Baldonnel Military Airbase - In response to a Dáil question on 17 December, the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney MP, told Robert Dowds MP (Labour Party TD for Dublin Mid-West) that officers in his department "
Is currently reviewing proposals from the Irish Aviation Foundation (IHFF) to develop a new aviation museum/heritage center at Baldonnel"
Baldonnel Military Airbase
The IHFF is an initiative of the Irish aviation industry, established in December 2014, to promote aviation heritage in the state. It has a fleet of three de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft flying in Air Corps colors and a historic (Aer Lingus) de Havilland DH 84 Dragon. In addition to the restoration work already done, the IHFF aims to establish a unique 'aviation experience' facility, allowing the public to view historic aircraft up close and gain a deeper scientific understanding of aviation. and get up.
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"There is now ongoing discussion between the Secretary-General of the DoD and the Chief Executive Officer of the IAA, regarding the transfer of land to the Foundation"
"Funding has been identified from the industry sector for the building. The foundation intends to submit a formal planning application by the end of the year with a view to having the site in place in 2017."
"Instead of a static museum, it will be a modern interactive space, where visitors will be immersed in an airplane"
, he observes. This follows a feasibility study for a new air museum, based on the existing Air Corps collection, conducted by the Air Corps/South Dublin Medical Center and CHL Consulting Group, specialists in mission development, management and research proposals. in the year 2014.
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"While I am committed to encouraging business, economic development and planning of this nature, the impact of such development in this area must be carefully considered as Baldonnel is very important. , as the headquarters of the Irish Air Force and the only military airport in the country."
It would be a shame if the Ministry of Defense had second thoughts about creating a site in Baldonnel, because it is the most visible and most appropriate place, to introduce the concept of dedicated equipment of 'aviation experience' to go. The airport has significant aviation history, as it was the site of the first non-stop transatlantic flight, on the demanding East-West leg, in 1928. The flight was piloted by Captain James Fitzmaurice of the Air Corps. It was also the first Aer Lingus service, on 27 May 1936, to Bristol Airport (Whitchurch), using an original de Havilland DH 84 Dragon, EI-ABI. It is also the place where Douglas Corrigan landed on his famous 'mistake' across the Atlantic.
Equally important in determining the suitability of Baldonnel, is its proximity to the capital, as well as major population centers in the counties of Greater Dublin. This place can attract not only Irish people but also foreigners by being part of various tourism routes in the Leinster region.
In addition, the IHFF is supported by the Irish Civil Aviation Authority (IAA), Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and Stobart Air and a group of volunteers. He also previously claimed the support of the Air Corps, the Ministry of Defense and given that Baldonnel already has a large collection of Irish aviation artifacts it would be a great disappointment if this could not be the heart of the home. traditional clothes in the middle. .
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Although Casement Aerodrome (named in honor of the patriot Roger Casement, in February 1965), was the base of the first Air Force of the Irish Air Corps, the property of the current airport covers an area of approximately 70 hectares (ha 28.33). In this area it is certainly possible to create space for 'modern aviation equipment', without taking into account the need for the state to have a solid military base, suitable for the use of the largest level of intergovernmental operations, to issue intelligence and the status of arrival/departure for personnel involved in military, or government operations.
Ultimately, the selection of a site other than Baldonnel will put a big question mark on the current museum. While it is admitted that security and operational considerations limit public access, which is by appointment only on weekdays, this is linked to the location of the museum, in a hangar built by the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, near the main house. ramp. , rather than anything else.
The Museum and Archives of the Irish Air Corps, as it now exists, began its journey in the autumn of 2000. It came under the establishment of No 4 Support Wing (Engineering) and was established to discover, collect, preserve and preserve the history . and possibly Air Corps artifacts. The museum is staffed full-time by one employee, Airman Michael Whelan MA, but is assisted by retired Air Corps personnel on occasion, as well as regular volunteer staff. . Air Corp personnel are currently handling all of the artefact recovery. But in recent days, and under the leadership and support of the GOC of the current and previous Civil Aviation Authority, the project has progressed. It would be an incomparable loss of opportunity, if the interest of the aviation industry, appeared at the launch of Avolon's book, 'Pioneers and Pilots, a Century of Irish Aviation' and the IHFF at Baldonnel on June 30 (see here) , unable to see the work from below. Hoping for the views expressed by An Taoiseach at the moment, that the big plans that the IHFF has for the future.
, when he promised to support the Ministry of Defense and the Air Force, on this project.
List Of Aviation Museums
Currently, the Air Corps Museum and Art Gallery offers a collection of aircraft and other aviation exhibits that outline the rich history of the Air Force and aviation in Ireland. It has two Bofors AA guns, Timony Fire Engine, Radar Motors, Link Trainer, Beech Simulator, a nice collection of memorabilia, and a collection of scale models like the following aircraft:-
In addition, there is a De Havilland Chipmunk T.20, '168', which was newly delivered to the Royal Air Force on 31 January 1952. It was part of the Air Corps collection for some time and has been restored to flying status and joins two other IHFF Chipmunks, G-ARGG (C1/0247), which is painted to represent Air Corps example '169', and G-BDRJ (C1/0742), which flies like '170 '.
There are also two stumps in Baldonnel. De Havilland DH-104 Dove 6, EI-BJW, G-ASNG (c/n 04485) and Cessna 172B, G-ARLU (c/n 48502). The old aircraft was recovered from Waterford shipyard, replacing a Reims Cessna FR-172H, '207', which was "written off" due to salt water damage, after sinking into the sea after being forced to land from Gormanston. G-ARLU was delivered to Baldonnel from the UK in October 1977, for use as a training aircraft by the Academy, after "irreparable damage" in a storm the previous month.
Finally, in 2014, Fouga CM-170 Magister R, EI-BXO, ex-Finnish Air Force (FM-28), was transferred to Baldonnel. This was the only Irish registered Magister registered to Gerry Connolly on 21 November 1988. She made her first public appearance as EI-BXO two days later; She sailed until 1991 when she was placed in open storage at the East Ramp near Shannon. On 15 April 1996 the aircraft was registered to Christy Keane of Saggart, County Dublin. She spent many years at Toughers Oil depot in Newbridge, County Kildare before moving to Northern Ireland.
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The Air Corps is also currently lending two aircraft to the Irish Museum at Collins Barracks, which are currently on display in a major military exhibition run by the museum. These were the De Havilland Vampire T.11, '198' (c/n 15563) and the Miles M14A Magister, '34; (c/n 1028).
So with 17 aircraft at Baldonnel and two at Collins Barracks, this is a significant group of aircraft, apart from those flying with the IHFF. This in fact compares well with the Air Corps currently operating a fleet of 23 aircraft, and three managed by the Air Corps for An Garda Síochána related activities; namely two EC 135 helicopters and one Fixed Wing Defender 4000. The operational vehicles, 15 Fixed Wing and eight Rotary, are currently available to the Air Corps. Sixteen Fixed Wing aircraft include a Learjet 45, two CASA Maritime Patrol aircraft, five Cessna aircraft and seven Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, which are mostly used for pilot training. The rotating fleet consists of six AW 139 and two EC 135 helicopters.
Therefore, if the Ministry of Defense approves the project of the museum and provides a place, it will be an important source of education that attracts students and tourists alike. Combined with the operational aircraft of the IHFF, it will be a unique and living history and heritage project.
Financing this will be a challenging and important part
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