Duxfords Varsity

The term ‘Warbird’ was coined in, or possibly after W.W.I. First record use I’ve found was a book called ‘Warbirds’ about W.W.I flying, published soon afterwards.

If we take that first use it would exclude everything currently included. If you ask in the wrong sort of newsagent you are directed to the top shelf with the magazines of women in partial uniform section :rolleyes:

It has no ‘official’ meaning* – that is there’s no official body or group that states it has a precise meaning, so as a slang term you can use it, or not as you wish, and also therefore incude or exclude what you wish.

I would include a Varsity as a Warbird, being an ex-military type. The issue isn’t what it’s called but it’s fame or lack therof.

Chiz.

*Unlike, say, ‘Veteran’ and ‘Vintage’ for cars, which are defined with dates for inclusion & exclusion.

I take it from this that I’m not the only person who hates the word ‘Warbird’? Any aircraft used by the military ever is a warbird. But generally used by elitist people who think that aviation only ever existed between 1939 and 1945 and who have read one to many war stories / comics in there lives. Sorry just had to get that chip of my shoulder.

Its not a chip on your shoulder, its your opinion and I agree with it. I think you can still have those under president Blair. :diablo:

It’s an Americanism, is it not? Not sure I see the relevance of its usage to this thread though. The Duxford marketing term is “Historic Aircraft” as far as I know.

I assume that due to a lack of response from anyone in the know at Duxford,
The good old Vasity will probably be left alone to degenerate to the point of being beyond economic repair.
Still, its not a WARBIRD is it. Warbird, what a pathetic description of an historic aeroplane. I suppose in this day and age we have to dum things down.
Warbird – shove it up your arse.

Good luck “Vickers Varsity” You’re going to need it.

I take it from this that I’m not the only person who hates the word ‘Warbird’? Any aircraft used by the military ever is a warbird. But generally used by elitist people who think that aviation only ever existed between 1939 and 1945 and who have read one to many war stories / comics in there lives. Sorry just had to get that chip of my shoulder.

Off topic but for info there is also a Jet Provost mk3 here as well, XM464.
Glad the pictures was of some interest, it was quite a drive off our intended route to find it!

Mark

again off topic, Hiya Jagx, have you any pics of the Jet Prov?. there are a fave of mine y’see.
cheers.
Greg

I assume that due to a lack of response from anyone in the know at Duxford,
The good old Vasity will probably be left alone to degenerate to the point of being beyond economic repair.
Still, its not a WARBIRD is it. Warbird, what a pathetic description of an historic aeroplane. I suppose in this day and age we have to dum things down.
Warbird – shove it up your arse.

Good luck “Vickers Varsity” You’re going to need it.

Can you feel the love? Quick, someone get Avro a paper bag to breathe in and out of.

Funny how things go. I found a picture I tok ogf this a/c taxying at DX many years ago. Probably in the hands of Don Selway. When I work out how, I’ll post the photo. Just a reminder of the condition it was in a few years ago really………….

Any one else remember the drone of Varsities out of Oakington?

Well,

I assume that due to a lack of response from anyone in the know at Duxford,
The good old Vasity will probably be left alone to degenerate to the point of being beyond economic repair.
Still, its not a WARBIRD is it. Warbird, what a pathetic description of an historic aeroplane. I suppose in this day and age we have to dum things down.
Warbird – shove it up your arse.

Good luck “Vickers Varsity” You’re going to need it.

The Duxford one will probably go the same way the Comet and Convair went in time

Give it time you will be able to buy bits at Shoreham Aerojumble 🙁

I’ll get me coat !!!!!!!!

Well we know whats happening to the one in the States.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ONE AT DUXFORD

Give it time you will be able to buy bits at Shoreham Aerojumble 🙁

From what it looks like, and im 99% certain on this, when Airspace is complete the Varsity will be moved into the conservation area of Airspace along with the Victor. If not, chances are it will be moved into hangar 5 for restoration as they’re won’t be much else to ‘fix up’, all i can think of is the Vampire (you can see the wooden fuselage!) and the old lifeboat.

Well we know whats happening to the one in the States.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ONE AT DUXFORD

By all accounts its been like that for years. The whole thing is supported by the stone supports you can see under the wings etc. The wings are still sheared off but just placed back together to give the illusion of a complete aircraft. You can even go on board, all the instruments are all still in place and therese some blurp about the incident which ‘grounded’ it.

Off topic but for info there is also a Jet Provost mk3 here as well, XM464.
Glad the pictures was of some interest, it was quite a drive off our intended route to find it!

Mark

looks like they’ve done a fair job so far. Greg

They’ve sewn it together well – can hardly see the join!
Roger Smith.

Hiya Mark, thanks for sharing those pics with us, thought forsure this one would have been a scrapper. am somewhat suprised at its condition now, looks like they’ve done a fair job so far.

Greg

Appears my photos never made it through ‘tinternet’ so here’s another go….

I was told it had engine problems and had to make an emergency landing.

Varsity at El Paso West Texas

It maybe a bit bent but its still there ! here’s a few pictures of it I took March this year.

Apparently the runway was only 2 ft wider than the track of the plane……..oops.

Mark

Sadly now closed 🙁 Grand plan is to turn it into a hotel, but this seems to be a plan not going very far at the moment. I know what you mean about the Mess though having had both my 21st birthday do there and got married there 🙂 Moggy agrees with me too, don’t you Mogster? 😉

Noooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

What a disaster! That was the highlight of my academic year! Mind you, a hotel in its place would be good – staying over at an airshow…nah, I’d never get that one past the boss.

DS 🙁