PROtection and Conservation of Heritage AirCRAFT - PROCRAFT

The Second World War (WWII) is often considered the golden age of military aviation, but this air war has left a large number of remains in the European soil and in the sea: this massive commitment has caused considerable human and material losses. Even if WWII aircraft heritage has an undeniable historical and emotional value for Europeans, only recently these remains have officially entered the field of archaeology and cultural heritage conservation. Their presence in national museums is limited. They are often cared by numerous volunteers and associations. However, the discovery of an airplane wreck is challenging from several points of view: - its composition and materials, - its history, - its legal statutes, - its size and condition. PROCRAFT will face these challenges by connecting the multiple actors of the operational chain from recovery to exhibition. Scientists and associated partners (museums, associations, conservators, State representatives, mediators), from Italy, Czech Republic and France representing all the actors in this heritage chain, will pool and benefit from their joint expertise and capabilities. Our purpose is to create innovative procedures and solutions for each key step in aircraft conservation: - tailored techniques of conservation-restoration, - smart coatings for outdoor protection respecting the requirements of cultural heritage safeguard, - innovative solutions for preventive conservation in confined or semi-confined environments, - guidelines for Al alloys restoration and conservation for non-professional actors. The results of this project will: - enhance and share knowledge about conservation of WWII aircraft, focusing particularly on the conservation of aluminium (Al) alloy components, - contribute to its preservation, - promote its dissemination and presentation to the public.