Newark Air Museum, V-Force Reunion… and 558

Nice photos there! 🙂

Details of the winner of the signed Michael Rondot Vulcan print at last weekend’s V-Force event have now been posted on the museum website in the usual place!

A few stills from the film that Howard has linked to. We spent the day with Martin and Andy gathering material for the film. Thanks to them and everyone at Newark Air Museum and RAF Waddington Heritage Centre for letting us film on site.

This film is the second short film that Electric Egg has made for Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire. The first, A Bomb Aimer’s Story is also available to watch free online… here…

http://vimeo.com/39478389

Hi G1,

Two of the film crews were gathering material for documentaries that will air on BBC4 and BBC Look North (Inside Out) later in the year. As mentioned before, links and heads-up will follow when broadcast dates are known! 😉

The third item went out on BBC East Midlands last Saturday and sadly I missed it and it didn’t appear on the i-Player; the BBC web link to the event was http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17885714

I guess whilst mentioning Falkland related items it would be worthwhile reminding everyone about
”Sailing With The Queen” the AHL event that givees a different look at the Falklands Campaign i.e. the QE2 sailing off to the Falklands having being modified to carry troops and land helicopters! 🙂

“Reflections on Operation Black Buck”

Thx for that Howard, when known it would be good to have some links posted re the three camera crews who were there on the day, been wondering if they have done their editing etc or I think they would have been broadcast by the regional TV people by now.

G1

In the light of the V-Force reunion last weekend I thought that it might be appropriate to post details about another item that features some of the stars from last weekend – this is a new video entitled “Reflections on Operation Black Buck” that has just been released by Aviation Heritage Lincolnshire and it can be viewed by following this YouTube link!

Perhaps Mr Hatton will be along with some more information!! 🙂

V-FORCE REUNION 2012 PIX

[QUOTE=Blue_2;1885197]Very good GOK! The Vulcan panel has now been reunited with its neighbour by the way.

Good to hear they’ll be on the wall sometime, here’s a review anyway before I go off to sample the wonders of the late night bus and DLR – including Boris’s 8% hike… still better than Ken anyway.

STRIP 1
1-2.‘Triple-M’ time as Martin’s Marvellous Models took the eye when entering the hangar on the stb’d side – an unusual model of the Vulcan hulk that languished at Valley(?) for many years made for an unusual diorama while amongst all the triple V models, the one of Victor XL513 in her ‘high white’ under-scheme gave a good contrast.

3. All displays and models were of a high standard and despite the absence of a power point for their DVD movie unit the ASR displays of the Cold War Intercept group were to the fore again. The MS 5 Liferaft prompted Vic Pheasant amongst others to recall many V memories, including how stomach-churning it was to be in a 5-man Liferaft.

Cold War Intercept reported:
On Saturday we attended the bi-annual Tribute to the V Force event at Newark Air Museum England. Over 400 past serving RAF Aircrew members who flew on Valiant, Victor and Vulcan throughout the Cold War (many quite elderly now) turned out on a bitterly cold day to exchange stories and generally reminisce about past times. Quite a large timespan to cover, some 40 years, so we concentrated on 1950s/60s era gear and ancillary survival kit.

We exhibited our MS 5 Liferaft (yes, V bombers did carry one!) and single seat Liferaft along with other items such as Pressure jerkin and Air ventilated suit. Large cast metal Victor B1 model (used in RAF recruiting Office windows in the 1960s) along with various period adverts from 50s / 60s magazines. The stories we heard throughout the day relating to the equipment we displayed were truly amazing and a fount of knowledge as it came from people who had actually used this gear.

STRIP 2
1. A planned four-table display had shrunk to two on arrival with the Valiant MBC photos that I had measured up for and e-mailed after the last Aeroboot taking up the first two as planned, but we managed to get by after I cadged two camping tables and used my emergency one until the Sunday, when I used the two full-tables from Cold War Intercept. The Valiant photos drew a good deal of interest and special wooden base clamps worked a treat so more to come from them again I’m sure.

2. Vulcan B.2 AEO Power Supplies panel restoration in special carry box.

3. VC-10 fan Michael Eskriett had an impresssive fully-illuminated Victor K.1A co-pilots panel on display with a vast array of air pipes and electrical boxes and other electronic wizardry at the back. This was in addition to uniforms and other items, more of which later.

STRIP 3
1. As an unusual backdrop to his table Michael had four VC-10 interior window facades into which he had stripped scenes from the runway of Ascension Island during the Falklands campaign, a nice touch.

2. Bill O’Sullivan is transfixed by the overpowering majesty of the MS 5 liferaft display at Cold War Intercept.

3. A lovely flying model of Vulcan B.2 XJ824 which was put through its paces later in the day.

STRIP 4
1. Not sure if the Valiant model flew but a Victor one certainly did as per Blue2’s shots, wonder why airliner’s don’t use crescent wings today as Sir Fred certainly tried all he could to get a civilian version of the Victor into production with related savings but mandarins and politics ruined that one yet again, not to mention the military transport version which would have been far superior to the politically motivated and limited-run Short Belfast.

2. Great to see Vulcan author Craig Bulman attend again with his own stand with many photos on display.

3. ‘558 arrives to overfly the museum’s own Vulcan B2.

STRIP 5
1. V-Force helmet and oxygen mask as displayed by a former pilot in the V-Marquee.

2. Some of the 48 early Valiant Medium Bomber Course photos on display from the early 50’s onwards.

3. VC-10 fan Michael Eskriett also featured this powered Delco Carousel INS that I believe the Victors used as taken from VC-10’s during the Falklands War.

STRIP 6
1. The Avro people also had a desk full of excellent models that showed Avro’s presence in aviation from early days onwards.

2. Following the signatures I picked up on my XL190 door in 2010 the museum also began to get pilots to sign theirs also as collected by former V.A. member Darren Simons. These will no doubt grow in future and I was also pleased to get the signature of Bob Tuxford added to mine, who kindly obliged after I missed him at the last show.

3. Limited edition prints including those of a V nature were also on offer in the setting of Hangar 2.

STRIP 7
1-2. A beaut of a Vulcan engine panel hand-made (including the many guage mountings), with a lovely piece of carpentry and logo application to set it all off too – from the XM655 stand.

3. The rear of Michael Eskriett’s Victor panel shows the work and detail that has gone into making this a working exhibit, with a compressor, pump, and varying voltage power units for differing instruments amongst all the wiring and tubing. Mike feels he could do with some valves putting in the lines for the Pitot and Static but he’s just not sure yet where to get them from though he feels a good aquarium shop should have something he can use.

STRIP 8
1-3. ‘558 overflight of the museum interspersed by a ‘Cyberman’ air-ventilated suit Mk.2 as worn by V Force crews and others.

STRIP 9
1-2. Some people felt obliged to inspect at closer quarters the picture of a line-up of American lovelies gathered outside a 617 Sqn Vulcan during a visit to Pensacola in 1961 to celebrate 50 years of American Naval Aviation. That these ladies are now grandmothers (someone uncharitably said great-grandmothers) seems very hard to take on board when looking at such a parade. Some of those Vulcan pilots had certain hard taskings in the 60’s it seems in addition to the defence of the nation. From Shoreham Aeromart in March this year and another welcome addition to my V displays.

3. Bob Tuxford of XL189/Black Buck 1 fame was amongst many welcome V-Force personnel at the reunion.

4. BIG ‘V’ giro with advertorial for a forthcoming Victor book in its 60th anniversary year, with a Lincs shield from Vulcan B.2 XL388 “Mayflower II”.

STRIP 10
1. Some people are massively talented – a VC-10 image from Michael Eskriett’s table as cut out from a Conway turbofan blade, with inscribed detailing – how was that done then?

2. Meteor Lake, Newark Notts.

Hope that gives a flavour of the event and all tables were worth a look including the usual excellent displays and pics of the Vulcan XA903 stand. Here’s to the next one! 🙂

Very good GOK! The Vulcan panel has now been reunited with its neighbour by the way.
Ben it didn’t take long for Ali to spot 558 aloft, trust me… 😉

I may have told somebody when she was heading your way 🙂

I did wonder how NAM could afford the booking fee. it would cost a fortune to get XH558 to any event surely?

I believe it was in the area – rest assured that if NAM had booked it they would have let everyone know beforehand!

As it was, there was an influx of ‘temporary’ visitors once the social media scene kicked in after it took off from Doncaster – I also understand that the pilot may have mentioned something on 5-Live on Saturday morning.

Please stop it G1!! 😀

558 DISPLAY AT V REUNION, NEWARK NOTTS

IIRC – XM594 pretty much emptied on Saturday when ‘558 was finally confirmed as being in the area; but sadly it only did fly-bys and it did not fly over the museum site! 🙂

Are you sure?

saw this is a report somewhere…….“The familiarity of the Newark crowd with the usual Vulcan display routine of three singletons can be seen in this picture as they talk to one another about the forthcoming City-Manu clash and the cost of fuel. ‘558 is seen about to make its low pass before returning to undertake an opposition roll in conjunction with the large-scale flying model of XJ824 which is climbing at left to formate into position…..” 😀

re;

IIRC – XM594 pretty much emptied on Saturday when ‘558 was finally confirmed as being in the area; but sadly it only did fly-bys and it did not fly over the museum site!

Nevertheless ‘558 attracted a lot of attention – including lots of ‘temporary’ visitors on both the airfield, in NAM’s car parks and all along Drove Lane.

Glad to see we may have some more Cockpit-Fest visitors!! 🙂

I did wonder how NAM could afford the booking fee. it would cost a fortune to get XH558 to any event surely?

Great to meet some of Lindy’s crew even if I did have to fess up to sniping my Victor panel from them on eBay!!

As I said to you on Saturday- Grrrr!
😀

IIRC – XM594 pretty much emptied on Saturday when ‘558 was finally confirmed as being in the area; but sadly it only did fly-bys and it did not fly over the museum site!

Nevertheless ‘558 attracted a lot of attention – including lots of ‘temporary’ visitors on both the airfield, in NAM’s car parks and all along Drove Lane.

Glad to see we may have some more Cockpit-Fest visitors!! 🙂

re;

it must have been a hell of a thrill to sit in ‘594s cockpit while her sister screams overhead…

Just to echo that, it was a great weekend despite Sunday being ludicrously wet…on the upside the queue to visit 594’s cockpit was really short 🙂 and worth just to see 558 strutting her stuff.

Great to meet some of Lindy’s crew even if I did have to fess up to sniping my Victor panel from them on eBay!!

Looking forward to Cockpit Fest in June.

Cheers,

Mike – Panel Sniper

Sorry that I didn’t get the chance for a longer chat at the weekend…

No worries, I thought you’d be rushed off your feet!

but hopefully you got some good pointers to where the action was! 😉

Oh yes! ;):D

Are you coming down for Cockpit-Fest?

Hopefully, that’s the plan anyway.

Sorry that I didn’t get the chance for a longer chat at the weekend, but hopefully you got some good pointers to where the action was! 😉

Some nice pictures to remind everyone of the disappointing weather – another mini album of ‘558 flying shots was added to the museum gallery earlier today!!

Are you coming down for Cockpit-Fest?

Around 2.45 it was all eyes skyward looking for 558.
First sighting

If only I’d a little more zoom! (curse those power cables)

Reunion

Best of British

First pass

Wing wave

Topside

Back over her sister

And howling away, leaving her mark on the sky!!