Comet at Lyneham no longer doomed….!

It has been suggested to me in the past that the condition of an aircraft was exaggerated, which justified its scrapping.

I think the common consensus is that the change in management at the RAF Museum will be a deciding factor on this matter, not to mention the kind-hearted nature of those who are in the driving seat.

The RAF Museum do want her, but only time will tell – give it six months!

OK it was just a thought.

It has been suggested to me in the past that the condition of an aircraft was exaggerated, which justified its scrapping.

I was a gliding instructor with No 616 ATC Gliding School at RAF Henlow in the 80’s. I remember the team from Lyneham took 2 weeks to dismantle the Comet. The wing bolts gave considerable trouble and special tools had to be used . the corrosion on the wing undersides was very bad. The cockpit was intact with all instruments and seats(the huge rear facing armchair type). The aircraft had arrived 14.6.1967 the port wing had been cut off outboard of the engines and the aircraft parked in the T2 hangar near to Henlow village(since demolished). The crew chief kindly gave me a copy laying on the flight engineers desk of the loading and trim sheet which I still have.
After a long period of gate use at Lyneham the state of the metallurgy must be in doubt as to the future safety of the aircraft remaining on its undercarriage.

Thanks Bruce that explains it.

Did the RAF Museums report exaggerate the condition of the aircraft, to justify the fact they didn’t want it?

The RAF Museum do want her, but only time will tell – give it six months!

Let’s hope that the funds can be found to move her to a place of safety before the end of the financial year – perhaps to RAF Shawbury to be stored long-term, until space can be found at Cosford. If she is to be moved then she will be cut into pieces first. My understanding is that no one is allowed inside or underneath her.

There is no link – it is an internal document which was passed to myself and Howard for information. It is not in the public domain.

It was very matter of fact – simply put, de Havilland were very adept at the use of high strength alloy, which is fantastically light, and supremely fit for purpose – when in operation. When not maintained, it corrodes like a b’stard…. I cant comment further on the report, as it is not my place to disseminate the paperwork of other organisations!

My understanding is that wheels are moving with regard to the Comet. Patience may be required to see what the eventual outcome will be.

Bruce

Does anyone have a link to this report?

Did the RAF Museums report exaggerate the condition of the aircraft, to justify the fact they didn’t want it?

As has been posted elsewhere, NAM’s ‘Nimrod allocated funds’ have now been reallocated to other worthy projects!

Also for the sake of clarity ‘the report’ being mentioned was produced by the RAFM following a survey they carried out in November 2008 – having read it and helped consider the implications for a volunteer based group like NAM I personally didn’t even want to request an inspection visit.

I havent see the report but my last visit to Lyneham August 2010 I did a close walk around Saggy and felt she is in pretty good shape the RAF did a good job on the exterior (I have 30 + years in aviation engineering RAF, BA, Monarch, BAe and Marshalls) interior wise is a different matter with mould and mildew, a steam clean and replace the floor beams with marine ply and you will have a good workable base to start but again not as bad as the comet at Cosford (if you look close at that aircraft it IMHO is in worse shape than SAGGY)
the other factor is this is still an operation base and currently have a specialist team on site carefully taking the old C130K’s to bits. I read NAM had set aside some monies to purchase the Nimrod
I can’t help feeling some one is missing a trick here, a museum if it plays it right they could get a bargain basement Comet and the money saved could go to help restore her ??
1. you have the RAF engineering personell who could dismantle saggy (They leave May)
2. The specialist team currently moving hercs might be willing to help move saggy for a nominal fee (don’t know till you ask as they say ??)(Again they leave soon)

even after the aircraft reaches the ‘Museum’ while it is in bits a proper assessment could be made I am sure if saggy can make the journey she can be restored. The feedback I am getting so far is “We have looked at the report, we have not physically seen the aircraft so based on that we are not interested”

Mike

If the aircraft is to be saved, it must be done by someone who has access to considerable funds and engineering facilities.

Its not beyond salvation, but this is a big, big project. I cant think of any volunteer based museum who could take it on.

In the short term, if it could be dismantled and stored somewhere, undercover, such that a restoration might be able to take place in the future, that would appear to be the best option.

Bruce

Having read the ‘report’ my personal opinion is that it’s a ‘money pit’ that is now perhaps beyond saving – but I wish anyone well who tries!

OK so after the museums have taken their ”sensible considered decision” what do YOU suggest we do to save SAGGY?

With all due respect if you read all the treads on this airframe “walked away!” is not a true reflection on the ‘reality’ of the situation – whereas ‘sensible considered decision’ might be! 🙁

2011 Update

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1685791#post1685791

The orginal report in 2009 is pretty bad 2 museums have walked away !

Saggy needs our Help !
Regards
Mike

I thought we could all enjoy some pictures these truly beautiful aircraft.

So firstly here’s a C2 XK697 ‘Cygnus’ taxing out at Changi on August 5th 1962.

To see quite a few more use this link:

http://www.davidtaylorsound.co.uk/Web%20Gallery/RAF%20Comets%20at%20Changi%20(and%20Paya%20Lebar)%20mid-1961%20to%20early%201964/

David Taylor.

Well I’ll be…might be that image! Can’t you just rub out the bomb bays!:D
But I’m sure I’ve seen two Comets in strike markings etc.

Thought it strange, you always used to bang on about that Comet 3!
I don’t know why, but somehow I thought you had drawn the Comet, thinking of 2 C.2s together in pencil, must have been someone else:confused:

Well, they’re related!

Thought it strange, you always used to bang on about that Comet 3!
I don’t know why, but somehow I thought you had drawn the Comet, thinking of 2 C.2s together in pencil, must have been someone else:confused: