Comments on: Over the Front: the Great War in the air

By: Grant Prunster

Grant Prunster — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 04:31:42 +0000

I am constantly amazed at the WW1 “Over the Front” display. I enjoy taking new visitors to this section and find that they all have the same reaction as I did when I first saw it. Usually the next question is, “Where can we get a copy of the film?” I believe it was a special commission film and not available to the public, which is sad but understandable.

A possible suggestion to enhance the display would be to have a mannequin dressed in period uniform standing next to each of the aircraft. Maybe even two, showing the flying clothing and then one in dress uniform for the time.

Well done to everyone involved in making this exhibition available.

By: Lachlan

Lachlan — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:52:02 +0000

Hi – I had a few hours to kill in Canberra this afternoon and visited the AWM. The “Over the Front” display is absolutely outstanding – my very warmest congratulations and compliments to everyone involved in it. There were a couple of school groups watching the showing that I saw and I was astonished that 60-odd teenagers uttered not a sound while the thing was showing, and then initiated the applause when it finished. It was thoroughly well done, and very powerful and moving in a sensitive, subtle and respectful way. Again, my very warmest compliments.

By: Amanda Rebbeck

Amanda Rebbeck — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 00:14:13 +0000

Dear Andrew

Thank you for your kind comments regarding the Australian War Memorial’s First World War Aircraft Exhibition Over the Front. I am pleased that you were particularly interested in the restoration of the Albatros as it was a truly fascinating project. At this stage the Memorial has no immediate plans to formally publish information relating to the Albatros although we are continuing to undertake detailed research on the aircraft.

kind regards
Amanda Rebbeck

By: Andrew Haas

Andrew Haas — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:44:07 +0000

Recently visited the Memorial with the family whilst on holidays and was very impressed with the Over the Front exhibition. The aircraft on display are fantastic and quite an eye opener. They have inspired me to construct my own scale models of WW1 aircraft and my children are quite enthused as well (my son calls them plane ‘sculptures’). The blog re the restoration of the Albatross is very interesting – is the museum planning a booklet/book on the process as the details are fascinating and I think it would generate much interest?? Thankyou for all your outstanding work.

By: Robert Richardson

Robert Richardson — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:44:44 +0000

Recently (6th Dec) visited the museum and was fascinated by the overall display of the WW1 and 2 aircraft and artifacts. I have never seen better dioramas. Thank goodness somebody has looked after their WW1 original aircraft. It took all day to see these, although I did attend a guided tour which gave a very good overall overview of many parts of the museum. You have really achieved an excellent excellent standard and Peter Jackson’s film is both moving and superbly filmed.

Having been involved in building two aircraft (Sopwith Triplane and Bristol M.1c Monoplane) for the Shuttleworth Collection both to original drawings and powered by rotary engines, it was good to see the accuracy of all display items. (We are currently involved in the construction of a Sopwith Camel for the same museum).

Keep up the good work!