F15

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Sadsack…you don’t have to remind me that the OFMC lost Mark Hanna…his loss is still very much felt here at Duxford…

And as for TFC? Well we still miss Hoof Proudfoot and Guy Bancroft Wilson too…

I have absolutely no wish to get into an argument with anyone over this…but when I wave an aircraft out of Duxford one day for it to crash a couple of days later…well it’s going to be a very emotive subject for me

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Okay. No offence meant, just wasn’t sure where the conversation was going.

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Pardon?

I’ve lost you here, i’m pointing out the Old flying machine company must have a pretty bleak sense of humour, as it was only a few weeks after that disastrous weekend last year.

RE: F15 … and B-24??

I’m not entirely sure where you’re going with this Sadsack, but I suggest you avoid getting into a debate about whether certain organisations take flight safety more seriously than others. Definately NOT a good topic to get into.

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Yeah course they will be twitchy, but TFC are not the ones who lost Mark Hanna…

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Snoopy,

Forget about a lifetime’s beer, you couldn’t afford it the way I drink (Yea, right!)

However if you do get over here a pint or two at the Red Lion at Whittlesford sounds great.

Moggy

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Well I’m not surprised that the Fighter Collection are twitchy are you?

And as for the OFMC…well they pride themselves on flying excellent and SAFE displays that don’t push the limits of the aircraft…

RE: F15 … and B-24??

its mentioned that the Fighter collection are touchy about the p38, but last time I was at Duxford the OFMC chaps were cracking jokes about crashing!

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Snoopy…sounds good to me 😉

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Thanks, Moggy. I will definitely try and make it out to Duxford to see this one, the next time I’m in the UK. I’ll buy you and Ashley a lifetime of drinks, if you can influence the IWM to make mention of the Indian Air Force’s Lib operations, somewhere in their display!

See you in the bar,

Snoopy

RE: F15 … and B-24??

I’m getting better at this

Moggy

Attachments:

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Found on a US site

EB-24M 44-51228 LACKLAND AFB (TX) “The Blasted Event”

Spot on Snoopy!

Moggy

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Moggy, Ashley, Steve, ah, officers and gentlemen all:

Many many thanks for the info on the B-24 destined for the AAM. I am absolutely delighted to know that it will be an *addition* to the B-24s on display in the UK!

(Among other things, I’m sure you’ll understand, I was a bit concerned that if the Cosford example was to move anywhere else, the small plate currently on her nose, commemorating the Indian Air Force connection, would be painted over … )

If my memory isn’t failing me — something that, alas, happens increasingly often these days — the Lackland AFB example was used as an ice research aircraft, before it went on display at Lackland … “The Blasted Event”, or some such name?

Thanks again to all,

Snoopy

RE: F15 … and B-24??

The most likely candidate to ‘fly’ suspended on wires is the Dakota and I wouldn’t be surprised if the P-47 also joins it. Whether we can call this ‘preservation’ is dubious. Take a look at the T-33 and the F-100 at the rigs required for them to be suspended and you seriously start to wonder what good it does to the airframe to cut holes in it
so that is safe to ‘hang’ !
Regards the P-38 – the crash at Duxford although sad is only a tiny aspect of the history of the Lightning in both military and civil usage. The AAM seeks to commemorate the men and machines of the U.S.A.A.F and indeed U.S.N in Europe and the P-38 is a part of this.
It wouldn’t bother me one bit if a Lightning was displayed in the museum as long as everyone was perfectly clear that it’s not the same machine restored. After all Historic Flying are to rebuild a Spitfire
T.IX which was a fatal accident and no doubt that will be displayed over Duxford so it’s very much a matter of what your sentiments are.

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Snoopy, adding to Moggy’s comment, the B24 came from Lackland AFB, and was indeed exchanged for a Spifire. I think it was a Mk Vb, serial MA983, but I could be wrong on that. Take a look at the following link:

http://www.duxford.org/exhibits/67/

for a bit more information and pictures of the B24 undergoing restoration in Hangar 5. I guess the shots are about a year old by now.

I’m not sure whether another P38 would be welcome at Duxford. I spoke to one of the TFC volunteers about a year after the late Hoof Proudfoot died displaying their P38, and was told that they didn’t want to see another P38 there as the memories were still too painful.

Going back to the B24, apparently she has been replaced at Lackland by a full scale fibreglass model, which immediately makes me think of the endless possibilities that open up; if a B24 FSM is possible, what other large aircraft could be brought back from the dead, albeit in replica form…?

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Ashley.
You said to ask so I have a big question for you and wondered if you had the answer.??

Years ago you guys completed the restoration of Lancaster KB889 ti imaculate static condition. She does look very good indeed compared to when you first got her. What I was wondering is why did you not complete her to ground running condition? I have first hand lanc restoration experience so I know the cost and problems involved with a restoration to airworthy trim is prohibitive??
Look ofrward to your answer.
Peter

RE: F15 … and B-24??

Snoopy…well Moggy has answered your question for you 🙂 As far as asking me questions about Duxford, I will do my best to answer any question put to me about Duxford, but sometimes I cannot give the information I would like to give because I am an employee of the IWM…I try to be as factually correct about Duxford as I can using my many sources here at Duxford, but when I express an opinion about Duxford on this forum it should be regarded as my opinion, not the official IWM line! 🙂

But any questions folks, I’ll be glad to try and answer if I can 🙂

RE: F15 … and B-24??

No it isn’t the Cosford one.

I was at Duxford two or three weeks back and saw the new example undergoing the most superb restoration work in one of the hangars.

If I recall the boards correctly, this was an example shipped to the UK last year as part of a swop for, I think, a Spitfire.

Whatever, It’s looking really good and will add tremendously to the theme of the American Museum.

Now, if they could only get a P38….

Moggy

RE: F15 … and B-24??

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-02-02 AT 03:07 PM (GMT)]>
> …
>
>This spring, for the first (and only I suspect!) time, the
>museum will be going through this process to add the B-24
>and the Blackbird …
>

Ashley, I know you said don’t ask; and this may well be a question that all of you who live in the UK already know the answer to; but can I ask one, please, please, pretty please?

A B-24 being added to the AAM?? Hooray!! Question, Is it the former Indian Air Force example currently on display in Cosford? I’d be really interested in the answer, so if anyone knows …

Regards,

Snoopy

RE: F15

Well first of all…I believe the F-15 is not going to go on display inside the AAM…well at least that’s the last I heard on the Duxford grapevine! If I can find out some more, I’ll let you know 🙂

As for moving aircraft into the AAM…well that involves removing all the glass windows bit by bit and storing them on the grass by the side of the museum…then rearranging the aircraft already inside the AAM, and then rolling in the new additions…the whole process is expected to take about 10 weeks or so, as it’s such a lengthy procedure…

This spring, for the first (and only I suspect!) time, the museum will be going through this process to add the B-24 and the Blackbird…needless to say due to space restrictions this means that a couple of the current inhabitants will be “taking to the skies” inside the AAM…I do not know which and I am not prepared to discuss possibilities so please do not ask…:)