Eon AP.5 Olympia 2B “ANW” BGA.538 ex G-ALNE has just been delivered to the Midland Air Museum at Coventry (Baginton). It is presently dismantled in the same hangar as their Sea Harrier. The glider was previously in store with a private owner in the Midlands. Although no longer airworthy the glider, once assembled, will become a reminder that Baginton was also a gliding site. Indeed this very example is reputed to have once operated from the airfield.
Last year when visiting Wetaskiwin in Canada I was reunited with an airworthy Tiger Moth that was once G-AOYU and had acted as a glider tug at Baginton in the 50s/60s. I well remember seeing it carrying out those duties. It’s a small world!
By: G-ASEA - 19th April 2006 at 21:35
The oly 2b is built useing aerolite glue witch has no problem, unlike casen witch must be kept dry. A few oly 2b’s are are still flying. I hear the cost of putting BGA538 back in the air was nearly as much as the glider was worth. Some parts of 538 will fly again in its sister ship at Dunstable in the near future.
By: RPSmith - 19th April 2006 at 01:01
The following is a bit of the history of this machine ‘lifted’ off Barry Clay’s Wings Over Warwickshire site
This Eon Olympia 2B which was the subject of mandatory ‘Withdrawn from use’ due to the type of construction and adhesives used. This particular sailplane is no stranger to Baginton having been owned by Doctor Gregg one of the well known founders of the Coventry Gliding Club who operated from Baginton for many years before establishing their own site at Husbands Bosworth. It’s identity is BGA538 and was also registerted G-ALNE for a period before the British Gliding Association took over the overseeing of British gliders and sailplanes. It is thought to have participated in some Coventry Air Pageants and during it’s time with Doctor Gregg was painted pea-green.
The sailplane was later owned by Mr J.Mead at Aston Down.
Great to hear one of Coventry G.C.s Tiger Moth (G-AOYU) tugs is still flying in Canada. One of the others is also active but a lot closer to home – G-ALWW (known affectionally as “weary willie”) is based at Bickmarsh.
Roger Smith.
By: bostin01 - 18th April 2006 at 21:04
I assisted when it arrived, but I am not aware of the circumstances of the ‘arrangement’.
Best thing I can do is refer you back to the museum, as I wouldn’t want to speculate not knowing what the respective parties have agreed.
Take care,
Kev 🙂
By: RPSmith - 18th April 2006 at 20:37
😮 But surely as a member of the Museum you know already Roger :confused:
First I’d heard of it Pete.
Roger Smith.
By: Consul - 18th April 2006 at 20:29
Consul,
Do you know if acquisition is a loan, donation or purchase?
Roger Smith.
Only had a quick chat with B. but I gained impression it had been donated but I’m not sure of exact terms so could be loan.
By: hunterxf382 - 18th April 2006 at 20:20
Consul,
Do you know if acquisition is a loan, donation or purchase?
Roger Smith.
😮 But surely as a member of the Museum you know already Roger :confused:
By: RPSmith - 18th April 2006 at 17:32
Consul,
Do you know if acquisition is a loan, donation or purchase?
Roger Smith.
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April 17, 2006 at 9:43 pm