Failsworth yard Manchester(old thread 2005)

Hello David
I have an old b/w photo of VZ682 Sea Hornet NF21 fuselage taken at Bramcote on 20.10.57

Some of those cockpits even though they were on a scrap heap at the time still look better than my Vampire currently!

Ah, but one day your cockpit will look better than anything in that scrapyard!;)

That’s what I’m saying, it’s from a Neptune.

Yes, I agree.

The only Hornet remains shown in the earlier photo’s are the wing from PR.22 VZ66? circa 1980!
The wheel and undercarriage bay is not from a Hornet.

That’s what I’m saying, it’s from a Neptune.

More photos in this thread http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36444&highlight=scrapyard

Some of those cockpits even though they were on a scrap heap at the time still look better than my Vampire currently!

Jon

Hi Pagen01

The only Hornet remains shown in the earlier photo’s are the wing from PR.22 VZ66? circa 1980!

The wheel and undercarriage bay is not from a Hornet.

Fantastic thread and pics, briefly read through and it looks like these pics are unresolved (apolgies if they have been)

These first two are the most likely for Hornet parts. Anything you recognise?

Yes RAF Neptune engine nacelle and undercarriage

I am not sure about this.This front section was rumoured to be part of an ex R.A.F. Neptune M.R.1.Anyone know any better?

It is an RAF Neptune MR.1 nose section

On my trip I did not pick up on the outer wing section being Hornet family but I certainly saw composite aluminium/wood construction. The part I saw, I think, is the piece top left of the wheel bay fairing.
What say the DH gurus?
Mark

One for the Lockheed gurus aswel, its that Neptune nacelle again!

I know this is an old post but did he have any at the back of the yard? i guess not you never came back wishfull thinking i think.

My first post. I had to sign up.
Thanks to all for posting the scrapyard memories.
Its heartbreaking to see all those airframes being mashed up. All gone now.

I loved all the scrapyard trecking of former years, i think its the thrill of hidden treasure. almost as amazing as seeing the colour pictures of the allies overrunning the abandoned Axis aircrafts at the end of the war (especially that shot of that huge dump filled with Fw190 and 109s and bits)

I love military aviation and love WW2 aircraft, your posts triggered a memory
and I could have kicked myself. My uncle owned scrap alloy yards in manchester and bury. He was the only chap in the area to have the aluminium smelting tower at the time (50s on) and I bet he must have seen his way through quite a lot of aircraft material.
Ive never asked him, but he must have contacts in the area – first thing this weekend im going to ask him about the failsworth yard, the mad woman – her dogs and as much as I can about who might still have what – if anyone does, he might know.

In his last yard he only ever kept cars that he thought were too rare to scrap.
Everyone else had piles of metros and allegros and he kept all the classic cars and rarities. It was useless for anyone looking for cheap parts as all his cars were classics and not of the era.

I cant believe I didnt think of it until now im sure he still has his contacts. Im hoping he can point me in the right direction of a Griffon or two – perhaps a Typhoon/Tempest at the back of his yard?. ;o)
(kick).

Having said that – he did manage to scrap (not) a 30’s Bentley 4-1/2L that some old bloke brought to his yard as it was a bit past its MOT. He kept that one himself.

Flood,

There was a single early Lockheed Neptune MR 1 in International Alloys in the late 1950s. Just the windscreen, cockpit and top fuselage decking visible. It puzzled us for some time as to just what it was at the time.

Mark

There is mention of Neptune MR.1s forward fuselage chunks in W&R most of the way through to the end – they could have looked fairly similar to the early Shack MR.1/T.4s, as I recall.

Consulted my big boys book of Shackletons (Avros Maritime Heavyweight – The Shackleton by Chris Ashworth on Aston) but most of the individual entries end with the dread phrase Declared NEA and sold as scrap, usually with a 1963 date following and no forwarding location.
You need to find someone who made notes of the new arrivals at Failsworth/etc and hasn’t lost his notebooks in the intervening 40 years – good luck!

Flood

Thanks, Flood.

I seem to remember seeing several Shackleton Mk. II nose sections (i.e. up to, but not including the cockpit) but our panel seems to be a Mk. I or maybe Mk. 4 type.

W&R3 (1968) said that Unimetal Ltd at Droylesden – aka Failsworth, aka Clayton Vale – had recently received Shackletons from Aldergrove…
W&R4 mentions three Shackleton noses.
By W&R6 (I don’t have W&R5:() it had changed to four noses, but after that no mention.
At no time were any identities mentioned.

Flood

Thanks for the Failsworth listing, Bograt, it’s the most comprehensive I’ve ever seen.

Pity there is no mention of a Shackleton on the list, as me and my pal pulled this early Shackleton panel out from under a pile of rubble, just as the yard was closing. It was almost bare, and the right hand half was missing altogether. British Aerospace at Chester made us a replacement as an apprentice project.

I wish we could get an i.d. for the aircraft!

Ah! International Alloys – Aylesbury. One of the haunts of my youth.

Mark

Hi

just stumbled across this one:

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=139384

*sigh*

Martin / Swiss Mustangs

Superb thread, chaps…..paid a visit there myself over a Bank Holiday in ’73, must have been Easter I think (memory chip in dire need of an upgrade… 😮 )

Anyway, just as a reminder of what was there, here’s a list from an old school friend and well-known tormentor of the Greek Air Force;

RF510 Lincoln B.2, (wings, rear fuselage and other parts) allocated 7377M at Weeton 16.10.56, Soc 13.5.58.

RH746 Brigand TF.I, Aw/Cn 16.3.46, to CRD Filton 5.4.46, to A&AEE 18.6.46, to ATDU Gosport, to Bristol’s 15.10.47, returning to ATDU 29.4.49.

VT376 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham as an AS.5 1.3.48, to Abbotsinch by 1.49, to Hal Far 13.5.49, to Gosport 9.49, to Fairey’s by 7.50 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.12.51, to Anthorn by 7.52, to ‘217’ 812 Sqn, to Belfast by 7.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

VT409 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 9.4.48 as an AS.5, to the Med 31.1.49 and with 810 Sqn as ‘233/T’ by 7.49, returned to the UK 29.2.50, to Fairey’s for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.5.51, to Anthorn, to St Merryn by 1.52, to ‘224/J’ 820 Sqn, loaned 826 Sqn 10.52, to Fairey’s by 7.53, to Hal Far 28.11.53, returned to the UK on HMS Glory 1.1.55, to Anthorn and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

VT460 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 1.7.48 as an AS.5, to 812 Sqn 7.48, to Gosport by 9.49, to Fairey’s by 7.50 for AS.6 conversion, to Abbotsinch by 7.52, to Eglinton 27.1.53, to Belfast by 7.53, to 826 sqn by 7.54, struck by VT464 in taxiing accident 29.9.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 22.7.57.

VT475 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham as an AS.5, to Lee by 1.49, to Abbotsinch by 7.49, to ‘237/T’ 810 Sqn, hit barrier on HMS Theseus, to Fairey’s by 1.50 for repair and AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.2.51, to Anthorn by 7.51, to Eglinton by 7.52, to ‘287’ 824 Sqn 4.53, to Eglinton 7.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

VW369 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 18.12.50, to 38 MU 15.1.51, alloc to MEAF 27.2.51, despatched 14.3.51 and arrived 20.3.51, to Fayid Stn Flt 22.3.51, to ‘H’ 208 Sqn 14.4.51, to 109 MU 16.2.55, issued to UK 12.5.55, to FRL for overhaul 7.6.55, to 33 MU 12.12.55, declared NEA 28.1.57 and sold for scrap 5.9.57 to Enfield Rolling Mills.

VX395 Firefly AS.6, (but reported Minworth 28.8.57).

VZ593 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 28.12.50, d/d 8 MU 9.1.51, alloc to MEAF 7.3.51 and despatched 9.3.51, to ‘Q’ 208 Sqn 13.3.51, all oc to UK 13.12.55 and to 32 MU 19.12.55, to 12 MU 25.7.56, declared NEA 1.2.57, sold for scrap 7.2.58.

VZ607 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 29.3.51, d/d 2 Sqn 16.4.51, Cat.4 accident 27.11.52, to Glosters for repair 3.12.52-17.6.53, to 8 MU 19.6.53, to ‘T-S’ 79 Sqn 4.2.54, Cat.4 accident 8.6.55, issued to UK 7.9.55, to Flight Refuelling Ltd for overhaul 7.9.55, to 33 MU 6.12.55, to sold for scrap 5.9.57.

WB431 Firefly AS.6, Toc by Fairey’s 28.4.50 as an AS.5 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.12.50, to Anthorn by 7.51, to Yeovilton by 7.52, to Anthorn by 7.53, to Stretton by 9.53 as ‘214/ST’, to 737 Sqn at Eglinton by 1.54, struck by VT474 in taxiing accident 5.11.54 but repaired and sent to Anthorn by 7.55, sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WB437 Firefly AS.6, Toc by Fairey’s 16.5.50 as an AS.5 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.2.51, to Anthorn by 7.51, to 812 Sqn by 7.52 as ‘215’, to Eglinton by 1.54, to Lee-On-Solent 14.9.54, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WB440 Firefly AS.6, Toc by Fairey’s 22.5.50 as an AS.5 for AS.6 conversion, Toc as AS.6 1.2.51, to 826 Sqn by 7.51 as ‘278/A’, to Fleetlands by 7.54, to Anthorn, to Eglinton 7.12.54 as ‘220/GN’, to Anthorn by 7.55 and sold for scrap 2.2.57.

WD847 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 31.8.50, to Abbotsinch by 1.51, to Fairey’s by 1.52, with CS(A) at Eglinton by 7.52, to RNAY Belfast by 7.53, to 703 Sqn/A Flt at Arbroath by 4.54 as ‘283/J’ until 2.7.54, to Arbroath Stn Flt, to Anthorn by 7.55 coded ‘602’, sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WD859 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Culham 3.10.50, to Anthorn by 1.51, to 1830 Sqn at Donibristle by 12.51 as ‘243/DO’, re-coded ‘243/AC’ 2.54, to 1842 Sqn at Ford, to Fleetlands by 7.54, to 1841 Sqn at Stretton by 6.55 as ‘286/ST’, to Anthorn by 1.56 and Soc 22.7.57 (but reported at Minworth 25.8.57).

WD907 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Anthorn 22.2.51 and with 814 Sqn by 1.52, to 826 Sqn by 2.52, to Belfast by 7.52, to 824 Sqn as ‘286/A’ by 4.53, to Scottish Air Division by 1.54 as ‘241/AC’, re-coded ‘221/AC’ 4.54, to Anthorn by 1.56 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WD918 Firefly AS.6, Toc at Anthorn 11.4.51, to 1840 sqn by 9.51 as ‘204/FD’, to C(A) by 7.54, to Ford by 10.54, to Anthorn by 1.56 and sold for scrap 2.3.57.

WF989 Balliol T.1, d/d A&AEE, to 7 FTS, to ‘CJ’ RAFC 22.2.54, to 9 MU store 22.4.55, sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WF991 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘AC’ RAFC 25.3.54, to 9 MU store 22.9.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WF997 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to RAFC 29.3.54, to 22 MU store 6.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG124 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘AR’ RAFC 2.4.54, to store at 22 MU 6.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG126 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘BR’ RAFC 31.3.54, to store at 22 MU 14.11.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG139 Balliol T.1, d/d 7 FTS, to ‘CO’ RAFC 11.3.54, to store at 22 MU 14.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WG229 Balliol T.1, d/d Home Command Comms Sqn, stored at 22 MU, sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WK198 Swift F.4, Laid down as an F.1 but completed as the F.4 prototype, f/f 27.5.53 from South Marston piloted by Mike Lithgow, MoS development/trials a/c, established London-Paris speed record 5.7.53 at 669.3 mph, to Tripoli 22.9.53 and on 25.9.53 established World Air Speed Record of 735.7 mph, to 23 MU 9.1.57 and transferred to RAF same day, allocated 7428M 20.5.57 and declared NEA 3.6.57, to 10 SoTT Kirkham 23.7.57, sold for scrap to Unimetal and Soc 2.6.58.

WK265 Swift F.3, Aw/Cn 20.1.56, to 15 MU store same day, to instructional as 7342M 27.3.56 and allocated to 10 SoTT at Kirkham 6.4.56, Soc 2.6.58 and sold for scrap to Unimetal.

WN149 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC as ‘AT’ 14.7.54, to store at 22 MU 18.11.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WN516 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC as ‘CC’ 23.4.54, Cat.4 7.10.55 and to store at 22 MU and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WN533 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC 10.12.54 becoming ‘AX’, to store at 22 MU 18.11.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WN534 Balliol T.1, d/d RAFC as ‘AF’ 3.6.54, to store at 22 MU 5.12.55 and sold for scrap 26.6.57 to Aluminium Refiners Ltd.

WV418 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 31.1.53, to CS(A), to 3 FTS, to CNCS, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

WV538 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 13.1.54, to 22 FTS, to 27 MU store, Soc 25.11.63.

WW391 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 31.8.54, to 9 MU store, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 25.11.63.

WX495 Neptune MR.1, (51-15917) accepted by USAF 7.3.52, dep Burbank 17.6.52, to Kinloss 3.7.52 for 217 Sqn as ‘A-F’, to ‘C-K’ 236 OCU 16.3.53, Cat.3R 5.2.54, repaired on site, completed 26.9.54, to 22 MU 5.9.56 for storage, declared NEA 17.4.58, sold for scrap to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX496 Neptune MR.1, (51-15918) accepted by USAF 30.4.52, dep Burbank 19.6.52, to Kinloss 3.7.52 for 217 Sqn as ‘A-D’, to 32 MU 5.8.52, returned to 217 Sqn 17.10.52, to ‘C-J’ 236 OCU 16.3.53, Cat.3R 5.2.54, repaired on site by 63 MU, completed 19.2.54, Cat.3R again 10.5.54, repaired on site by SAL and completed 28.7.54, to 22 MU store 5.9.56, declared NEA 21.4.58, sold to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX551 Neptune MR.1, (51-15963) accepted by USAF 28.4.53, dep Burbank 1.5.53, to Kinloss 13.5.53 for 45 MU store, to ‘C-O’ 236 OCU 7.8.53, Cat.3R 14.8.54, repaired by 63 MU and completed 20.8.54, to 22 MU store 4.9.56, declared NEA 17.4.58, sold to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX554 Neptune MR.1, (51-15965) accepted by USAF 22.5.53, dep Burbank 22.5.53, to Kinloss 3.6.53 for 45 MU store, to ‘A-A’ 217 sqn 8.6.53, Cat.3R 9.8.54, repaired on site by 63 MU, completed 14.8.54, Cat.3R(FA) port u/c collapse at Kinloss 10.4.56, repaired on site, to SAL for mods 18.4.56-19.9.56, returned to 217 Sqn 20.9.56, to 22 MU store 19.10.56, declared NEA 17.4.58, sold to Aluminium Refiners Ltd 11.11.58.

WX962 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 16.5.52, to 20 MU 23.5.52, to 33 MU 13.8.53, allocated to MEAF 12.6.54, to ‘Q’ 208 Sqn 3.7.54, allocated to UK 20.3.56 and arrived at 12 MU Kirkbride 26.3.56, declared NEA 1.2.57, Soc and sold for scrap 7.2.58.

WX968 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 23.6.52, to 33 MU 24.6.52, to ‘B-W’ 2 Sqn 10.12.52, to 33 MU 5.4.55, to ‘H’ 2 Sqn 8.9.55, to 38 MU 6.6.56, to 19 MU 31.1.57, Soc 30.12.57 to HH Bushell.

WX969 Meteor FR.9, Aw/Cn 30.6.52, to 33 MU 2.7.52, alloc to MEAF 16.7.54, to 107 MU 22.7.54, to ‘V’ 208 Sqn 25.8.54, to UK 20.3.56 and to 12 MU Kirkbride 26.3.56, declared NEA 1.2.57, Soc 30.12.57 and sold for scrap 7.2.58.

XF540 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 27.4.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF553 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 27.5.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF557 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 27.5.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF564 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 30.6.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XF686 Provost T.1, Aw/Cn 31.3.55, to 12 MU store, to 27 MU store, Soc 28.11.63.

XG657 Sea Venom FAW.21, (fuselage nacelle only) d/d Stretton RDU 4.6.56 (received 6.6), to 894 Sqn at Yeovilton 17.12.56, to 766 Sqn at Merryfield 26.2.57, to DH at Christchurch 2.5.57 for fuel tank replacement, to Merryfield 22.5.57, to Ark Royal (via Lossiemouth) 29.5.57, returned to Merryfield 28.6.57 for 766 Sqn as ‘737’, to RNAY Belfast 3.7.59 for modernisation, to 738 Sqn at Lossiemouth 1.6.60 (received 8.6.60) as ‘650/LM’, to Abbotsinch AHU 22.9.60 as “R/T 716” and occasionally used by Stn Flt as “Navair 657”, preserved 16.3.62 and eventually sold as scrap 19.12.62.

All of this lot were noted in March ’73. A fair few were in a very sorry state even then, I remember the Balliols and Provosts as being the most recogniseable, as they were in an area away from the main building. Most of the remainder were just in heaps, but the record breaking Swift was actually visible from the railway as I left for home – sheer good fortune that it remained at all really….funny people, scrapyard owners!!

Flushed with success, here are the first couple of Lasham shots promised, taken on 8 May 1971. More to follow some time.

although there has been talk of one of the two Balliol T2s in Sri Lanka finding its way home recently.

I saw one of the Balliols is with the SLAF Museum at Ratmalana – that probably wont move out of there. The Other Balliol I saw (from a great distance) was at Diyatalawa . This could be a candidate for acquisition? Though I am inclined not to think so as it is the SLAF property.

Both sightings are circa August 2003. Both aircraft are static displays and seem to be in pretty good condition.