At 14:30 (local) on 9 March 2005, Stuart Goldspink took Rearwin Cloudster G-EVLE on its first flight in 14 years. He was ably assisted by Hector the Goose who relinquished his place on the pitot head so that Stuart could use most of the available instruments.
The flight was four years, three months and nine days after the start of the rebuild. Four years, three months and nine days of hard work, worry, expense and cold lonely nights in a shed on a farm that would have been impossible to stand if it had not been for the help of Miss Kylie Minogue.
Mr Stove Pratterson of Kansas, near America, was four days early and therefore missed the flight. This does not matter as his wife fancies me.
The aeroplane performed well and flew for just over twenty minutes.
I called my mum while it was in the air and she asked if I was pleased. I told her I would be happier in about ten minutes. When she asked why, I told her it was because aeroplanes don’t tend to crash into the sky, and he still had to land! When he did land, Chris Thompson (the chap who was in the ‘tower’ ) told me that the landing was the one that all of mine would be judged against.
More flights soon and pictures when I feel like it. (I paid for this aeroplane – remember!).
It flew well.
Stuart was good.
The aeroplane looked good too
It was a good day.
Melv
By: Arm Waver - 14th March 2005 at 14:56
Congratulations Melvyn. You should be justifiably proud. Look forward to seeing her around..
OAW
By: Stieglitz - 14th March 2005 at 13:59
I think I’ll also say:
Congratulations Melv! A stunning accomplishment! A work to be proud of!
J.V.
By: dhfan - 14th March 2005 at 13:52
Spent the last five minutes trying to think of something witty. Failed dismally. No change there then.
So I’ll just say bloody well done Melv. 😀
I’m glad it wasn’t only me with a “wit-block”. 🙂
By: Arabella-Cox - 14th March 2005 at 13:45
Spent the last five minutes trying to think of something witty. Failed dismally. No change there then.
So I’ll just say bloody well done Melv. 😀
By: Chipmunk Carol - 14th March 2005 at 13:33
Growler: I hope Melv has checked out your website.
Melv:
Target 1: Aircraft complete: Check
Target 2: Aircraft flies: Check
Target 3: Melv flies the beast: TBC
So who is going to be in the hot seat down to Dunsfold?
Bravo dear boy!
By: Growler - 14th March 2005 at 13:15
Congratulations!
Melvyn,
My first post for a good few months due to the arrival of another mini-Growler, but having followed your “little” project both on the forum and on your website, I had to break my silence and offer hearty congratulations. You must be one very proud (not to say relieved!) man!
By: Swiss Mustangs - 14th March 2005 at 12:51
Well done Melvyn ! See you at La Ferté Alais !
Blue skies
Martin
By: Ashley - 14th March 2005 at 08:57
Well done Melvyn, I am really pleased for you 🙂 Just shows you what can be done when you put your mind to it! 🙂
By: paulc - 14th March 2005 at 07:06
Well done Melvyn – look forward to seeing fly at Popham sometime
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 13th March 2005 at 23:24
very well done. hope you get your flight soon.
K
Yup, so far I have only watched!
It makes a very nice noise.
Stuart told me it was a great big old puddin’
melv
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 13th March 2005 at 23:22
Melvyn,
Really chuffed for you. Looking forward to seeing it during the season.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
Well, Skybolt-Minor had quite a lot to do with it!
Melv
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 13th March 2005 at 23:20
Well done Mr Hiscock. Do we now start a separate thread on whether it is the correct shade of red (or vermillion)? 🙂
mmitch.
Oh, believe me it is. That is actually quite funny since I ordered the paint in October 2002 and it was finally delivered in June 2003. I am not a fan of Randolph paints!
By: topgun regect - 13th March 2005 at 22:22
Congratulations on a damn fine job well done, Melv. Looking forward to seeing it on the circuit this year. Hope all future flights go as well with happy landings
Martin
By: dodrums - 13th March 2005 at 21:22
very well done. hope you get your flight soon.
K
By: mmitch - 13th March 2005 at 21:05
Well done Mr Hiscock. Do we now start a separate thread on whether it is the correct shade of red (or vermillion)? 🙂
mmitch.
By: Archer - 13th March 2005 at 20:58
Congratulations on a job well done!
No time to sit back and enjoy though, get some more air under those wings!! 😉
By: Skybolt - 13th March 2005 at 19:31
Melvyn,
Really chuffed for you. Looking forward to seeing it during the season.
Cheers,
Trapper 69
By: merlin70 - 13th March 2005 at 19:25
Well done Mr H.
I guess the flying will be even more satisfying given all the hard work to restore her.
tc
By: turbo_NZ - 13th March 2005 at 18:09
Congrats, like what they’ve all said but with conviction and meaningfuls 😉
TNZ
By: stringbag - 13th March 2005 at 15:20
Congratulations on the first flight!
Sign In
March 13, 2005 at 12:16 am