Brussels collection in danger

[Varese2002]

As is probably known the Brussels Air Museum will be renovated, which makes it necessary to move all exhibitions in storage for an unknown period (4 years ?). As you can read there are serious concerns for the quality of the storage, where the older aircraft and artifacts will detoriate. As the Brussels museum is the holder of unique WW1 aircraft and artifacts (by the way engines) I bring the following sites to your attention, which give more details and give the possibility for an electronic petition.

Text of the petition

Concerning the renovation of the Brussels Air Museum’s main hall and the preservation of its exhibits.

Since the end of 2006, information has been circulating about the renovation of the aviation hall in the Musée Royal de l’Armée de Bruxelles. This building is a remarkable architectural structure situated on an exceptional site.
It’s renovation has become a matter of some urgency in order to conserve it and give it back some of its original splendour.

In order to achieve this, the authorities have unfortunately decided to move the whole collection of aircraft and associated pieces (more than 100 exhibits) and to store them for the duration of the renovation (an undisclosed number of years). We believe that in taking care of the container (the aviation hall), the richness of its content is being ignored.

The people behind this message, all active members for many years of a non-profit making association formed for the creation and development of the « Musée de l’Air »(Air Museum), have the gravest concerns for the treatment of the collection during its closure to the public. This public is the best guarantee of the survival of the collection.

The state of aircraft previously in good condition which have been removed in the past, shows that the storage conditions and conservation in the reserve facility are deplorable and the entire collection would degrade. We also know that the storage facility hasn’t even the minimum level of security. Even worse still, the oldest and rarest aircraft which happen to be the most fragile could not be transported without being severely degraded thus compromising their value both historically and technologically.The museum would thus find itself with a wonderfully renovated building filled with wrecks which it would not have the money nor the means nor the will to restore and look after the machines that it exhibits.

The restoration of these aircraft depends entirely on the finances and the volunteers of the non-profit making associations concerned.

Experience and current information show that the museum has neither the budget, the technical means, the logistics, the human resources, or the skills to carry through such a project successfully.

The renovation project has not yet been officially budgeted but the moving of exhibits has already begun. This leads us to believe that despite the time estimated for the work being four years, the collection would be remote and inaccessible for a much longer time.

We also question the reason for this rush since on the advice of experts, this moving (of the aircraft) is pointless and that extensive work elsewhere of the same type does not necessitate the removal of exhibits or the closure of the building.

Despite official guarantees that no movement of any of the exhibits in the collection would take place before the definition of the global project, to include transparency of information and the obtaining the means to finance it, this is actually happening surreptitiously.

On the other hand the creators of this section of the museum have had the « largesse »of spirit to create a museum that covers all aspects of the history of aviation. In spite of being in a Military museum, one can see civil aircraft, microlights, balloons, machines constructed by amateurs and Belgian military aircraft. This richness recognised by all visitors, will disappear and all that will remain will be historical Belgian military aircraft. Our collection is part of our national heritage. It is recognized and appreciated the world over; we cannot therefore be part of its demise.

All we ask is that details of every aspect of the project be published, that all those involved (including the volunteers) are informed and consulted, that a minimum number of aircraft are moved to enable the renovation to take place and that this section of the museum stays open, even if only partially whilst the work takes place.

It is our future heritage that is in question as well as the credibility of our country and those responsible for the museum.

Anyone with a desire to preserve our heritage for future generations is welcome. Please help by signing our petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/peti...

The Volunteers : email bamf.bamrs@gmail.com (bamf.bamrs - bamf & bamrs links )

Brussels historics under threat here.

Brussels Air Museum future here

The museum has for the only remaining example of the Halberstadt C.V in the collection, now prabably for years in restauration.

Halberstadt C.V pictures from photos on webshots



Kees

[Sreiko]

I hope that they have enough financial power to solve this situation. Also donation could help- I believe that there is a lot of empty factory hall or hangars or storage depots, or railroad storage depots or Air Force empty hangars which could be used for secure storage of the material and airplane from collection.

[Biber]

More pictures were recently posted on GMIC: Brussels Air Museum - Gentleman's Military Interest Club

B

[Doc]

I am a frequent user of the research facilities at the Brussels Air Museum, and I know some of their staff pretty well. Thus, on seeing this petition and the recent article in Aeroplane (August), I thought it might be useful to get the other side of the story. I contacted Mr. Etienne Reunis, the curator of the air museum, who provided the following comments, which are an extract from a letter he has written to the Aeroplane editor:

"I just read your recent column, and would like to correct, with you, some important points about the topic.

I have been working full time as a historian for the Air and Space Department for the last 27 years and as Head of the same department for some six or seven years. Our Head Curator, Mr. Patrick Lefèvre, left two years ago and has since been replaced by a General Director, Mr. Ph. Thilly, and by Mr. P. Nefors, Ph D, who is in charge of the daily management of our museum.

I did not receive any request from you, nor did my superiors inform me about such a demand. This is regrettable, as I think you were misinformed or received incomplete information about the Hall and our projects ....

1. Even in case of (extensive) refurbishment, all our WWI planes will stay in the museum. This decision was taken some months ago, after a careful study of all possibilities.

2. The damp and windblown hangars are a thing of the past. Ten years ago, it was quite true, which was very unfortunate, but the present shelters give exactly the same protection as the Great Hall. What's more, the more fragile aircraft would go to even better shelters, as used by the armed forces for their current equipment. We have a permanent contact with the Belgian Air Force, in order to get the best conditioning, help and shelters available.

3. It's not true at all that most of the museum's activity is undertaken by volunteers. Some of these volunteers played a major role in the creation of the Department 35 years ago, and some still give the museum a big hand. Their efforts are truly appreciated, but the daily actions, the general management, the maintenance, the general services of the museum (PR, libraries, education, guided tours, publications,...) are completely staffed by permanent personnel. The cafeteria and the shop are still run by volunteers, as this allows for the funding of their activities.

4. There is no decision whatsoever about the "re-establishment as a tribute solely to Belgian aviation". The management is fully aware of the unique variety and the value of the diversity of our collection ( both Belgian and foreign, both civil and military).

5. You speak about "failure of museum management". Exactly the opposite is true. We do are utmost to optimize the museum and our collections. The present possible refurbishment precisely aims at preserving the collections for future generations."

I hope this at least gives a bit of balance to the discussion. Doc