Visited Midland Air Museum at Coventry today to see their new acquisition. SHAR ZE694 arrived last evening on two transports and today the museum staff and members re-fitted the wing and were fitting the tailplane when I left. The museum staff went down to Yeovilton yesterday and dismantled the thing, a pretty good job they did of it too considering none of them had worked a SHAR before. They’ll be looking for two rear nozzles in the future though.
ZE694 – Wing fitted
ZE694 – Airborne.for one last time
ZE694 – Fitting the tailplane 1
ZE694 – Fitting the tailplane 2
MAM is still an excellent day out with a surprising variety of airframes and history archives. The addition of a Sea Harrier nicely complements their Gannet, Sea Vixen and Sea Hawk.
Go have a look, they’re a very friendly bunch.
🙂
By: Manonthefence - 16th February 2005 at 23:40
(and insane overuse of them)
Ah so the numer that is over use is three and three is the number that shall be over use.
Just playing with a new toy, I have calmed down now.
. 20% more than normal
Good to see the old Putnams thinking going on mate
Weekends are filling up fast so we need to book soon.
By: LesB - 16th February 2005 at 23:33
May one suggest a Forum meet in the future (perhaps on a day that Malcolm is there) to view this and the Sea Harrier and of course drink loads of tea and slag off forum members.
I’d go if I may. Never been to a Forum Meet. Is special clothing required?
Malc’s always there during the week on a couple of days and on a Sunday. I’m sure he’d be glad to show you lot around the Canberra and SHAR. Be aware though, there are NO Mustangs or Spitfires (except models) but there is an exceedingly well stocked shop and a great little cafe – with very tasty cheese toasties. 😉
.
By: Manonthefence - 16th February 2005 at 23:31
Arent we Mr Grumpy tonight then.
Back on topic, Forum meet anyone?
By: Manonthefence - 16th February 2005 at 23:27
Oh god the fun police have arrived!
By: Manonthefence - 16th February 2005 at 23:21
What this one?
By: Manonthefence - 16th February 2005 at 23:00
Damien has been raving about the work that has been carried out on the Canberra for ages. Reading that website its clear that it is a magnificent effort.
May one suggest a Forum meet in the future (perhaps on a day that Malcolm is there) to view this and the Sea Harrier and of course drink loads of tea and slag off forum members.
By: TMN - 16th February 2005 at 20:32
Sorry, did actually mean HE.
Spent about 20 minutes stopping him from working by talking to him about the Canberra, and I could tell he is very passionate about the aircraft and very proud of it.
So credit where it is due – HE is doing a fantastic job. (Keep it up Malcolm!)
(I would post some photo’s of the interior but have not yet set up a photobucket account).
By: LesB - 16th February 2005 at 20:21
Thanks TMN, it is a good place to visit.
When they repaint the exterior . . .
They? He you mean, only one bloke doing the work on the Canberra – but I go down and badger him every couple or three weeks. 😀 He’s an ex-RAF Electrical Chief, and was looking for a “project” in his retirement. Has amazing motivation. Read about his refurbishment project here.
.
By: TMN - 16th February 2005 at 20:05
I have to agree with LesB.
I was at MAM last October and found the staff and volunteers extremely friendly and helpful – I even got to have a crawl around inside the Canberra, which is in fantastic condition inside since its restoration. When they repaint the exterior it would be nice to see it kept as it is, with the dayglo leading edges from its time as a test aircraft.
By: LesB - 16th February 2005 at 19:54
Just a thought Damien . . . why does your pic look like the thing’s painted in Hemp and mine look sea grey? What lens were you using? The 135 IS?
By: LesB - 16th February 2005 at 19:23
Sorry I missed you to Damien. And it was your turn to buy the toasted cheese sarnies.
Hmm – becareful with health and safety in regard to hard hats…
Shame to see it like that (an aircraft so young in a museum, I mean), but at least it isn’t being parted out.
Well, their Canberra guy was wearing a hard hat (under the port side in my last photo) 😉
Seems ZE694 is 1988 vintage – just 17 years old! Jeese, 39Sqn’s Canberras have oleos older’n that. :diablo:
BTW, while I’m here, MAM’s outdoor Canberra, WF922, is one of only two PR.3s left in the world (complete airframe). The other is in Hendon – the record breaker WE319. The MAM Canberra guy has spent the last year making the systems work. Electrics (including a fully working cockpit) and hydraulics all work and can be “hackled”. Damien can tell you just how tough it was for us CanMen to hand-pump the air brakes, and then just managing to crack open the flare bay doors. Good job we didn’t try to pump the u/c up, we’d still be there. 😀
Go see it yourself, you may even get a chance to try it for yourself.
.
By: Dave T - 16th February 2005 at 18:20
Nozzles
I know of some nozzles for sale if they are interested ?
By: Flood - 16th February 2005 at 17:46
Hmm – becareful with health and safety in regard to hard hats…
Shame to see it like that (an aircraft so young in a museum, I mean), but at least it isn’t being parted out.
Flood
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February 16, 2005 at 3:35 pm