I’ve just spent a weekend of visiting various aviation heritage locations around the North West of England. The first was the Avro Heritage collection at the old Woodford factory site.
The collection covers the history of the Avro company through artifacts and models many of which are the company display models covering both built and proposed aircraft. The current site is to go under the wrecking ball next year but a new location has been identified on the airfield – the fire station. At present all it has in it is a Vulcan cockpit but stood nearby is the sad sight that is 603. The Heritage guys were at pains to point out that 603 does not belong to them -yet.
Anyway here is a selection of photos showing both the collection and 603.
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By: Arabella-Cox - 1st April 2017 at 07:57
I think the RJX at the AVP is already theirs, they just lack the ability or the means to be able to transport it to Woodford.
Anon.
By: Mostlyharmless - 31st March 2017 at 23:03
It really is a fantastic place now and well worth a visit. They had a classic car show last year too which was a nice mix of interests.
It would be great if they could get hold of the RJX at Manchester that so sorely needs looking after.
By: Arabella-Cox - 31st March 2017 at 21:26
They “company” were probably looking for justification to scrap it, smirky. Thankfully, the devotion and perseverance of the large volunteer and staff contingent saw to it that, in the end, 603 was saved and restored. All praise!
Anon.
By: RedRedWine - 31st March 2017 at 21:07
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Looks good to me
By: smirky - 31st March 2017 at 20:51
Am I misremembering that the spin coming from the Company several years ago was that the aircraft was in such a precarious and dangerous state that volunteers could no-longer be allowed access to maintain it?
By: RedRedWine - 31st March 2017 at 19:58
I hope it isn’t bad etiquette to praise the Heritage Centre on this forum? I visited today and found it a fascinating place, full of stories, fascinating exhibits, XM603 which looks stunning after being brought back from the brink, and XM602’s cockpit which is a magical (if scary) place to sit. G-AGPG is lovely too, another back from the brink, or in her case, beyond it. The team running it are without exception knowledgable and welcoming. I don’t know how the conversion from fire station to museum was done, it seems like a new building. Thank you Avro heritage team.
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st October 2013 at 21:57
Mike
I agree that the chaps at Woodford have put a wonderfull collection together and that the Fire Station will give them the space to gather together some large pieces of Avro produce. In a few years it could be an exciting place and a fine resting place for your Anson cockpit.
Speke was also on the visit list and a selection of photos will be appearing here soon.
By: Peter - 21st October 2013 at 21:32
Poor old 603.. she is going to need alot of funding and tlc….
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st October 2013 at 20:37
A nice selection of pictures, aeronut. It’s the first time I have seen the inside of the fire station.
The chaps at Woodford are an active and devoted lot and the present Roe Heritage Centre is a fine tribute to their efforts over the years.
We’re hoping to “retire” Aggie Paggie’s (Anson C.19, G-AGPG) cockpit there when it is fully restored and we have done a few shows with her. We’re confident she will be in the right place and in the right hands and will look superb alongside the Vulcan and the other exhibits.
The tail fin/rudder from HS748, G-ORAL (presently with the Speke Aviation Heritage Group in Liverpool) will, hopefully, be finding its way over to the Roe heritage centre too, when they are ready for it.
Anon.
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October 21, 2013 at 12:08 am