Ground Runnable aircraft In The UK

condition of Comet

With it nearly time for the Open Day at Bruntingthorpe I just wondered if anyone had any information on the current condition of the Comet. Having a quick search around shows their website hasnt been updated since 2005.

When was the last time it was run up?

Thanks for any info,

MH

I almost forgot this little gem at Newark, sadly now displayed deep inside their Hangar 1. There was even talk of the air display circuit at one time and I believe that it was even placed on the register. 😎

Same ground power unit as was used on the Hastings – circa 1983 I believe but Joe Petroni might have a more accurate date.

Oh yes, it’s the ex-Royal Norwegian Air Force Saab Safir.

Newark’s Shack is not a runner, I believe that the engines are seized, I don’t think she’s ever been a runner since the museum acquired her.
No doubt someone, a self confessed expert, will correct me!

I must be going mad, I was sure I had seen some pics of it running at night with lights twinkling away, whats worse is I thought I saw them on this forum, must have been yours Peter?

Newark’s Shack is not a runner, I believe that the engines are seized, I don’t think she’s ever been a runner since the museum acquired her.
No doubt someone, a self confessed expert, will correct me!

Quite correct – WR977 is not run; I understand that some work has been done to free off the engines but the drastic actions required to effect the move in 1977 would require ‘major re-plumbing and wiring’.:eek:

The other potential runner at Newark was covered on post # 19 here http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=74686&highlight=Hastings

Changed the title a bit. let me know if it is better..

Perfect:) Thanks!

Gatwick Aviation Museum do have a runnable Sea Prince.
We are just in the midst of modifying the starboard fuel c0ck system to match the port side. The mod consists of removing the original fuel c0ck and teleflex and replacing it with another fuel c0ck driven by an electrical actuator. The mechanical bit is done and I am preparing to make the electrical loom and control panel now. Should be complete in a couple of weeks and we can then run her fully again.

The long term aim is to get the Vipers on the Shack to a runnable condition. Not sure that we would ever run all six (4 Griffons; 2 Vipers) but you never know!

It is also possible that we will get the Venom running again in the near future. It used to run, but that was probably over ten years ago. A recent quick survey suggests that it’s still in good condition and we can get the cartridges.

We are also working on the Hunter T7 to get ready to fit the engine to this soon. After the seats were taken out and the nose leg re-inflated the cockpit floor and low down bits were found to be in a poor condition due to water ingress in the past. Just renovating the three Teleflex runs at the moment. (Throttle;LP C0ck;HP C0ck).

Newark’s Shack is not a runner, I believe that the engines are seized, I don’t think she’s ever been a runner since the museum acquired her.
No doubt someone, a self confessed expert, will correct me!

Changed the title a bit. let me know if it is better..

i dont know? bex would know but she hasnt posted on here in months anyone that knows, copy the list and add to it?

ok ive added the two canberras, i think the shacks deserve a place, perhaps the Thread title could be Changed to Ground running aircraft?

Well if thats the case isn’t (or was) Newarks Shack a runner?
Sea Prince somewhere, Gatwick maybe?

If the mod’s can do it, I’m all for it 🙂 I can’t change it myself.

ok ive added the two canberras, i think the shacks deserve a place, perhaps the Thread title could be Changed to Ground running aircraft?

A couple that everyone seems to have missed.

Kemble – Canberra PR.9 – XH134 & XH135.

The Shack’s not a Jet!

Gatwick Aviation Museum – have, sea vixen, buccaneer s.1 and a shackleton that they run up regularly i believe.

Air Atlantique/Classic Flight Shackleton

Although the MR3.3 Shacks have jet engines in them, I don’t think Gatwick will run their Shack Vipers – they were primarily for boost at take off, something I am sure Gatwick will hope to avoid!:diablo:

The MR2 Shacks never had jet engines in them, so cannot be classed as a jet aircraft at all..

Regards,
Scotty

It seems the majority of these taxiable jets represent the heavier types. I’m surprised nobody has been ground running DH Vampires or Venoms, as the spares have been available for the past 15+ years.

I have a ground running Welland, built in December 1943, so, I believe, the oldest running jet engine in the world.

Terry

is that the one that was at legends last summer alongside the merlins and next to the griffon? fantastic job, i was amazed at how easily she started, a quick wind round of the turbine spool and that was basically it. beautiful 🙂

Welland

I have a ground running Welland, built in December 1943, so, I believe, the oldest running jet engine in the world.

Terry

Vixens avon

regards getting another avon for the vixen
in the words of the saying

“it’s behind you Max and Ritch”

well your JP anyway lurking under the cover

Hi
The Vulcan at Wellesbourne Mountford Aerodrome in Warwickshire used to run a few years ago, not sure if it still does?

Still very active – for next run see:
http://www.xm655.com/events.php

Sorry!

Hi Andy
Sorry if I gave the impresion you guys were taking it easy! I shold have known better! It was Lee who ran B.A.H.’s Bucc for a while, and I spent most of the day trying to get some corroded screws out of our stbd tip light lens without breaking it, got there in the end, but over 4 hours, just to change a duff bulb, I am only glad the weather played ball again.
I bet people on this forum think it must be great to own a runner! just turn up on a Saturday, pull off a few covers, climbe in and play at being Biggles, if only it was that easy. I chalange any of them to come down on a January Saturday and have a go!! you know what I mean!!!
Anyway, I will say sorry again and encourage all to come along an meet us all on May 25th, it looks like it could be a great day.

Hi Ben
There is a third Buccaneer in work at Bruntingthorpe, but I believe it is some way off running still. However there is a real depth of knowledge on Bucc’s at Brunty, so, if it can happen anywhere, that’s the place.
There is a real “buzz” about Bruntingthorpe at the moment, I was there today working on our Jet Provost, XN584. There was a large group working on the Bucc’s, with one getting a run, and another an engine change, ourselves and the rest of the lads from Phoenix Aviation on the Jet Provost’s and two Hunter’s, Matt was hard at work painting the Sea Vixen, Bob from B.A.H. was hard at work on the Mystere IV and Brian has started work on his new Starfighter, which will soon sprout wings again. The Lightning group were a bit quiet after last weeks photo day, but they deserve the odd day off the work they do.
I also believe the Vulcan will be flying again in the next few days, so, the place is well and truly buzzing!
If we get decent weather, I think the May 25th open day will be one of the best yet, so be sure to come along if you can.

Hi Ritch, we wernt quiet at all today mate, oh no busy bee’s us LPGer’s, no rest for us you know 😉

728’s ventral fought us all the way, but we got it off in the end, I will post an update on the QRA thread in abit 😉

Saw the BAH lads running the Bucc (XX900) assume a shake down in prep for the 25th 😉

We are back tomorrow, working out whats up with 728’s No1 reheat now the tank is off.

Must admit it was a cracking day up there, almost summer, didnt have to wear ‘me’ thermals :rolleyes:

Cheers