Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

The machine at London Colney (Mosquito Aircraft Museum) is a Cierva C.24. The is no connection with this machine and Spain. She is on display at London Colney – the machine built in Spain is a Cierva C.30
powered by a Siemens engine (ex Jungmeister).

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

I started going to airshows in the mid-eighties so also missed seeing VK on the circuit. I did not catch any mention of whether it would be on the circuit this year or only out for special/private occasions. Would be nice to see it.
I believe the Cierva in Spain was one restored by the folks at the DH Mosquito Museum, London Colney.

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

Mike – neither of the machine’s you mention are in Spain. Shuttleworth sold their machine to Kermit Weeks and the RAFM still have their’s. The RAFM gained a CASA built Bucker Jungmann in exchange
for a rotorhead and other components from a Avro C.30 which went to Spain to help with an airworthy ‘new build’ gyro.

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

Moggy, you are not alone in thinking that ‘Salvage Squad’ is a bit of a fix-the forum for the show is filled almost totally with comments from people who, for example, know how impossible it is to do half of what they are supposed to do in several weeks, let alone two!

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

It’s funny you should say that Moggy…I was racking my brains last night to think if I was and unfortunately I don’t think I was…I’m pretty sure I would have remembered seeing something like that if I had been 🙂

My fiance’s father very kindly gave me some photos he had taken at some airshows he had been to in the early 1980s and some of VK in her BA livery are amongst them…I didn’t really know what VK was until last night’s programme so it was nice to learn a bit more…incidentially these photos include some fantastic shots of a Vulcan but I can’t see the serial number to identify the aircraft 🙁

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

Having once seen a gyrocopter/plane plummet to earth from about 150 feet up with somewhat more serious repercussions for the driver than were mentioned on last night programme I’d be a little cautious.

I think that they are pussycats to fly as long as you remember the golden rule NO NEGATIVE G

If you attempt a bunt, then the rotor thing slices off the tail thing, bits of rotor fly an impression of a Red arrows bomburst and a world of pain opens up for the pilot.

In truth probably no more serious than spinning-in a conventional aircraft through not watching your speed on finals.

Thing about the programme was what a nonsense it was calling it a ‘restoration’. A couple of wheels, some minor bits and pieces remained from the original. The rest was new build. Plus an embarrassing failure of the engine overhaul.

Hmm.

I’d have flown in the back of the 2 seater with W/c Wallis though. No problem

Moggy C

Were you there that day Ashley?

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

I stumbled upon the programme by chance and thought it was very interesting…

Mike…we also have a Cierva autogyro in RAF colours on display here at Duxford…it is true that much of the autogyro squadrons’ work was secret…I believe the squadrons were given inauspicious titles like “No5 Photography Unit”!

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

It turned out to be quite an interesting programme. The Gyro-Plane squadron was obviously a very well kept secret, although I’ve seen references to the example in the Helicopter Museum mentioned before. So someone must have researched its history.
I’m surprised that the Gyro-plane isn’t more popular. It seems to be a relatively cheap way to get flying. They seemed to be popular after the 007 film, but seemed to have died off. Has the powered hanglider taken over from it, or were they too difficult to fly?? That can’t be the case if they can be flown hands and feet off the controls!!!
And as for Ken Wallis, well I hope I’m that sprightly at 85!!!