Bruntingthorpe in Winter

Buccaneer XX900 is still a runner, but needs some maintenance and minor wiring repairs but otherwise is completely fine.

XW544 is completely intact but has two seized engines and some hydraulic components missing. All the missing parts are available to the team but she is kind of on the back burner for the moment. At very best 544 is a long term restoration project.

XX894 is coming back to life at quite a rate of knots now with virtually all systems electrical and hydraulic back in working order. She is now sporting new main wheels, tyres and brake packs, although the brakes function they still need to be fully bled. The radio and intercom is all functioning as is all the external and internal lightning.
The starboard flying control reservoir was changed two weeks ago with only the accumulator left to do. The port aileron still needs re-rigging and the main plane flaps need some adjustment as well. There are still engine/fuel issues to sort out but we cant do too much until the brakes are able to hold the aircraft properly.
With the warmer weather and lighter days ahead of us, seeing a second Buccaneer going down the runway at Bruntingthorpe wont be to far away.

Plazz

what happened to the plan to paint the comet in boac colours?

How many Buccs are there at Bruntingthorpe, I have a video of one moving 2 years ago.

I pretty sure the plans have come to nothing re the painting, they have enough on going costs to contend with.
Repainting for the sake of a colour scheme is not even on the agenda, Unless someone comes up with the big sum of money to do it, which I very much doubt, fuel costs alone for all the aircraft on site are crippling at the moment. 😮

As for the Bucc’s there are three, XW544 which is at present a static exhibit, XX900 which is owned by the Waltons,and runs regulally and XX894 which is privately owned and is on her way back to full taxing condition, maybe Plazz could enter a little update here as he is more involved in her restortation than me.

Cheers 🙂
Andy B (LPG)

Last time I was there there were three Buccs, one in FAA grey and the other two in RAF grey/green wraparound camo

comet

what happened to the plan to paint the comet in boac colours?

How many Buccs are there at Bruntingthorpe, I have a video of one moving 2 years ago.

not many of us about when it is snowing.

here we go

Thanks mate, i knew you couldn’t miss them out

i have a couple of pics i will post later…………. I need to resize them first

still one particular aircraft not covered yet Andy…………… and TT i do not mean what you think i mean……….if you know what i mean, know what i mean?

Silly me how could I forget such a lovely pair of Bruntingthorpe residents 😀 😀 😀

that’s what’s missing…………..mind you, TT would argue that point, you know him and his T-6 obsession

No Beech 18’s then?

still one particular aircraft not covered yet Andy…………… and TT i do not mean what you think i mean……….if you know what i mean, know what i mean?

What’s the latest with the Sea Vixen? Will it be making an outing onto the runway this season?

Very much doubt the Vixen will be moving very far this year, there’s no dedicated crew on it, its just gets some TLC from time to time.
We keep the tyres blown up.
It needs alot of work before taxing can be allowed safely

🙂

Good photo’s, is XW544 still going to be made runable ?

Hi, as Im not to close to the crew who look after XW544 I carnt really comment, I know their long term aim is to make it runable, but when I couldnt possibly say, they have a long, long way to go.
The Navy Bucc is much closer to ground running and taxing, although this is still some way away.
The Guys are talking to us about doing Hyd system demos on our open day in July.

Cheers

What’s the latest with the Sea Vixen? Will it be making an outing onto the runway this season?

Good photo’s, is XW544 still going to be made runable ?

Nah, the T-6 is all wrapped up in the overhang

I do hope there is a picture of a certain aircraft about to appear

go on, i know you want to

Lovely pics thanks for sharing! What is the fate of the Super Guppy as she is looking pretty rough now. Also does the comet get run up regularly?

Hi Peter, thanks, got a few more to share soon.
The Guppy is your typical ‘large aircraft in a museum’, its very large, very difficult and expensive to keep looking respectable, the costs in just cleaning it are enormous.
Just sit back for a minute and think about how you would go about cleaning it safely….. Serious stuff eh ?

How ?
Who ?
Where ?
Who pay’s ?

There is also the a lack of dedicated people to look after it

Its an interesting dilmea for many museums

Yes the Comet is run regually, couldnt tell exactly who many times a year but yes its run when time, people and fuel allow.

Cheers 🙂

Lovely pics thanks for sharing! What is the fate of the Super Guppy as she is looking pretty rough now. Also does the comet get run up regularly?