Munters guards the nation's guardians

Citation

(1998), "Munters guards the nation's guardians", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770caf.002

Munters guards the nation's guardians

Munters guards the nation's guardians

Keywords Aircraft, Dehumidifying

RAF Manston, home to the Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum, is using Munters desiccant dehumidification technology to ensure that its exhibits remain in pristine condition, free from the ravages of condensation.

The RAF Manston Museum's Hurricane is protected from corrosion by Munters desiccant dehumidification technology

Situated at one of the very few surviving operational air fields that participated in the Battle of Britain, the museum is home to Spitfire TB 752 and Hurricane LF 751. Both fighters took part in the latter stages of Second World War, with TB 752 having accounted for four enemy aircraft prior to its retirement. Having played their part in the nation's defence, both aircraft were later used as gate-guardians; the Spitfire at RAF Manston itself and the Hurricane at RAF Bentley Priory. Unsurprisingly, being exposed to the elements for so many years caused massive corrosion, and it was thanks to the skills of the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society that both aircraft have been returned to their former glory.

The Museum also houses the Battle of Britain Tapestry, a unique and beautiful embroidery that pays tribute to all those who defended the country in 1940. The tapestry was given into the safe custody of the museum on behalf of the RAF Benevolent Fund in July 1997 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

RAF Manston itself has an equally illustrious history, having played a decisive role in the Battle of Britain, thanks to its position as the closest airfield to the then enemy coast. It was also the airfield that saw Swordfish of 825 Squadron leave to complete their attacks against the German Battlecruisers Scharnhorst,Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. The famous Dambusters also carried out some of their early trials from Manston and its role as a forward strike base was unequalled for day and night fighter operations.

With its long association with the RAF, Britain's military fliers having used it since 1916, it seemed natural that the £130,000 museum should be housed at RAF Manston. Hard work in both restoration and voluntary fund raising ensured this would happen, and to make equally sure that none of this hard work was wasted, the museum decided to fit the very best atmospheric controls.

Having been used in numerous other RAF establishments, it was not long before Munters were called on to propose a solution to the problem, which the company did with its customary vigour and professionalism.

Having taken some preliminary readings of the ambient conditions within the museum, the team from Munters recommended that two wall-mounted ML420 dehumidifiers would keep the atmosphere at a level that was safe for both aircraft. Munters desiccant dehumidifiers work by drawing damp air through a rotor impregnated with silica gel or lithium chloride, which removes the moisture, allowing the now dry air to be reintroduced to any affected area.

Since their installation, both dehumidifiers have performed successfully, leaving both the building free from condensation and the aircraft free from corrosion. If, as Munters expect, the dehumidifiers perform only a fraction as well as the famous aircraft they guard, then generations to come will be able to experience the thrill of being so close to two of the nation's most trusted guardians.

Details from Munters Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1480 432243; Fax: +44 (0) 1480 413147.