Stirling EF494 and LK488 (plus BAe 146 Prototype)

No ,I think you`re right Bruce,probably wouldn`t happen today( with the RAFM anyway),does annoy me though.Maybe the bits are still in the scrapyard? .I know of a container of JU88 bits still in a scrapyard where the owner very proudly keeps them,and that was dug in the 80`s.

I dont think it would happen today, so dont lets judge them on the actions of the past.

Bruce

Items in storage on behalf of the RAFM were not always secure from disposal at the whim of those who had control of the storage space.
The efforts of Flt LT Leach in organising and leading at least 8 recoveries during the sixties and seventies were sometimes wasted when items were treated as untidy junk fit only for scrap by those who had little interest in historic aircraft .

And the fact that the RAFM scrapped some of these remains doesn’t count then?
🙁
Cees

Here here Cees at least `souvenier hunters` would regard even the tiniest scrap with reverence and treasure it. I can`t understand the `well if we don`t need it no one else should have it` mentality, and to send it to a smelters….. is outrageous.

I’m with you 100% on that one hindenburg.

the Stirling bits in the beds scrapyard were from the Mickle Fell example.

What !!! what`s the point in recovering stuff to scrap it? should at least offer them to museums.If it`s a question of `usefulness` why not leave this stuff in situ?

And the fact that the RAFM scrapped some of these remains doesn’t count then?
🙁
Cees

Oh it does, but better than, say, the Boston recovered from Wales

Less tragic than leaving it on the hill to be picked away by souvenier hunters and opportunists

And the fact that the RAFM scrapped some of these remains doesn’t count then?
🙁
Cees

Bloody tragic, the way RAFM leave that piled there doing nothing. 🙁

Less tragic than leaving it on the hill to be picked away by souvenier hunters and opportunists

A friend of mine was working on G-SSSH (G-LUXE)on the line at Woodford alongside a RJX which was being scrapped with hardly any hours on it.

Here are some photos of the BAe 146 prototype in current guise as the BAe 146-301ARA (Atmospheric Research Aircraft):
http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=G-LUXE&distinct_entry=true

It replaced Snoopy the funny looking C-130 which is at Cambridge doing test for the A400 I belive.

James

Stirling tail sections

Oh that just screams out RESTORE ME!!
I am with Cees on that one! Imagine how impressive that would look restored complete with a tail turrett and the twin tailwheels!?I:eek: Try explaining it to “little Johnny” son that is a stirling, you mean like the City or the silverware at nana’s!

Hi Cees,

We tried to get hold of the tail section,(it was even stored in our hangar before RAFM moved to Cosford), I thought that it would be a good thing to cut our teeth on and a good exhibit to boot. However, it wasn’t to be:(

John

Hi John,

Yes, I know, Giuseppe told me that at the time.
Strange why national museums like the RAFM do not take that opportunity. What’s the use of leaving it in storage, where it has been for decades and we all know nothing will be done to it for the next decades.
A project of this scale can’t be sucessfully carried out by a small group within a reasonable time-scale.

Cooperation will be necessary between various group or organisations around the country to have a realistic chance of finishing such an airframe.
This is not to criticise the RAF Museum, but decisions need to be made one way or another. National Lottery anyone?
Any ideas?
Cheers

Cees

Bloody tragic, the way RAFM leave that piled there doing nothing. 🙁

Hi Cees,

We tried to get hold of the tail section,(it was even stored in our hangar before RAFM moved to Cosford), I thought that it would be a good thing to cut our teeth on and a good exhibit to boot. However, it wasn’t to be:(

John

😀 🙂 John,

I meant the tailsection only, not the whole Stirling.
Surely the tail could fit into your workshop coudn’t it?
Think about it, nudge nudge wink wink:rolleyes: 😉
Cheers

Cees

Great pics Mark,

Hello Hendon, how about restoring the tailsection to complete condition for display in the Bomber Command Hall next to the Halifax and Lancaster.
That way the size of the Stirling can be seen in the flesh for the first time since the last one was scrapped.
Would be a nice follow up project for the Medway guys
Please please please?

Cees

The Delft university option has been explored in the past and is sue to be revisited again soon. I believe that the column they have as been partially sectioned, so it will only be useful to reverse engineer new parts and it should remain an exhibit in its own right. We do however, have most of the detail and GA drawings for the control column assembly.

John

Some very large ‘chunks’ of Stirling.

Mark

Thanks for the update John,

It’s great to see that progress is being made. Keep it up. Has Giuseppe visited the Technical University at Delft to see the Stirling conctrol column and rudder pedals there? If so are they interested to let it go for the good cause?

Cheers

Cees