Google earth updates-proof that 3 Firefly's are still in Eritrea ?

Here are Steve T’s pics

Steve T,

A good tool for resizing images is PIXresizer,easy interface to use, good little tool for making avatars as well!, just do a google. 🙂

Ahhh, the Shacks.

Write it as “34 42 40.20 N 32 29 18.44 E”.

To be strictly correct of course ,Eastings ( or Westings) should be three figure primaries ,e.g. 032 etc. instead of 32 etc. for good reason. Also beware decimal degrees or minutes which are common in GPS (or before that INAS ) expressions. 12.50′ is not 12′ 50″
This laxity in expression has crept in from ignorance, largely imported from across the Atlantic, and causes chaos at times.

Sticking with Google Earth but mooving away from the Fireflys

Check out 34dg 42’40,20 North x 32dg 29’18,44 East (or how ever its written)

Ahhh, the Shacks.

Write it as “34 42 40.20 N 32 29 18.44 E”.

Hi all–

Found two of the old Asmara pix on a CD here and figured out how to post them (piece of cake actually)…only to find that both images are too large, filewise, to attach to a post. Oh well. PM me and I can email them to you (I forget who it was asked me to post them)…Or maybe someone has a tip for getting round the file-size limitation?

S.

The 2 ex-Swedish (?) Fireflies at Duxford don’t seem to be making much progress, if any, which rather proves the point that the cost of restoration versus residual value argument is highly relevant, otherwise one of them might be near flight status by now. I’d be pleased to hear I was wrong.

I understand that the airworthy restoration of the most complete of the two Firefly’s is in a queue behind the Blenheim and Lysander.

Sticking with Google Earth but mooving away from the Fireflys

Check out 34dg 42’40,20 North x 32dg 29’18,44 East (or how ever its written)

The 2 ex-Swedish (?) Fireflies at Duxford don’t seem to be making much progress, if any, which rather proves the point that the cost of restoration versus residual value argument is highly relevant, otherwise one of them might be near flight status by now. I’d be pleased to hear I was wrong.

Resolution down to data plate size is what we need!

When Google can see through garage roofs we’ll have to start scouring Bucks 😀

Wrt the spits and firefly’s, they will presumably become prize pickings at some future point if the rules change regarding what constitues a rebuild and a minumum amount of original has to be incorporated in the a/c in order to claim provenance.

Syria currently seem not to trust people in anoraks with note books asking if we can relieve them of their vintage scrap metal, but I assume it is simply logistics and economics wrt to the Fireflies. As the rebuild costs of a Firefly and Spit are likely to be similar, but the resale value of the Firefly will be much lower, those wishing to take on a rebuild will want to maximise their future returns.

Maybe they have scrapped a few to confuse the Spitfire spotters on Google!

Syrian Mk 14’s

If these are they, shouldn’t there be more of them?

No…my back garden. 🙂

Mark

Looks like the hosepipe ban is working. 🙂

Have I just found the Holy Grail?

No…my back garden. 🙂

Mark

Syrian Spitfires

Have I just found the Holy Grail?

Hi Flat 12×2–

Hm! I managed somehow to miss the initial breaking story about the second pair of Firefly 1s that went to SAf…genuinely thought they’d come from Asmara as well. (Did hear about their move to NZ recently though). So there could be as many as FOUR more Fireflies still “waiting”. Sometimes I really enjoy being wrong!

It’s possible I have a couple of those copies of old pix taken (supposedly!) at Asmara, scanned to CD; if so I might be able to post those, but haven’t a clue exactly how to go about it…stay tuned.

S.

There was an article on these a few months back in Air Enthusiast with a couple of photos of the ones still in Eritrea. I do not kno how old the photos were though!

Regards

Paul

You visited once a year and didn’t get your hands on a Firefly!

…………..Now the other three would make the ultimate Forum recovery project……..Flak Jackets anyone????
Seriously though if these were Spitfires I’m sure someone would have found a way to extract them by now.

Re. flak jackets, I to thought the same but have just come across these comments from the web. link.
So maybe its not so bad out there now.

“Asmara is possibly the safest African capital for travelers. It is one of the cleanest cities in Africa. The streets are elegantly lined with palms and a string of boutiques, coffee-shops and restaurants reminiscent of southern Italy.
Starting from 1999, I visited Asmara on a yearly basis, and I walked through the city almost every day. I experienced its beauty, both its tranquility and its activity, the hospitality and its friendliness of its people.”
Asmara tourist info

Keep in mind that Google Earth images aren’t actual and could be over 5 years old.
My home was built in 2003 and it’s still not on Google Earth (although for a very brief period it was, oddly enough!)… and that’s the UK, which has a much better coverage.

Yes I’m aware of the age, I don’t know about 5 years old ,but up to 3 years old seems to be the norm.
Pics of the other derelict a/c T-33,F-86,C-119 & Migs. show them still there in June ’04
Asmara pics & info