I have just spoken with the Aircraft keeper at Flambards, re Gannet XG831s removal mentioned in the other thread.
Basically the aircraft has to be moved, as it is no longer deemed fit to keep it out doors at their venue. It will be craned off the gate on Monday 4th Feb and put in a compound. They are not asking anything for the Gannet itself, if it goes to a museum or onward preservation, however the cost of craning and removal off site will be the responsibility of the new owner. I got the impression that the maintainers on site would help as much as possible with removal, but that is not a commitment. Wings are well and truely spread and locked, so the outer sections would have to be removed for transit.
This sounds a really good offer for anyone with the right contacts (haulage firms, collections etc), and I’m really hoping that some one can step in and save this fairly unusual aircraft. If not saved soon it will be scrapped on site, somethng we don’t want to see.
I wish I was in a good position myself to do something, but just cannot. If needed I can help out with contacts and as a willing hand on the day.
By: Airspeed Horsa - 22nd February 2008 at 22:49
Just a quick note to say many thanks the guys at Davidstow Museam who allowed me and my brother to stay at the site and watch the Gannets arrival and unloading (I am the lad in the museams second pic).
We were cycling through to the ROC bunker to get some photage for our movie, and I now have a 50′ roll of super 8 cine on the Gannet! It’s not everyday a plane overtakes you on a low-loader!
They were very friendly and courteous, and I hope the Gannet is soon reassembled in its new home.
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th February 2008 at 20:43
Davidstow Fairey Gannet
A tracked Rapier it is! Part of the military vehicle collection. Well spotted.
By: T6flyer - 18th February 2008 at 19:59
Is that a ‘tracked’ Rapier behind the Gannet?
Sorry…..I’ll get me coat. 😮
Perhaps that was there to stop nosy persons like myself!!
Martin
By: Creaking Door - 18th February 2008 at 19:52
Is that a ‘tracked’ Rapier behind the Gannet?
Sorry…..I’ll get me coat. 😮
By: T6flyer - 18th February 2008 at 19:03
Here are three photos taken of the Cornish countryside yesterday morning. We stayed well over to the North of the airfield and wont make a habit of it (honest), it was just interesting to see what everyone is talking about.
Will have to have a look for myself, next time I come to see Charlie Appleton at the airfield. Flying in his Ikarus is now probably the only way, that this historic airfield can be added to one’s logbook.
Best wishes,
Martin
By: pagen01 - 18th February 2008 at 11:21
The problem with cutting the wings, isn’t so much the finished appearence, but the loss of structural integrity. Cutting the wings should always be a very last option anyway, but cutting the wings between the main undercarriage and the fusalage is a major loss of strength in the crucial spars to fusalage area.
More time taken diassembling the wings at the fold (dont forget Faireys have helped you here!) would have been far more prefferable, it would have still been transportable. XA459 was moved complete without removing anything.
However, at least it’s saved and I hope you manage to get it all back together ok, you guys stepped in when others didn’t 🙂
I nipped down for a look y.day for a quick look, but no one was around.
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th February 2008 at 09:33
Davidstow Fairey Gannet
The two aircraft engineers Vince and Chris were obviously not happy at having to cut the wings but, as has been said, time was of the essence. The cutting was very skilfully done with no loss of metal and of course it is intended that you will not be able to see the join!!
It will be a proud day if it looks as good as Queensland Air Museum’s Mark.
By: mark_pilkington - 18th February 2008 at 04:40
Unfortunatly due to time& financial constraints the wings were cut off.
Hopefully will be re attached (somehow) one day.
It is indeed unfortunate, not only because the aircraft was complete and in “reasonable” condition as compared to others facing a more uncertain fate, but also because there is obviously significant work to correct it, as compared with dis-assembly or shifting it with wings folded etc.
Obviously in a perfect world these other options would be far preferable, however its clear its reprieve came at very short notice and with limited resources, and having watched the uncertainty of the future of this airframe in the forum for so long it is better to see it recovered even at this “cost” than to see it simply disappear into scrap.
Well done to those involved and hopefully the repairs can be both structurally and cosmetically achieved to allow the airframe to live on in retirement and preservation.
The before and after shots of the Queensland Air Museum example shows how you can salvage a Gannet back into excellent museum display, when you set your mind to it, and perhaps be an incentive for recovery plans for the other Gannets still looking for a long term home?
regards
Mark Pilkington
By: T6flyer - 17th February 2008 at 19:10
Came and had a look at the Gannet this morning….from above. Will post some photos later in the week. Don’t think we were the only ones to have a look today….makes an interesting change to looking at the Lightnings in the area!
Martin
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th February 2008 at 21:03
Davidstow Fairey Gannet
Should have read the previous thread – sorry. The wings are being reattached in the next few days, they should be there for all to see at Easter.
By: WG-13 - 16th February 2008 at 21:02
Popped up to Flambards this morning to see a number of thoroughly focused individuals doing their very best to ensure the preservation of this important airframe. Very well done, all of you. Nice to see that it arrived safely, too.
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th February 2008 at 20:59
Davidstow Fairey Gannet
Photos of the arrival at Davidstow Airfield and Cornwall at War Museum now on http://cornwallatwar.rafdavidstowmoor.org/
By: Peter - 16th February 2008 at 20:48
That is very unfortunate …. Hopefully with time and money, they can be reattached and be unable to tell they were cutoff.
By: H.M.S Vulture - 16th February 2008 at 20:31
Gannet ECM.6 XG831
Unfortunatly due to time& financial constraints the wings were cut off.
Hopefully will be re attached (somehow) one day.
By: pagen01 - 16th February 2008 at 20:26
‘Anyway, good effort to get it dismantled that quickly! Was any ‘non production break’ dismantling done?’ The wings by the looks of it, could be fun glueing them back on!
I can see alot of effort has made to do the move as properly as possible.
By: H.M.S Vulture - 16th February 2008 at 20:19
Gannet ECM.6 XG831
Some pics.
By: Bruce - 16th February 2008 at 20:18
My mate was choking in Pizza Hut Truro when it went past!
I often have that problem in pizza hut…
Anyway, good effort to get it dismantled that quickly! Was any ‘non production break’ dismantling done?
Rather different to the example at Doncaster…..
Bruce
By: pagen01 - 16th February 2008 at 19:15
Glad it went well and to plan, and excellent pics there G-CVIX. Really wish I could have made it, but great that it has been saved.
My mate was choking in Pizza Hut Truro when it went past!
By: Arabella-Cox - 16th February 2008 at 18:13
Got some shots of the move up here –
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1217294#post1217294
Hope you like. 😉
By: Arabella-Cox - 14th February 2008 at 18:27
Fairey Gannet mov to Davidstow
The operation to move the Gannet from Flambards to Davidstow is to take place on Saturday 16 February, hopefully at 0900hrs. De-rivetting is being undertaken and will continue tomorrow, Friday. If any of you can help with the de-rivetting you would be very welcome on site. Just let me know who you are so I can pass your name on.
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January 31, 2008 at 10:30 am