The Southend Short Belfast? (Merged)

Agreed! Nice pictures, but bad memories best forgotten!

Thank goodness the post was relevant.. For a minute there I was wondering why a 6 yr old thread was being dragged up! Excellent pictures.!

Just clearing out some old CDs and DVDs and came across these.

Just to let you all know. RP-C8020 (G-HLFT) is doing very well thanks to G-BEPS and has just completed a very successful flight delivering a helicopter to Australia.

Long may FT grace the skies:)

Its a pity that the work to save the nose were to no avail.
Six months ago it might have been the high value of scrap that influenced the scrap man’s ‘mistake’ but that cannot be said since the price of metal went down the pan.

Richard

Someone ****** up somewhere. I am rather annoyed – no that’s an understatement, I’m…

HeavyLift Cargo agreed that the cockpit section would be donated to a museum. The people responsible for scrapping the aircraft were informed of this decision. The North Essex Transport Group agreed to collect the section. They had transport arranged.

When I originally suggested that the cockpit section should or could be saved a lot of individuals who frequent this forum blasted me from all directions. But I decided to make a few more enquiries and was surprised that (a) the owners agreed to donate the section and that (b) a local transport group wanted the item, and now…

Was I right to sent all those emails (?) or…

I’m not a happy bunny…

I guess you should never, never count your chickens, until they’ve hatched and been strapped onto the back of a low-loader.

Philip, a number of us did question the viability of saving the whole aircraft, and equally congratulated you on your efforts to salvage something for preservation from the scrapping.

You did your best, and I can imagine the dis-appointment that the outcome was not as expected, but the outcome was to be full scrapping in anycase, your efforts at least gave everyone a heads up of the opportunity to recover the cockpit, and negotiated willingness of that outcome by the owner etc.

You did your bit, but the protagonists themselves need to take responsibility for project management, co-ordination and the success of any end outcome, not the spotter of the opportunity.

( and yes, the golden rule for any aircraft recovery, preservation, or any acquisition, “its not your’s until its safely in your backyard or own shed!”)

regards

Mark Pilkington

Well done to all those who at least tried.

I flew G-BEPs with HeavyLift. Last flight I did in her was 15 Nov 1997, Bahrain – Stansted, 12 hrs; we had started out on 09 Nov to go to Brunei – a helicopter for someone in the Royal family there (2nd such trip for the company). Other loads I experienced on PS included an engine for a B777 to JFK, collecting a satellite from Los Angeles to go to Canaveral – with an engine change there (& with our CAA Flt Ops Inspector on board!), military helicopters to Recife, & tonnes (& tonnes!) of Mr Erikson’s ‘phones from Stockholm to Amsterdam. Happy days.

You tried your best Phillip! Don’t beat yourself up over it as at least you were one of the group that got up from the pc and did something to try and save part of it.

It would appear the problem was a lack of communication or rather an incorrect email address (?). I also believe that it was considered likely that the aircraft would remain intact for another week. I can confirm that HeavyLift Cargo agreed to donate the section and that the North Essex Transport Group (who have experience in moving steam trains and carriages) wanted the same. Those responsible for scrapping the aircraft were aware of the situation, but there was a lack of communication (?), which might have been down to an incorrect email address and the assumption that the aircraft was safe for another week. I understand that transport was being prepared and space cleared in the North Essex Transport Group’s display hall. Well, at least an engine was saved, which is something.

And then there was two. Not sure what to say other than what I have written above. I should have double checked eveything with everyone. I guess the devil is in the detail.

Sorry…!

Phil Rhodes

In an age of put-downers (just look at T.V) thanks for your efforts in trying to save this Belfast and don’t beat yourself up at least you had drive and iniative sadly lacking today !

Someone ****** up somewhere. I am rather annoyed – no that’s an understatement, I’m…

HeavyLift Cargo agreed that the cockpit section would be donated to a museum. The people responsible for scrapping the aircraft were informed of this decision. The North Essex Transport Group agreed to collect the section. They had transport arranged.

When I originally suggested that the cockpit section should or could be saved a lot of individuals who frequent this forum blasted me from all directions. But I decided to make a few more enquiries and was surprised that (a) the owners agreed to donate the section and that (b) a local transport group wanted the item, and now…

Was I right to sent all those emails (?) or…

I’m not a happy bunny…

I guess you should never, never count your chickens, until they’ve hatched and been strapped onto the back of a low-loader.

What happened?!?! I thought the cockpit was going to be saved? It looks like it is being demolished along with the airframe.

Hello Everyone

What news the cockpit section of G-BEPS?

Doesn’t look promising:

🙁 the death of another great titan of the air…

Yesterday all I could see was the fuselage rocking side to side as the large craine chopped the wings in half, the cockpit was still attached then, however this morning all I could see was two lumps of fuselage left, i was unable to get to that side of the airfield today, so cannot confirm whats happened to the cockpit.

Philip – I thought you were co-ordinating this?

Hello Everyone

What news the cockpit section of G-BEPS?

I understand that the North Essex Transport Group have first refusal of this section, but does anyone know if this has been carefully removed or has been mashed up?

Regards

Phil Rhodes

P.S. An engine is going to Duxford, or so I am told.

I have just met the HeavyLift rep at G-BEPS for the last time. The machinery to start scrapping the aircraft is arriving on site later today and it is expected that the aircraft will be disposed of by the weekend:eek:
I have not been to the aircraft for a few weeks and was amazed at how quickly it was stripped of useful spares. A second container was all packed up ready to go, and as the rep said these goodies will help 8020 continue in service for a long time:D
It is very sad indeed.

Michael Northfield from the North Essex Transport Group phoned me this evening. They are still keen on securing the cockpit. They are arranging transport this week and hope to secure the aformentioned section soon. That said, I’m not counting my chickens…

Phil Rhodes

The cockpit section should be going to the North Essex Transport Group, while an expired engine is going to Duxford. That said, I haven’t heard from the North Essex Transport Group in the last ten days or so. They said they were 100% interested in the cockpit and were planning its removal to their base – some 40 miles from Southend (their chairman flew in G-BEPS in the RAF). I hope they haven’t changed their minds, because time is now not on my side…