New arrival at Caernarfon Air World Museum

Its not really a surprise that comments would be expressed about the Gannet.
Its survived since the 1960’s as a complete section so for people to express surprise at the cutting isn’t really a shock. In terms of perspective – a Canberra clearly doesn’t loose much of its perspective when its removed from the rest of the aircraft in much the same way that a Lightning forward fuselage is still an impressive piece and climbing exercise due to its size.
The Gannet to my mind certainly looses its visual impact from the fuselage slice – but as you say its a spare part and hence of limited value anyway!

Credit or blame!?

Good points made there, Jon.

That pretty much tells it how it is. I think those who know us know we wouldn’t chop anything which was sacred anyway.

The Gannet is an impressive(ly high) aircraft and should remain that way when viewed as a whole. However, this very definitely isn’t a “whole” and therefore, the decision was made to make it safer and chop it.

I’m one for not chopping anything – but I agreed with this one, and did it.

Anon.

An interesting state of affairs to come back to after a weekend away….!

I can only think of one full Gannet cockpit in existence now.
Does the bottom part still exist?

I can think of 25+ – on the front of preserved airframes. Surely they are more important than this spare part? We have not butchered a complete Gannet, nor have we deprived the world of the sole remaining example. Instead, we have taken a spare part and reworked it so that everyone can enjoy it without the risk of serious injury by falling 10ft whilst exiting/entering the cockpit.

Yes the bottom half still exists and we are looking at options of how to sensibly move it on. Scrapping certainly isnt an option at this moment in time.

Its one of those questions – the Gannet by its sheer size is an impressive aircraft. Cutting the cockpit tends to take away that perspective. Whilst it might in some cases make ownership more practical – few would argue that cutting the likes of Lightnings and Jet Provosts improves the look of the cockpit.

Indeed a Gannet is an impressive aircraft for size, but as mentioned above this was never one being only a spare part. So even before we did anything, to get a true idea of a Gannet you would still need to go to a museum. As for cockpits in general, the moment they are removed from an airfame is surely when you lose the perspective? Anything after that is splitting hairs I would have thought.

So long as TAC keep the lower Gannet C/pit section ( not scrap it) then (It looks like a good straight,clean cut Jon ) Then the 2 sections could be clamped/bolted/fastened –back together at other times, so you haven’t lost that display capability that Pagan mentions. That way everyone wins.

I cant take credit as I didnt do it!

Jon

What overbearing regulations ? I don’t recall any new regulations that have had a dramatic effect on moving aircraft cockpits on the road. As for cutting airframes to make them ‘modular’ please no!

No Problems here guys !!!

So long as TAC keep the lower Gannet C/pit section ( not scrap it) then (It looks like a good straight,clean cut Jon ) Then the 2 sections could be clamped/bolted/fastened –back together at other times, so you haven’t lost that display capability that Pagan mentions. That way everyone wins.

I would think about doing the same to the Twin Pioneer C/pit you have guys.

These days, because of high costs and overbearing regulations, Modular exhibits is one answer.

Bill T.

ps:- apologies for thread creep moderators.—–:D

Its one of those questions – the Gannet by its sheer size is an impressive aircraft. Cutting the cockpit tends to take away that perspective. Whilst it might in some cases make ownership more practical – few would argue that cutting the likes of Lightnings and Jet Provosts improves the look of the cockpit.

To cut or Not to cut ?

Actually i like what you’ve done (very much). And your not the first to chop one like that either.

Considering it’s future use as an exhibit, it’s a practical solution to the average Joe Public who doesn’t have an NVQ level 3 in mountaineering to scale a normal Gannet

To cut or Not to cut ?

Actually i like what you’ve done (very much). And your not the first to chop one like that either.

Considering it’s future use as an exhibit, it’s a practical solution to the average Joe Public who doesn’t have an NVQ level 3 in mountaineering to scale a normal Gannet

I will admit that this is one aircaft section that I would dearly of loved to have owned (even traded my Vixen sim), and would have kept as it was.
I think the fact that it wasn’t a known flyer and has existed for so long as a cockpit section kind of lends argument to keeping it that way. I can only think of one full Gannet cockpit in existence now.
Does the bottom part still exist?

Of course I wouldn’t ever tell someone what to do with their items, but genuinely shocked to have read the above.

I will admit that this is one aircaft section that I would dearly of loved to have owned (even traded my Vixen sim), and would have kept as it was.
I think the fact that it wasn’t a known flyer and has existed for so long as a cockpit section kind of lends argument to keeping it that way. I can only think of one full Gannet cockpit in existence now.
Does the bottom part still exist?

Of course I wouldn’t ever tell someone what to do with their items, but genuinely shocked to have read the above.

Cut!

The decision wasn’t made lightly, Pagen.

After much discussion and argument the cut was done. The section is, after all, an un-registered/serialled component and was impractically large.

We had anticipated a degree of backlash but the decision was a committee one, not just down to the two of us (blame deflected somewhat:D)

What would you have done with/to it?

Anon.

Cut!

The decision wasn’t made lightly, Pagen.

After much discussion and argument the cut was done. The section is, after all, an un-registered/serialled component and was impractically large.

We had anticipated a degree of backlash but the decision was a committee one, not just down to the two of us (blame deflected somewhat:D)

What would you have done with/to it?

Anon.

Below is a pic of a Forumite (who shall remain nameless) cutting it in two.

Nooooo:eek::mad:
Surely the cockpit was manageable enough as it was, it used to be trailered around to shows?

Below is a pic of a Forumite (who shall remain nameless) cutting it in two.

Nooooo:eek::mad:
Surely the cockpit was manageable enough as it was, it used to be trailered around to shows?

Gannet, etc.

Yes, the Gannet moved to Hooton Park and is now under the ownership of TAC there. Below is a pic of a Forumite (who shall remain nameless) cutting it in two.

I have to admit my own part in chopping it as well so I’ve got blood on my hands too:D Quite necessary, I might add, due to the sheer height of the beast. It’s now a much more manageable six foot high. A candidate for Cockpit Fest next year, I believe (that’ll make T.O. smile!)

The Harrier looks really nice. A credit to Chris Wilson and his team who have put an enormous amount of work into it to make it what it is – well done chaps.

Anon.

Gannet, etc.

Yes, the Gannet moved to Hooton Park and is now under the ownership of TAC there. Below is a pic of a Forumite (who shall remain nameless) cutting it in two.

I have to admit my own part in chopping it as well so I’ve got blood on my hands too:D Quite necessary, I might add, due to the sheer height of the beast. It’s now a much more manageable six foot high. A candidate for Cockpit Fest next year, I believe (that’ll make T.O. smile!)

The Harrier looks really nice. A credit to Chris Wilson and his team who have put an enormous amount of work into it to make it what it is – well done chaps.

Anon.

Thank you for making that clearer, Pagen 01. So it is now accounted for which is good.

Thank you for making that clearer, Pagen 01. So it is now accounted for which is good.

These bits suggest it’s now based at Hooton,

It is the ex Tangmere, Hooton Park, somewhere in the Greater Manchester area example. Though you can now add Caernarfon to the list of previous locations as it has moved on once more.

, &

After some negotiation, it has been acquired by The Aeroplane Collection at Hooton Park and made the journey on Friday 20th July. The aim is to use it as a travelling exhibit.

These bits suggest it’s now based at Hooton,

It is the ex Tangmere, Hooton Park, somewhere in the Greater Manchester area example. Though you can now add Caernarfon to the list of previous locations as it has moved on once more.

, &

After some negotiation, it has been acquired by The Aeroplane Collection at Hooton Park and made the journey on Friday 20th July. The aim is to use it as a travelling exhibit.