STICK flying high

Hi. My name is Ian Brown and I am the National Museums Scotland representative on the STICK Steering Group. My daytime job (not that STICK meets at night – we’re not vampires!) is Assistant Curator of Aviation and I’m based at the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune in East Lothian. Although I have a passion for industrial history my professional interest ensures that the transport element of STICK isn’t forgotten about.

But being a STICKy member is only part of my work, and with a job like mine it’s hard to call it work. Who wouldn’t want to be responsible for looking after Concorde as well as a Spitfire and several dozen other aircraft? Added to that are all the small objects that tell the personal stories of the people who worked on and flew these aircraft. They tell a Scottish and international story and none more so than the Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft which used to operate from RAF Kinloss in Moray. We’ve just acquired the forward fuselage of one which was based at Kinloss but also participated in the second Gulf War. Sounds like a good reason to visit the National Museum of Flight again soon!

Our new Nimrod section framed by the wing of the Scotish Aviation Twin Pioneer.

But back to STICK. Being a member of the STICK network is a fantastic experience. It’s great fun and a wonderful way to meet and work with colleagues from museums and other organisations across Scotland. Not only have I learned a lot about industrial history and technology, but I’ve had a great time doing so. If you’re not already a member of STICK, I wholeheartedly recommend you get in touch and get involved. I’m glad I did.