Sun sets on XL391?

I remember it arriving i was only about 7 at the time , you could hear this amazing noise so we all trooped out of the house and there she was low over Blackpool awesome, now shes not so much awesome as awefull. I dont think there are any real plans to scrap her ,just to leave her there for ever!

shame, judjing by the fact that it looks complete,I bet it was in nice condition when it arrived, its particularly tragic when oraganisations (big and small) get a nice example and it then rots beyond redemption.

mjr

Pretty much lots of corrosion and parts falling off of it. There was an older thread with more detailed pics of her but some reason the pics wont display……

considering 391 obviously gets little attention, it doesnt look like its too late, though I havent seen it close up! Is it a total basket case?

MJR

“BOAE is under cover at Grantley Adams in Barbados-temporary structure until a hangar is built for it, so perhaps it stands more of a chance that the one on the barge.”

Quite true,I was very happy to hear of the efforts being undertaken to get ‘AE undercover.I’ve heard that the long term plan is to put her in a purpose built air-conditioned building,which if true is absolutely fantastic news.
However,I stick by what i said about ‘AD in New York-she won’t last long out there without regular maintenance and perhaps even transporting her back to JFK for refurbishment every once in a while.As a progression of that,perhaps she could eventually be permenantly displayed at JFK?? It seems like the only sensible long-term solution.

Does anyone have any updated pics of her or can anyone get down there to take some??

As time goes on and the more pictures we see of ‘391 I increasingly wish they’d just go ahead and scrap her and put her and us out of our misery.
As for the Intrepid/Concorde thing,it doesn’t really matter how much cash they have to throw about.The environment in that location is such that she simply won’t survive no matter how much tlc she’s given.Ten or perhaps 20 years maximum,then it’ll be time to scrap her,and the Barbados one even sooner than that I’d have thought.

BOAE is under cover at Grantley Adams in Barbados-temporary structure until a hangar is built for it, so perhaps it stands more of a chance that the one on the barge.

I went to see her a few weeks ago and they have riveted the crew door shut (only took them fifteen years!).

The fence has come down around her and on the floor I found a badly smashed instrument (directional indicator) and the RAT hatch cover.

The RAT has now been removed also.

Shame.

Paul.

I doubt even the cockpit would be much good. I remember going into the cockpit back in 1998 and it was in hell of a state with lots missing and I doubt if it has improved since then? A sad sight.

“BUMP”
Just so newbies to the forum can see by these dated pics the horrible shape 391 is in and that any plans to restore here are worth a good laugh!

This site has come back again was offline for a few months but dont send any cash it looks like a con and the top pic was nicked from the Xm655 pages and the bottom one from T+L

http://members.aol.com/DPlatt007/

XL391

Concorde to intrepid.. Bloody silly idea…

Anyways getting back on topic. I had mentioned on flypast forum ages ago that surely some part or parts of her engines would still be useable as they are still intact and have their cowlings buttoned up??

As time goes on and the more pictures we see of ‘391 I increasingly wish they’d just go ahead and scrap her and put her and us out of our misery.
As for the Intrepid/Concorde thing,it doesn’t really matter how much cash they have to throw about.The environment in that location is such that she simply won’t survive no matter how much tlc she’s given.Ten or perhaps 20 years maximum,then it’ll be time to scrap her,and the Barbados one even sooner than that I’d have thought.

Originally posted by Morley
Concord on a barge in the Hudson River?? I presume you mean the USS Intrepid! This shouldn’t be such a problem as she will be looked after better (not short of a bob or 2)

Have you been to the Intrepid? Some of their aircraft were not looking too pretty when I was there about 3 years ago. Also, I wasn’t referring to the Intrepid as a barge but have read that Concorde will be on a barge or pier alongside the carrier.

XL391

Wow she looks bad when compared to the pics of her in Vulcan Last of the V Bombers..

Concord on a barge in the Hudson River?? I presume you mean the USS Intrepid! This shouldn’t be such a problem as she will be looked after better (not short of a bob or 2) The best option is of course a hanger but with large aircraft this is not always possible. One would hope in the long term all museum aeroplanes will receive hangers (Otherwise they might as well be scrapped)

Originally posted by andrewman
If their was ever an example of how not stop preserve a plane this is it.

How about Concorde on a barge in the Hudson river??

What a shame just hope that when it goes the cockpit gets saved and some parts can help other Vulcan’s.

If their was ever an example of how not stop preserve a plane this is it.

if she stays there much longer….

Her anti flash white paint work will show through before the whole lot crumbles away to dust!

Very evocative shots Kev. Like Peter, I also thought you were referring to her demise. Not that it can be long in coming, judging by her ever-deteriorating condition. Time (and the sea air) have not been kind to the old girl. 🙁