AIRBORNE ASSAULT COLLECTION SCOTLAND
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW DISPLAY BUILDING
Introduction and Project Summary
Within the Boundaries of Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum (D&GAM) is held the only dedicated Airborne Forces museum in Scotland. At present this is held in a small portakabin-type building, and only a fraction of the collection can be displayed within it. This collection is curated by Sgt James Kilbride, ex 2 PARA and 4 PARA and also the custodian of the Dakota gate guardian at Merville Barracks, Colchester.
This project is to relocate this collection to a purpose-built 2,500 square foot display building, allowing the whole collection to be displayed in one secure and dedicated location. This will allow the collection’s Horsa and Hotspur glider sections, airborne jeep, and Hadrian glider to be displayed under cover alongside the extensive array of weapons, uniform, kit and personal histories held by the museum.
Background on The Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum
Dumfries & Galloway Aviation Museum is fully accredited, entirely volunteer run, and in 2017 celebrates its fortieth anniversary. Centred around the original control tower of the former RAF Dumfries, the museum owns the own land, and have just completed construction of an identical building to that proposed which is now in use as the museum workshop. They have recently opened another building containing the museum’s restored Spitfire.
Project Scope, Aims and Objectives
The Airborne Assault Collection (Scotland) project offers a significant opportunity to develop an immersive museum experience to record and promote the proud history of airborne forces through provision of a high quality visitor experience in Scotland, allowing veterans and visitors alike to engage with the collection without having to travel to Duxford (300 miles south of Dumfries), but with a complimentary experience closely linked to that at Duxford and focussed, in particular, on the role of the many volunteers from Scotland that have shaped airborne forces heritage.
The project will encourage meaningful public engagement with airborne military heritage. The interpretation and information provided will be high-quality, easy-to-use and appropriate for the needs and interests of the visitor, and will enhance their understanding of and experience of the airborne forces.
Key Outputs
The key outputs from the project will be:
•A new 2,500 square foot museum facility.
•Creation of a destination attraction for veterans.
•Inclusion in the museum’s education program for schoolchildren.
•An opening event with re-dedication of the existing Airborne Forces Memorial on site.
•Creation of an annual Airborne Forces Day at the museum.
Links to Airborne Assault Duxford and Branding
Staff at the Airborne Assault Museum at Duxford have been extremely supportive of the project thus far and can see the benefit of utilising the title “Airborne Assault Collection Scotland” and similar logo as above, encouraging cross-promotion between the two facilities.
This close co-operative working has already resulted in a number of items from the Airborne Assault Duxford Reserve Collection being loaned for display to the collection in Scotland thereby providing an extended visitor audience for heritage items unable to be displayed elsewhere.
Regimentally, it would also provide reassurance to veterans in Scotland that this facility is ‘officially’ supported. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) would be put in place between the 2 collections supporting branding, labelling/text, loans, accessions, and providing a framework of joint working to ensure that both compliment rather than compete with one another and also provide a fixed location for additional “soft recruiting” for The Parachute Regiment.
The Building
The building itself will be a restored wartime Romney shed, of a type familiar to all forces personnel as many are still in use throughout the defence estates today. Planning permission has been granted by the local authority.
Finance
The project has been created in phases to spread the cost of the build. The first phase was funded by Museums Galleries Scotland who paid for the concrete base for the building, at the same time as they were funding other buildings on site. This work is complete, allowing for phase two to begin.
The second phase involves the erection of the building itself. The museum holds the building framework in stock, and this has been refurbished by museum volunteers and forces veterans. Funding is required to cover the cost of the cladding, electrical work and other construction costs.
The third phase involves the mounting of the actual display itself. Interpretation and display materials will be required for all exhibits, as well as some conservation work and the case of the Hadrian glider, transportation costs.
Item / Description / Cost / Funds raised / Sponsor / Shortfall1 / Concrete base, groundworks and landscaping / £8,000 / Yes / Museums
Galleries
Scotland / Nil
2 / Building refurbishment and all labour / Nil / N/A / D&GAM / Nil
3 / Building cladding, doors, electrical work, plant hire and fitting-out.
(Estimated by duplicating costs from the identical building which has just been completed) / £10,000 / £5,000 / D&GAM / £5,000
4 / Mounting of display to include limited conservation work required, interpretation and display materials, transport of Hadrian glider. / £5,000 / £5000
Running costs for the facility will be covered by the D&GAM.
Museum volunteers are already experienced in the erection of these buildings, and have the support in kind of many local businesses in their endeavours. Costs are always kept to a minimum, and re-use and re-purposing of materials allied with diligent disposal practices ensures the lowest environmental impact possible.
Financial Legacy
As the Collection functions as a subsidiary of the aviation museum, all future running costs and building maintenance costs will be borne by the aviation museum itself from their regular income. The museum is financially independent and has never received core funding in its forty year history.
Outline Plan for Delivery
Phase two October 2017 – April 2018
Phase threeApril 2018 – August 2018
Opening event August/September 2018 (Subject to completion of phase two and event planning)
Risk Assessment
FinancialSuccessful delivery of the project depends on sufficient funds being raised to cover the costs of the remaining two phases. D&GAM and Museums Galleries Scotland have invested £13,00 in the project so far.
OperationalAvailability of museum volunteers and supporters to carry out the actual construction phase of the project will require careful monitoring as the majority are retired. This can be mitigated with the help of veterans, as much of the work is unskilled.
WeatherPoor weather may delay completion of phase two, but it is thought sufficient time has been allowed to cover this, even in the event of a particularly poor winter.
Project Management
The project will be administered by D&GAM volunteers, who have recent construction experience of erecting this type of wartime building.
Their project manager will be responsible for:
•Health and safety
•Project timetable
•Purchasing and Procurement
•Progress reporting
•Provision of manpower
Interpretation of exhibits will be carried out by museum staff, with input from
veterans and specialists in the field, particularly Airborne Assault Duxford.
Conclusion
The project offers a cost effective solution to provide a complimentary heritage display in Scotland for The Parachute Regiment and airborne forces whilst celebrating Scotland’s airborne heritage with a purpose designed, object orientated display.
Donations
All cheques should be made payable to The Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum. Care of James Kilbride, RHQ PARA, Merville Barracks, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7UT.
Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum Registered Charity No: SC035189. Company No: SC257787.
Members of BAPC, BAAC and Scottish Museums Council