±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 187
Total: 187
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Photo Gallery
03: Home
04: CPGlang
05: Community Forums
06: News
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: CPGlang
10: Home
11: Community Forums
12: Community Forums
13: Home
14: Community Forums
15: Community Forums
16: Community Forums
17: Community Forums
18: Community Forums
19: Community Forums
20: Statistics
21: Community Forums
22: Community Forums
23: Statistics
24: Community Forums
25: Community Forums
26: CPGlang
27: Downloads
28: Photo Gallery
29: Community Forums
30: Home
31: Community Forums
32: Home
33: Community Forums
34: Statistics
35: Community Forums
36: Community Forums
37: Home
38: Community Forums
39: Home
40: Photo Gallery
41: Community Forums
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: News
45: Home
46: Community Forums
47: Community Forums
48: CPGlang
49: Community Forums
50: Community Forums
51: Community Forums
52: Community Forums
53: Community Forums
54: Community Forums
55: Your Account
56: Community Forums
57: Community Forums
58: Photo Gallery
59: Downloads
60: Community Forums
61: Community Forums
62: Community Forums
63: Photo Gallery
64: Community Forums
65: CPGlang
66: Community Forums
67: News
68: CPGlang
69: Community Forums
70: Home
71: Home
72: Community Forums
73: Community Forums
74: Community Forums
75: Community Forums
76: Home
77: Home
78: Home
79: Photo Gallery
80: Home
81: Downloads
82: Community Forums
83: Community Forums
84: CPGlang
85: Community Forums
86: Community Forums
87: Photo Gallery
88: Community Forums
89: Community Forums
90: Community Forums
91: Home
92: Downloads
93: Home
94: Community Forums
95: CPGlang
96: Community Forums
97: Home
98: Community Forums
99: Community Forums
100: CPGlang
101: Community Forums
102: Community Forums
103: CPGlang
104: Community Forums
105: Downloads
106: Community Forums
107: Community Forums
108: Photo Gallery
109: Community Forums
110: Photo Gallery
111: Downloads
112: Community Forums
113: Member Screenshots
114: Downloads
115: Community Forums
116: Community Forums
117: Community Forums
118: Your Account
119: Community Forums
120: Community Forums
121: Community Forums
122: Home
123: Statistics
124: Community Forums
125: Community Forums
126: Home
127: Home
128: Community Forums
129: Community Forums
130: Home
131: Home
132: Community Forums
133: Home
134: Community Forums
135: Community Forums
136: News Archive
137: Home
138: Home
139: Photo Gallery
140: CPGlang
141: Member Screenshots
142: Downloads
143: Photo Gallery
144: Member Screenshots
145: Statistics
146: Community Forums
147: Community Forums
148: Member Screenshots
149: Community Forums
150: Community Forums
151: Home
152: Photo Gallery
153: Community Forums
154: Home
155: Community Forums
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Photo Gallery
159: Community Forums
160: Community Forums
161: Home
162: Photo Gallery
163: Community Forums
164: Member Screenshots
165: Community Forums
166: Community Forums
167: Community Forums
168: Home
169: Home
170: Community Forums
171: Downloads
172: Downloads
173: Community Forums
174: Community Forums
175: Community Forums
176: Home
177: Community Forums
178: Community Forums
179: Home
180: Home
181: Community Forums
182: Community Forums
183: Home
184: Community Forums
185: Community Forums
186: Statistics
187: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Museum signage ideas...
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
blackdog
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 11, 2010
Posts: 58

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:27 pm
Post subject: Museum signage ideas...

I figured this might be a good place to ask:

What do you guys like to see in museum vehicle display signage? What do you think the public likes to see in museum vehicle display signage? In your travels, has any particular signage stuck out as being exceptional (above and beyond most others)? And if so, can you post photos?

I'm trying to figure out how to do some relatively uniform looking signage for most of the vehicles on this page: www.themech.org/roster.html . We've been holding off on the signage for many years because I have found that a lot of the information published about these vehicles on the internet is incorrect, and I don't want to make signage that has any incorrect information since we're kind of an authoritative source being a USMC museum.

Thanks,

Brian
Back to top
View user's profile
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:45 pm
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

Brian,

some equipment signage used at the Overloon museum, the Netherlands

Of the the museum's visited so far, I still like these best
Perhaps not all spelling is correct, however it's understandable for most visitors

old style sign, which only gives technical data


new style sign, which also give's some additonal info


Other signage I have seen is just 1 line of text saying what it is, for example "Windsor carrier"

Or signage of 1 or 2 book pages full of info with description, history, etc in 1 language only
Most of the time something you don't understand, except the first line saying that it is an "Windsor carrier" Wink

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2067
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:32 pm
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

Can be quite frustrating,

If the TM is available, by all means use the official info to avoid embarrassment. Basic info is a must, like type, weight, weapons, crew, etc. You can always write on the bottom "Further Detailed Information Available ...." , so you can refer to either a staff member, a book/guide, website, etc. This could cut down on a sign that appears too cluttered. Staff member could have a dossier handy to answer detailed questions, ie, particular vehicle history, SN, manufacturer, former units it served with, etc, whatever info is available, much like Trevor does with his site.

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
TrevorLarkum
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Sep 16, 2007
Posts: 1596
Location: Northampton, England
PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:20 pm
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

Certainly I prefer those signs where they tell you about the particular tank itself rather than just its type. I guess you do need to say "This is a Sherman. It fought in the war. They made lots." but I'm much more interested in "This M4A3 (serial number 5678) was manufactured by Fisher at Grand Blanc, Michigan, in 1943. It served during the war with 1st Armored Division in Germany. After the war it was used for training, and was acquired by this museum in 1980. It was restored over the next 5 years and is now displayed in the markings used by 1st Armored Division in the Ardennes" or something like that. I appreciate the information available may be limited, but as a rule the collection owners know more than they ever put on their signs.

I think it's also worth bearing in mind that many people visiting a military museum (and I imagine this is even more true in the US than in Europe) will have seen the same type of tank before, in other collections they've visited, so it's worth going beyond stating the obvious.

Nice collection, BTW. I visited and photographed the Pendleton collection in the 1990s and it's on my list to write up for PreservedTanks.com. You are lucky in having a good number of unusual or unique exhibits.

_________________
Trevor

Dr Trevor Larkum
Preserved Tanks: PreservedTanks.com
Armour Archive: ArmourArchive.co.uk
EVs
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
the_shadock
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: May 27, 2006
Posts: 2865
Location: Normandy, France
PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:07 pm
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

well, I have to admit that I don't read signs.. and I tend to move them when I want to do some pictures, because they don't fit with the result I want to obtain.

Anyway, what I would like to find on signs is the history of the vehicle. As Trevor said, it is very interesting to know when and where the tank was produced, the wartime history and the fate of the tank after the war. This is the sort of information you will not find identical in each museum ,because the history of tanks is, of course, different from a museum to another.

Maybe I have the same opinion than Trevor because we both try to find the history of the vehicles in order to publish them in our books/websites..

Pierre-Olivier

_________________
soldat_ryan @ hotmail.com

Looking for photos of Sherman manufacturer's plates


Last edited by the_shadock on Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
L.Delsing
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Feb 10, 2006
Posts: 960

PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:22 pm
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

I agree with Trevor and Pierre Olivier.

Put the type on it with the basic info and then the history of that particular vehicle.

But also what Joe says, that the museum has detailed info about the vehicles. Some museums don't even know the history of their own vehicles!

Regards,
Lesley
Back to top
View user's profile
piney
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 2330
Location: Republic of Southern New Jersey
PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:16 pm
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

I think a small image is useful. not all of your visitors will be as knowledgable as our forum members so you want to be sure the complete layman won't get confused about which vehicle is which, unless you are in the happy position of having so much room for displays that there is no possibility of confusion

_________________
The only good skwerril is a dead un
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Dontos
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3436
Location: Vine Grove, KY
PostPosted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:45 pm
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

On our display 'cheese board', we tend to use vehicle line art instead of a photo.

However in the museum most of the display signs have a photo of the vehicle 'in action'. (not the actual display vehicle).

Additionally the use of flags of the primary user/production country.

But I do like Trevors 'historic blurb' idea. It helps to put a period usage on the displayed vehicle. As much specific history as possible , if known.

Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger Photo Gallery
Doug_Kibbey
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 23, 2006
Posts: 4678
Location: The Great Satan
PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:37 am
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

Of course, our members will probably concur that the best solution is a bookrack with take-home pamphlets full of obscure data concerning what series of trackpads and air cleaner types the vehicle was equipped with.

Those Overloon signs look classy...and expensive!
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website Photo Gallery
recceboy
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Feb 22, 2006
Posts: 172
Location: Edmonton,Alberta
PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 4:16 am
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

I liked Saumur's signage that featured a stand with a Panzer 4 track link as the base.

Anthony
Back to top
View user's profile
C_Sherman
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 590

PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 5:17 am
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

Over the years, one thing that has frustrated me (although there are many others!), is displaying a later version of a vehicle with info about the earlier version. For example, an M4A3E8 with text discussing the original M4 in North Africa, without mentioning that the tank you are looking at actually appeared later in the war. It's a nit, but one that drives me nuts.

I do like the idea of telling the tale of the specific vehicle. A lot of people (like my wife) don't care that much about the technical details of virtually anything. Most folks will be interested in a story, though. A story turns the vehicle from a machine into a personality, especially if there is some adversity or interesting event. Cobra King is a good example of just that.

_________________
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it
will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
-Herm Albright

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc!
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
the_shadock
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: May 27, 2006
Posts: 2865
Location: Normandy, France
PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:04 am
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

well, I think that anyway, people are more sensitive when you tell them a story (for example the story of the vehicle) rather than when you line up technical and sometimes boring data.

Another thing that may be added on such signs would be a technology that was developed on a vehicle (for example 45° armour plates on T-34) that allowed to have better protection, better armament etc.. and why it is better than what was produced before.

The last thing that seems very important to me is to have EXACT information on the signs. I remember having seen at Saumur an M3A3 Stuart, with a plate explaining it is an M5A1. Or a plate explaining that the vehicle is a T-54/55, and the tank was indeed a Type 59.

P-O

_________________
soldat_ryan @ hotmail.com

Looking for photos of Sherman manufacturer's plates
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Visit poster's website MSN Messenger
Pzkpfw-e
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jul 21, 2010
Posts: 1202

PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 7:39 am
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

I'd suggest that it's highly likely that we AFV enthusiasts' signage desires, differ quite a bit from Joe Publics'.
Having said that, Trevor's idea covers both bases pretty well.
I'd certainly expect more vehicle specific info about the likes of "Cobra King" and Bovingdon's Tiger, than a run of the mill M3 half track.
Having more information available, even if it's just a simple & inexpensive text only pamphlet or on a website, is desirable for us "anoraks".
Back to top
View user's profile
Massimo_Foti
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2008
Posts: 5397
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 8:39 am
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

Having a story is, of course, great, but most individual vehicles don't have a well-know story behind them. In that case you can build a story about the model/variant, not the specific vehicle.

Massimo
Back to top
View user's profile
JimWeb
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1439
Location: The back of beyond
PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 11:34 am
Post subject: Re: Museum signage ideas...

I had a thought about all this a while back and started to put a 'Commentary' button on the equipment pages on JED. The idea being that a sound file would be available for each equipment and more specifically for each vehicle in a museum/monument etc with a lot of audio information. It was mainly meant for iPhones & iPods through the iJED app but I suppose it could be readily adapted so the files could be downloaded to any smart-phone or player.

If anyone wants to produce a sound file about any vehicle in a museum their contribution would be gratefully received!

_________________
TTFN
Jim

If your not a member of JED then your
not serious about anything military..

***********************
www.jedsite.info
JED Military Equipment
***********************
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website ICQ Number
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum