museum
is now planning to fit a TV
in one of the engine air
intakes that will show a DVD
of the Buccaneer.
RAF Regiment Display
The old Sparkasse building
is almost complete in its
refurbishment under the
guidance of Fred Stoddon and
his team. Once the weather
improves, the Rapier will be
lifted into the building (through
the window) and will form a
new display. The access to
the building will be from
the rear of the current
building across the tarmac.
New fencing will provide
security between the
buildings. The planned
opening date is 12th June
2010 when the RAF Regiment
will be holding a reunion at
Laarbruch. Between 60 to 90
people are expected to
attend.
Facebook
Fred has opened a ‘facebook’
page. There are currently
over 280 members; a large
number of them are ex
regiment. The link to the
page is http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=239091997958
Planned Functions
The next breakfast for
members is Sunday 28 March
2010 at 1000hrs. It is
restricted to the first 30
members who notify Helmut by
phone, 02837-8290, or email,
helmut@helsum.de.
New Working Group
Web pages today are
important tools in
attracting new members and
visitors. It is essential
that they are attractive,
informative and up to date.
With links to other sites
and together with our own
Facebook page, we hope to
widen our base and publicize
our museum. Therefore, a new
working group to maintain
and improve the museum
webpage has been set up.
They will meet shortly and
we can look forward to an
improved site in the near
future.
The museum continues to ask
for volunteers for a
cleaning work group. The
museum needs to present
itself well to the public.
To do this the displays,
cabinets and the floor need
cleaning once a month.
Currently the members that
are on duty for our opening
times do this on an ad hoc
basis. The proposal is to
form a team that can once a
month meet on a Wednesday
1900-2100hrs, which is the
same time as the aircraft
group. This ensures the
building is open and is
heated. If you feel you can
help then please forward
your name to Helmut or at
the Bi-annual members
meeting 10 Mar 10.
|
Text: Rod Hawkins
|
| |
|
| |
Archive
|
|