What's this conservator doing?
Elizabeth holding a rope...
Source: Museum Victoria
And this one?
Sam holding a rope...
Source: Museum Victoria
No, they're not flying giant kites in the Melbourne Museum foyer; they were carefully lowering our replica Duigan Biplane for cleaning last night.
Lowering the Duigan Biplane for cleaning.
Source: Museum Victoria
This kind of large-scale work takes place once museum visitors have left. It means that conservators can work some strange hours!
The dusty Duigan back on the ground ready for cleaning.
Source: Museum Victoria
The biplane was back up near the ceiling this morning, and the floor was clear for the return of the Deliverette, which has been in storage while the special Titanic exhibition desk occupied its place in the foyer.
Special delivery! The Deliverette van returning from the collection store.
Source: Museum Victoria
It's great to see this unique little van back in the building. It is a prototype small delivery vehicle designed in the late 1940s at the aircraft factory at Fishermen's Bend. The start of the Korean War halted its production. What a shame - the Deliverette would have been perfect for Melbourne's narrow laneways. Perhaps it could have become an iconic Melbourne vehicle like our trams.
Links:
Centennary of the Duigan Biplane's first flight
Deliverette on Collections Online