October 18, 2006 at 8:50 am
An interesting photo showing a Concorde, Falcon Jet, Hansa Jet and ‘G-WHIZ’ and many questions to be asked…..
Where was the photo taken?
What was the purpose and fate of ‘G-WHIZ’?
What happened to the original G-WHIZ, Pitts S-1, s/n 3534 dereg. 3/97?
Any Hansa jets still flying?
By: Thunderbird167 - 18th October 2006 at 17:07
Pitts S.1 G-WHIZ
The aircraft is currently advetised for sale at 75,000 Australian Dollars on http://www.flyinguk.co.uk/aircraftforsale_79625.html
Details are as follows:-
Construction of this aircraft started in the UK in 1970 where it was built under the supervision of the CAA’s Hatfield office.
It was cleared for cover, the fabric was in place and the paintwork was well under way before it was shipped to Australia in 1980. It was accompanied by letters from the UK CAA and from the late Harold Best-Devereaux to the Australian authorities recommending that it be granted a C of A.
Work on this aircraft ceased shortly after the aircraft was brought to Australia and it was placed into storage until last year when it was completed to a point where it could be offered for sale.
By: Thunderbird167 - 18th October 2006 at 16:46
G-WHIZ
Ordnance survey’s own fantasy car reflects the dynamic approach of Britain’s National Mapping Agency.
ENGINE: JAGUAR V12 5,343cc 295 BHP
PERFORMANCE: MAX SPEED-150MPH, 0 to 60 MPH 7.9 sec
LENGTH: 6.5 METRES FUEL CONSUMPTION 11MPG
From www.concordesst.com concorde memorabilia
This was a postcard produced by ordnance survey.
By: Newforest - 18th October 2006 at 16:01
Wahey! – memory not completely gawn – cheers Rob
TT
Memory may be good, but the eyesight must be failing, we are talking about G-WHIZ! 😀 Thanks for the answers but why would an Ordnance Survey publicity project be in France?
By: Archer - 18th October 2006 at 13:44
From the background of that photo I would say that it was taken at Le Bourget, Paris. F-WTSS is the first Concorde prototype, now in the Musee de l’air at Le Bourget and if my memory is correct they also have a Hansa Jet and Dassault Falcon there. When I visited the Concorde was inside a relatively new building so you can get a rough ‘no later than’ date from the moment they moved her inside.
Edit: my memory wasn’t failing, on the attached still from Google Earth you can see both the Hansa Jet and the Dassault with the distinctive red engine nacelles. The Concorde prototype is inside the building at the center of the image.
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 18th October 2006 at 09:45
Wahey! – memory not completely gawn – cheers Rob
TT
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 18th October 2006 at 09:33
from the dim and distant past I seem to remember that G-WIZZ was a black Jet Ranger (I’m not a spotter and dont normally remember registrations!) I havent G-INFO’d it – anyway I know its slightly different but its still my favourite reg – I guess thats why it stuck in my mind!
TT
By: Arm Waver - 18th October 2006 at 09:13
I think the photo was taken in France as it appears to be a French Concorde.
G-WHIZ was also worn on a out of use Viscount in Wales too (unofficially of course)…
Some of the ex-Luftwaffe Hansas are flying in the USA I believe following de-mob.
As for the Pitts – I really don’t know sorry.