I went to the Science museum open day at Wroughton yesterday. Still the Trident 3, Comet and Bedford Gnat in one hangar and the Constellation, Devon, DC3, Boeing 247, Piaggio 166 and others in the other hangar.
I think the Trident is probably one of the best surviving examples around having been kept in a heated hangar since arriving by air in February 1986. The Comet 1 nose G-ANAV that was originally at South Kensington is now displayed alongside the Dan Air Comet 4.
Pictures available at http://www.planepictures.net
Search Ian Haskell in the Keywords box.
By: British Canuck - 5th March 2004 at 19:08
That Boeing 247 is a bit of a rare creature..one of only four left in the world I think…
Shame about the DC-3 paint scheme…but at least it is preserved!:)
By: ALBERT ROSS - 5th March 2004 at 18:29
Originally posted by Shorty01
Comparison of the Boeing 247 and it’s spiritual successor the DC-3. Placard says it’s the third oldest surviving DC-3 in the world. Though I don’t know how old the info is.
It’s absolutely right!;) Flew with United Airlines, but the Museum won’t put it back in United’s colours, despite all the volunteers willing to do it!:(
By: ALBERT ROSS - 5th March 2004 at 18:27
Originally posted by Shorty01
DH Dragon in process of restoration.
The Dragon was restored several years ago like this and they have no intention of putting the engines back on it properly!:mad: So, it is not ‘under restoration’, or perhaps ‘permanently under restoration’. Apparently they left them like that to show the construction!!
By: Shorty01 - 4th March 2004 at 23:18
Sorry no pic of the 916. It was looking too sorry for itself with a flat front tyre.
By: ageorge - 4th March 2004 at 21:02
I was just about to ask if you had any photos of the 916 too ?? , basically a standard 916 with some trick bits , a paddock stand and a cover which they charged a fortune for as it was supposedly a Limited Edition – until they released the Second Edition. I hammered the guts out of a Series 1 until the fancy carbonfibre airbox started breaking up and it started sounding like an athsmatic Transit – Ducati Warranty ?? , not worth the paper it is written on – wrapped it up in silver duct tape and sold it . Sorry – Rant Over !!!!
By: Chipmunk Carol - 4th March 2004 at 20:07
Lovely pics, Shorty. Thanks for posting them.
Any idea what the correct pronunciation of Gugnunc is?
Do you have a pic of the Ducati 916?
By: Shorty01 - 4th March 2004 at 19:33
and another.
By: Shorty01 - 4th March 2004 at 19:32
Handley Page Gugnunc
By: Shorty01 - 4th March 2004 at 19:31
DH Dragon in process of restoration.
By: Shorty01 - 4th March 2004 at 19:29
It does seem strange that they have all the bikes crowded together under the 247 and hangliders etc stuffed in around the Connie when there is space to seperate the different modes of transport. Having been to a fair few old airfields, I have to say that Wroughton did appear very well maintained.
Here’s a few more pics anyway.
By: British Canuck - 4th March 2004 at 14:39
Very nice pictures..looks like a fair amount of hangar space also..maybe abit of room left for a few more treasures…
By: Buddy Boy - 4th March 2004 at 13:50
Got to agree with previous comments re. accessibility at Wroughton. Shame to see such a nice collection as that not regularly open to the public.
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:32
D.H. Dove
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:29
Comet. Couldn’t get a direct head on shot due to an old Bulldozer being in the way.
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:20
Close up of then 247’s office.
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:17
Interesting. A Jumo 211 in it’s original crate.
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:15
This is the twin/coupled engine from a HE177. I haven’t quite managed to capture the bulk of this beast. I’m not sure if the No Smoking sign was a deliberate comment on the HE177’s nickname of the “Flying Ronson” due to it’s alarming ability to catch fire with undue regularity.
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:10
The engine collection was noteworthy. If you wondered what an “H” configuration engine looks like here is a Napier Rapier (predecessor to the Typhoon Sabre ?). Unfortunately it was on the top shelf.
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:06
General hanger view. It was nice to have an uncrowded enviroment to faff with the camera in.
The aircraft appear very well looked after. Some of thw Motor vehicles did need their tyres pumped up. Notable was the Ducati 916 Ayrton Senna special edition under the 247 which shouldn’t be in a museum in the first place, but in the outside world being given a regular beasting.
By: Shorty01 - 3rd March 2004 at 23:02
Comparison of the Boeing 247 and it’s spiritual successor the DC-3. Placard says it’s the third oldest surviving DC-3 in the world. Though I don’t know how old the info is.
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February 20, 2004 at 10:27 am