Few MAM pics!

Will hold you to that Peter (Canadian) 😀 😀 😀

I’ll get the coffees in, a fair deal me thinks Sir!!! :p

Cheers for that Rlangham, I keep looking out for you every time you say your coming up but I don’t know what ya look like (apart from being young with a daft Leic’ accent..lol).Next time your about make yourself known mate, ask for me. 🙂

Kev

P.S. Cheers Pete (bald one not the Canadian)……..see you around soon I hope 😉

Thanks Kev! If i do end up with a spare day and am in the vicinity you can count on it!!

Good to hear the Argosy can be powered up it helps get some life and warth back in to the cockpits.

Here here, Cov is a great place, cheers to the guys the other week who let me sit in XF382 and the Argosy!

Just to back up Kev’s replies to James with regards the MAM Argosy…

Some of the lesser known work done already includes rebuilding the flight deck panels and restoring power to the cockpit! No mean feat when it was gutted on arrival to provide spares for the remaining ‘flyer’ at East Mids (see if you can guess which one that might be :diablo: ). So now there is a function restored to the cockpit, which gets even more life into the old “whistling wheelbarrow”. Not only that, but the front loading hinged nose can be powered open / closed not just hand wound – so there is more than you think working on her…

As for the tyres – the port u/c gear has a tyre off the rim at the moment. About 3 years ago, I attempted to provide a solution whilst attending to the tyre on my Hunter project… It involved trying to reseat the tyre onto the rim using some techniques learnt from the RAF as well as some drastic methods used in the tyre fitting industry… Sadly it didn’t work – came really really close, but didn’t work 🙁 and as the Museum doesn’t possess suitable jacks for this heavy old kite, it can’t currently be lifted to get the wheel off, so it’s one of those things on the ‘wish list’….

There’s a lot of activity going on at the Museum, all of the time – after all it’s a big place with a lot of upkeep needed, and quite a lot goes un-noticed even by other museum members because it’s not immeadiatly noticeable. As a volunteer organisation, the MAM does very well indeed considering the size of some of the projects, and those like me who wish we could get over there more frequently get very frustrated to hear of comments that make it sound like the MAM can’t be ‘bothered’ about the condition of some airframes…
The Museum do listen to comments – and act accoringly, but everything takes both time and money – and more crucially – enough volunteers to do it!

Speaking of which – I must get round to finishing my “Trolley Acc” project of the last 10 years 😮

Pete B

James, it already has bud.

Although it’s mucky on the outside the interior has had a lot of work done including painting the flight deck, plus various other internal jobs.

I believe the exterior is due too soon.Remember, it is a large airframe, and it’s quite a an excerise to repaint needing alot of planning/money etc.

That’s about as much as I know, as I’m not directly involved with the project.
If you need anymore info, give the museum a ring or pop in, we’re a freindly bunch you know. 🙂

Peter, make sure you visit when your next on your hols! There’s a paint brush with your name on it! 😀 😀

Cheers

Kev

Wow the Argosy does look a bit mucky but if the paint job on the Hunter is anything to go by, she will look pristine in no time! If armchair enthusiasts do not like to see British heritage looking like the Argosy does at present,then why not drop into MAM in person and while there drop a few quid into the donation box. Coppers can make things happen faster rather than negative comments about the condition of aircraft that are displayed outside.

And yes if I lived in the UK still, I would gladly volunteer my time to heelp repaint the aircraft!

Cheers Bostin01

G-BEOZ will have a lot of work doing to it, a repaint, a clean-out etc. Also to sort out the concrete pads because the right side wheel is not on properly, we measured out the pads wrong lol and we want to extend the concrete so the wheel doesn’t sink.

Will G-APRL at Coventry have any work done to it?

James B

Cheers for your kinds words James. 🙂

Anyway, I hope all goes well with G-BEOZ.

Take care bud.

Kev

We get dirt on G-BEOZ at East Midlands, but not as bad as Coventry’s. G-BEOZ is mainly clean all around apart from the tail section. I also noticed by the pics that the tires are flat. A sorry state.

Only 2 Argosy 101s left in the UK. Let’s hope they both get some attention. Well I will be starting on the Argosy at NEMA.

James B

Hi James.

Yeah the Argosy has suffered with the dreaded algae this year, it has been cleaned a few times but for some reason it returns very quickly!! 😡

I believe that now the Vulcan’s done, it will be next on the ‘hitlist’.

The Sea Vixen is awaiting the final touches on the paint side then the markings will be added, she’ll be a beaut mate! 🙂

Cheers

Kev 😀

What has happened to the Argosy, it looks ever so dirty. I work with the other 101 Argosy at East Midlands Airport. The Sea Vixen looks a lot better now. Are there plans to add some letters on it etc.

James B

Nice pics Kev mate….. just look at the Hind now..lol 😮 Can’t wait til the rotor blades go on (tethering solution got be found first so I’m told by Barry) – then we’ll be able to use it as a gazebo on those hot summer days…lol Just throw an old parachute over the blades – hey presto one sunshade for 150 people…lol
I’m gonna be popping in the Museum myself over the weekend, but only to show someone around – not working….. might even take a few more piccies myself.

By the way – Barry & Di know my personal circumstances have changed somewhat in recent weeks = not been able to come up at all, etc etc….

Things are changing rapidly now – and I’ll soon be back to my old days up there as and when I please….. 😉

Nice piccies Kev ! I will be back up and about MAM this weekend mate so if your about pop in havent seen you in ages !!!!
see you soon mate

Very nice, nice pic of the Beaufighter cockpit, i’ve never seen it so light, and i was there the other week! Looks like they’ve closed the nose on the Argosy since my last visit too.
Cheers, Rob

Rob, The Argosy nose is normally kept shut and opened on various occasions. There is a hand-crank that is fitted and turned to open it.

Re the Beaufighter cockpit there are two scale models (1/48 and 1/72??) suspended in front of it – the effect works very well (apart from the lack of deafening noise!). As well as the fact that Beaufighter fuselages were built locally by The Standard Motor Co, the Museum used to have a very keen ex-Beaufighter pilot Les DeFaye (ex Sgt) amongst it’s volunteers.

Roger Smith.

Peter, the fuselage section is the last remnants of a Whitley!

Cheers

Kev

It’s rather hidden away now, but it is the rear end of the fuselage and there is also a tailplane and one of the fins attached (just behind the tall display case).

Roger Smith.

Peter, the fuselage section is the last remnants of a Whitley!

Cheers

Kev

Cheers Rlangham 🙂 The Beaufighter does light up quite well with a powerful flash. 😀

and to finish!!

nice pics the Vulcan looks much better! What is that fusleage section from?

Very nice, nice pic of the Beaufighter cockpit, i’ve never seen it so light, and i was there the other week! Looks like they’ve closed the nose on the Argosy since my last visit too.
Cheers, Rob

Some more??