What do I with my Dad’s aviation design/info/models/photos?
Discussion
Apologies in advance for long post and picture heavy. I felt the need to share.
Sadly my Father passed away on Saturday 10th August aged 82 after battling cancer. I’ve often posted here about his aviation history, avid modelling and general wealth of knowledge on all things flying and other.
He started out as an apprentice design engineer, cycled from Abertillery in South Wales to RAF Defford every weekend (lodging in Pershore during the week where he met my Mum) then worked at RAE Pershore before being moved to RAE Thurleigh as design office manager. Even in retirement he consulted with many many companies and establishments, even worked and designed for Airship Industries at Cardington, helped out the guys looking after the Dakota (one of his specialities and his ‘taxi’ plane for meetings out of Thurleigh) for BBMF and those at Bruntingthorpe who have ‘my Dad’s treble three’.
My Dad told me a story once how in his early days he was scribbling and doodling, redesigning the cockpit of the Canberra as he felt the navigator was seated in the wrong place (from what I recall). One of ‘top Boffins’ called him in to his office one afternoon and told Dad to take a seat as he wanted a word. My Father said he felt somewhat anxious and assumed he was in trouble, perhaps for doodling on company time.
It transpired the boss had indeed seen his doodles, but rather than being in trouble he explained to my Dad how he liked his idea. There was a spare Canberra cockpit which he’d ordered round to the hangar/workshop and it was my Dad’s to do as he wished with. He did indeed redesign it and told me that any Canberra that came in for servicing was modified to his design. Obviously I only have his tale to go by. He never talked much about his work. I know a lot of it was radar system based.
After retirement he focussed more on the modelling side of things. This evening I went in to his modelling room which is just as he left it. I pulled one of many folders from a shelf and started looking through... wow. Sooo many drawings and plans and photos. Then I started to look at some of the models. They’re everywhere. A garage full, shelves on the landing, in boxes in corners, under beds and on top of wardrobes, a loft full. Whilst I’m fascinated by it all I don’t know what to do with it. Some of the Canberra and Dakota SIG stuff has already been taken by his model club.
This information must be valuable to someone? If not just sentimental to me. But I have no idea where to start. I did think contacting the guys at Bruntingthorpe and asking them as I know they knew my Dad. Any other suggestions?
Some pictures I took this evening of the photos (there are many files and folders and books)
Modelling room
Albums full of hundreds of photos of Dakotas, boxes and shelves full of models of Dakotas in every room and garage
Sadly my Father passed away on Saturday 10th August aged 82 after battling cancer. I’ve often posted here about his aviation history, avid modelling and general wealth of knowledge on all things flying and other.
He started out as an apprentice design engineer, cycled from Abertillery in South Wales to RAF Defford every weekend (lodging in Pershore during the week where he met my Mum) then worked at RAE Pershore before being moved to RAE Thurleigh as design office manager. Even in retirement he consulted with many many companies and establishments, even worked and designed for Airship Industries at Cardington, helped out the guys looking after the Dakota (one of his specialities and his ‘taxi’ plane for meetings out of Thurleigh) for BBMF and those at Bruntingthorpe who have ‘my Dad’s treble three’.
My Dad told me a story once how in his early days he was scribbling and doodling, redesigning the cockpit of the Canberra as he felt the navigator was seated in the wrong place (from what I recall). One of ‘top Boffins’ called him in to his office one afternoon and told Dad to take a seat as he wanted a word. My Father said he felt somewhat anxious and assumed he was in trouble, perhaps for doodling on company time.
It transpired the boss had indeed seen his doodles, but rather than being in trouble he explained to my Dad how he liked his idea. There was a spare Canberra cockpit which he’d ordered round to the hangar/workshop and it was my Dad’s to do as he wished with. He did indeed redesign it and told me that any Canberra that came in for servicing was modified to his design. Obviously I only have his tale to go by. He never talked much about his work. I know a lot of it was radar system based.
After retirement he focussed more on the modelling side of things. This evening I went in to his modelling room which is just as he left it. I pulled one of many folders from a shelf and started looking through... wow. Sooo many drawings and plans and photos. Then I started to look at some of the models. They’re everywhere. A garage full, shelves on the landing, in boxes in corners, under beds and on top of wardrobes, a loft full. Whilst I’m fascinated by it all I don’t know what to do with it. Some of the Canberra and Dakota SIG stuff has already been taken by his model club.
This information must be valuable to someone? If not just sentimental to me. But I have no idea where to start. I did think contacting the guys at Bruntingthorpe and asking them as I know they knew my Dad. Any other suggestions?
Some pictures I took this evening of the photos (there are many files and folders and books)
Modelling room
Albums full of hundreds of photos of Dakotas, boxes and shelves full of models of Dakotas in every room and garage
So many photos of Treble three. I will choose some to be framed and hang them in my house. It would be nice to know what I’m looking at as some are far too technical for me to figure out!
My Dad’s handwriting and doodles in WT333
He was always so proud of his work and loved talking aviation and engine/fuel systems etc. My sister and I were brought up in and out of RAF bases, airshows all over the country (I loved Mildenhall, SR71 was my favourite and seeing Vulcans flying in formation)
We were told in June they’d discovered a stomach cancer (after he twice battled Leukaemia in to remission) and he was given palliative status with a few weeks to live. He died at home, where my eldest son cared 24/7 for him, and with us present. Until his last days he could still explain all the systems and what was what and which plane etc.
Dad is bottom right, the chap with the huge collars and no tie.
Edited by Gretchen on Tuesday 20th August 21:00
I’m sorry to hear about your Father. As a keen modeller myself I appreciate his work - the Dakotas look excellent. If there are any unbuilt kits, you could donate them to Models for Heroes:
https://www.modelsforheroes.co.uk/
I’m sure the design information would be taken by a museum.
https://www.modelsforheroes.co.uk/
I’m sure the design information would be taken by a museum.
What a truly remarkable man. What a treasure store for you to be able to look over - and what a wonderful thought to be willing to have parts of it go to somewhere where others can see it, too.
It is always a sad time losing a parent.
My father was killed, in the Middle East where we lived at the time, by a drunk driver, whilst on his way to work.
It was one of only a handful of times that I hadn't gotten up to have breakfast with him. That was hard at seven and a half.
My mother and I came back to this country, where we eventually moved to Norfolk and I got to see the myriad of boxes of Hornby, and other makes, of train kit - tens of meters of track, numerous transformers, trains galore, only for my mother to sell them off for a song, when I'd loved to have kept them and be exploring them with my son.
If you can find a museum to donate items to, I'd suggest you see if you can work with them to establish how your father is portrayed and how the items displayed. As you say though, not everything he did may be relevant or even allowed to be shared.
Always, though, worth considering keeping more than a few photos, for your children, or family, to see and touch.
I share the pain you are probably experiencing, and hope that the days, weeks and months ahead help you come to terms with all of the positives from his life and time with you and that you do not just this moment of sadness as your abiding memory.
It is always a sad time losing a parent.
My father was killed, in the Middle East where we lived at the time, by a drunk driver, whilst on his way to work.
It was one of only a handful of times that I hadn't gotten up to have breakfast with him. That was hard at seven and a half.
My mother and I came back to this country, where we eventually moved to Norfolk and I got to see the myriad of boxes of Hornby, and other makes, of train kit - tens of meters of track, numerous transformers, trains galore, only for my mother to sell them off for a song, when I'd loved to have kept them and be exploring them with my son.
If you can find a museum to donate items to, I'd suggest you see if you can work with them to establish how your father is portrayed and how the items displayed. As you say though, not everything he did may be relevant or even allowed to be shared.
Always, though, worth considering keeping more than a few photos, for your children, or family, to see and touch.
I share the pain you are probably experiencing, and hope that the days, weeks and months ahead help you come to terms with all of the positives from his life and time with you and that you do not just this moment of sadness as your abiding memory.
Gretchen
The last place is in the skip
I agree with FAST being a good starting point, Duxford perhaps as well? Anything RAF Cosford. Let each have a look thorugh to see if there is anything of interest, they may also put you in directions not thought off so to speak.I he was a RAE then perhaps the lads at Woodley near Reading could be interested as well esp the models but not the tip, as resort Ebay?
The last place is in the skip
I agree with FAST being a good starting point, Duxford perhaps as well? Anything RAF Cosford. Let each have a look thorugh to see if there is anything of interest, they may also put you in directions not thought off so to speak.I he was a RAE then perhaps the lads at Woodley near Reading could be interested as well esp the models but not the tip, as resort Ebay?
Firstly thank you for all the lovely words and kind thoughts and wishes. He was an amazing bloke and I miss him being my man and go to. I don’t think I ever had a problem or issue that he couldn’t resolve.
He helped so many strangers out too. Just a couple of winters ago came across a lad on a country lane who’d ditched his car. Dad went home to fetch a tow rope and offered to recover him. Whilst back home another neighbour asked him to jump start her car. Which he promised to do once he’d pulled the lad out the ditch. He was 80!
Thank you for all the great suggestions. I’m fairly sure some of his work is in a museum somewhere or a private collection. My Mum should know. I’ve told family not to rush anything as i’d like to go through it. There’s a lot. So many drawings and plans, probably radar stuff? I know he did a lot in that area.
His model club have taken some of his models at his request in his last few weeks. I’ve been informed they may be on display at The Shuttleworth Collection at some point, in one of the hangars.
Please keep sharing your stories too. It makes me smile and keeps all the memories alive.
Thanks again
He helped so many strangers out too. Just a couple of winters ago came across a lad on a country lane who’d ditched his car. Dad went home to fetch a tow rope and offered to recover him. Whilst back home another neighbour asked him to jump start her car. Which he promised to do once he’d pulled the lad out the ditch. He was 80!
Thank you for all the great suggestions. I’m fairly sure some of his work is in a museum somewhere or a private collection. My Mum should know. I’ve told family not to rush anything as i’d like to go through it. There’s a lot. So many drawings and plans, probably radar stuff? I know he did a lot in that area.
His model club have taken some of his models at his request in his last few weeks. I’ve been informed they may be on display at The Shuttleworth Collection at some point, in one of the hangars.
Please keep sharing your stories too. It makes me smile and keeps all the memories alive.
Thanks again
My condolences to you and your family.
As others have suggested, maybe contact Duxford IWM and see if they'll be interested:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford
As others have suggested, maybe contact Duxford IWM and see if they'll be interested:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford
Gretchen, my condolences for the loss of your father. It is very hard to come to terms with how such a wealth of knowledge and experience can suddenly just disappear with that last breath. Scientists and engineers of that generation who worked in government research establishments seem like a breed apart these days.
My own father was ex-RAE. We lost him at the beginning of August, and buried him yesterday, so your post is particularly topical and poignant. After an apprenticeship in two aircraft companies, he joined RAE in 1948 and left the MOD in 1985.
There is an RAE Defford museum, although I don't know anything about it: RAE Defford Museum
I know the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum do their best to archive good stuff and then if they have duplicates, sell magazines and such like to raise funds for the museum upkeep.
There is also a Malvern Museum which may cover the work of the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) and its outstations.
"He was an amazing bloke and I miss him being my man and go to. I don’t think I ever had a problem or issue that he couldn’t resolve." This 100% (with the exception of computers in my Dad's case, but that's what grandchildren are for)
My own father was ex-RAE. We lost him at the beginning of August, and buried him yesterday, so your post is particularly topical and poignant. After an apprenticeship in two aircraft companies, he joined RAE in 1948 and left the MOD in 1985.
There is an RAE Defford museum, although I don't know anything about it: RAE Defford Museum
I know the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum do their best to archive good stuff and then if they have duplicates, sell magazines and such like to raise funds for the museum upkeep.
There is also a Malvern Museum which may cover the work of the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) and its outstations.
"He was an amazing bloke and I miss him being my man and go to. I don’t think I ever had a problem or issue that he couldn’t resolve." This 100% (with the exception of computers in my Dad's case, but that's what grandchildren are for)
Edited by GliderRider on Friday 23 August 21:04
GliderRider said:
Gretchen, my condolences for the loss of your father. It is very hard to come to terms with how such a wealth of knowledge and experience can suddenly just disappear with that last breath. Scientists and engineers of that generation who worked in government research establishments seem like a breed apart these days.
My own father was ex-RAE. We lost him at the beginning of August, and buried him yesterday, so your post is particularly topical and poignant. After an apprenticeship in two aircraft companies, he joined RAE in 1948 and left the MOD in 1985.
There is an RAE Defford museum, although I don't know anything about it: RAE Defford Museum
I know the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum do their best to archive good stuff and then if they have duplicates, sell magazines and such like to raise funds for the museum upkeep.
There is also a Malvern Museum which may cover the work of the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) and its outstations.
I’m sorry for your loss My own father was ex-RAE. We lost him at the beginning of August, and buried him yesterday, so your post is particularly topical and poignant. After an apprenticeship in two aircraft companies, he joined RAE in 1948 and left the MOD in 1985.
There is an RAE Defford museum, although I don't know anything about it: RAE Defford Museum
I know the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum do their best to archive good stuff and then if they have duplicates, sell magazines and such like to raise funds for the museum upkeep.
There is also a Malvern Museum which may cover the work of the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) and its outstations.
. My Father probably knew yours. You’re so right about them. Dad also worked at Malvern next to the Morgan factory. He drove me around Dafford in March as my Uncle’s funeral took place at Pershore Abbey. He wanted to visit the museum there at some point so I’ll probably make the trip and take my Mum at some point as it’s where she grew up/they met.
Thank you x
Gretchen said:
I’m sorry for your loss . My Father probably knew yours. You’re so right about them.
Dad also worked at Malvern next to the Morgan factory. He drove me around Dafford in March as my Uncle’s funeral took place at Pershore Abbey. He wanted to visit the museum there at some point so I’ll probably make the trip and take my Mum at some point as it’s where she grew up/they met.
Thank you x
Gretchen, its quite possible, although Dad started out as a Flight Test Observer, then moved onto developing survival equipment, parachutes, harnesses, pressure suits, water purifiers for life rafts etc. I do remember a friend's father at RAE telling me how he was standing next to a Canberra (I've no idea which one) when they were doing a positive pressure test on the crew compartment. Suddenly, the entry hatch blew off and killed the man standing next to him.. My Father probably knew yours. You’re so right about them. Dad also worked at Malvern next to the Morgan factory. He drove me around Dafford in March as my Uncle’s funeral took place at Pershore Abbey. He wanted to visit the museum there at some point so I’ll probably make the trip and take my Mum at some point as it’s where she grew up/they met.
Thank you x
The great thing about RAE Farnborough was that within the security fence you could find recognised experts in their field in just about any scientific or engineering field.
A friend of mine's father worked at RSRE, and I went to stay with them; this was about 1982. We just walked to the Morgan factory one day, knocked on the door and asked for a tour. We got one there and then. We were only about 17 years old at the time, so hardly likely to be in a position to buy a Plus 8; though our guide said, by the time your name gets to the top of the waiting list you will have saved up enough!
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