Visit
to the Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group’s (RMARG)
Report
by Brian Foord
In response to an enquiry regarding a possible
visit by SHHAS members
to the Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group’s (RMARG) Museum
at RAF Welford, Don Summers their chairman suggested that we
first arrange a small “recce” group visit to assess the suitability for
a larger group visit later on. On Wednesday 18th April three of us made
the trip to RAF Welford just north of Newbury. Arriving at about 10.30
we were met at the main gate and escorted to the Museum. They are a
society similar to us and although they research all things military,
aviation forms the greater part of their interests.
Their
Museum is housed in quite a large building and has two floors.
They share the facilities with another society The Friends, Family and
Veterans of Welford (FFVW). The FFVW have most of their exhibits on the
first floor along with a well equipped lecture theatre. The ground
floor is crammed with RMARG’s exhibits and the highlights include a
fully working Link Trainer, unfortunately on the day we were
there it
was being recalibrated and so was not in use but Don said that when we
visit again any budding pilots would be welcome to try their hand in
it
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Link Trainer
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Link Trainer
instrument panel
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C-47 Dakota
cockpit section |
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Inside the C-47 |
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A front fully equipped cockpit section of a C47 Dakota (another
opportunity for “Hanger” pilots) A 7/8 size replica section of a Horsa
Glider, which was
made for the film “A
Bridge Too Far”. Inside of this
they have laid out simulated positions for the Radio operator and
Navigator as it would be in a Lancaster bomber. For effect when viewing
this exhibit they can turn on the sound of four “Merlins” roaring away.
Lots of other exhibits
make up this superb little museum. We were there
for 4+ hours and didn’t get around to seeing all the detail. Although
they are well subsidised by the USAF who whole heartedly support the
museum and help with tasks that is beyond the reach of their society,
RMARG volunteer members put in a tremendous amount of effort in
maintaining and constructing exhibits to preserve a very important part
of local history. While we were there a couple of them were making
replica Browning machine guns from odds and ends to fit into a
Lancaster mid upper turret that they have acquired. What shone through
above all was their sheer enthusiasm for their museum and hobby.
I hope enough of our members are interested in arranging a visit, I for
one am certainly looking forward to a second trip. Don Summers did say
that if anybody has any old artefacts that they no longer want they
would be only too happy to accept them. Likewise,
because of maintenance costs and the fact that they don’t charge for
admission any donations would be gratefully received.
Oh yes, one other point, if we can make it on a Wednesday we are
allowed to use the USAF catering facilities. – they do nice Burgers!!
BRF.
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