DHAMT

In November we started work on the Robin Hangar something we have been ashamed of for many years.

It had come to look, and some clients took it to be, a derelict building, so they missed our main attraction - the Prototype Mosquito - an appalling state of affairs.

Before Christmas we started on the rusty corrugated outside, Jim Baker, Will Snowden, Alan Bradstock, Eddie LeSurf, Peter Widdicombe, David Baldwin and myself.

Eddie and Peter concentrated on the new entrance, something which we had suggested to the Board to stop visitors having to use the very tatty and indeed dangerous main hangar door entrance.

Using  the smaller entrance would make the hangar and its priceless contents easier to keep  dry. We had noticed that when it rained water ran down the sloping walls from the guttering which had been badly hung, and thence into the hangar through corroded panels where the corrugated walls were fitted into the concrete base. At this join we cleaned off as best we could and sealed both sides of the hangar with a special coated felt strip, a stop gap but at least it has sealed most of the holes. Before this there were puddles of water along both sides of the hangar and this has resulted in the prototype tailplane which was restored by Skysport becoming damp. Not a happy state of affairs. Thankfully Terry Pankhurst has taken home some of the more portable exhibits to dry them out and restore them as much as he can - a most welcome offer of help.

 Eddie also contacted his, son who works for Crittals about a replacement window frame for the far left

 window.All the window frames were badly rusted, but this one just had to be replaced.  This has now

 been bolted in place and we can actually see into the hangar and indeed when inside, the light coming

 in now is amazing. Trouble is it makes it easier to see all the other problems!!

 Inside we have cleaned off the inside of the corrugated wall with the three new windows, repainted it

 with a magnolia emulsion - not ideal, but a 1000 times better than before. The part Hornet fuselage

 has been moved and lowered to allow more light in and the exhibits are now being replaced. Eddie

 took the time to come in last Sunday to start repainting the floor, which I hope we can finish this weekend. The Horsa Glider has also been moved forward, so that we can get to the wall behind the Horsa, and David Baldwin will be trying to get a proper frame made to support this. Peter Widdicombe has been again using his amazing strength and stamina to repair and re-build the  path and to include a totally new entrance pathway fit for wheelchairs etc. Alan Bradstock and Peter have also taken down and totally rehung  the guttering to try and stop the rain pouring down the walls.

A brilliant effort by all concerned and I do hope I have not missed anyone out, like Lionel, young Will  and Nigel who all give us time when they can. Hopefully word will get around that we do have a most incredible exhibit in this very old but now brighter and more welcoming building. We shall also try and re-paint the floor in the main hangar before we open, if at all possible.

Terry Pankhurst helping us with the display to make it more user friendly - again much appreciated.                      Brian Kern