Varsity WF410

Ah Patrick, welcome to the forum 😀

When are you touring the UK ?

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After he’s finished tormenting the Hellenic Air Force again….:dev2:

Welcome Patrick, are you coming to visit us at TFC this time???

The cockpit is at Bruntingthorpe. Pictures on the BuccSociety website in the ‘New arrivals at Bruntingthorpe’ post.

Any further news on the cockpit? Was it saved?

Cheers,

Patrick

Ah Patrick, welcome to the forum 😀

When are you touring the UK ?

.

Any further news on the cockpit? Was it saved?

Cheers,

Patrick

According to a message on Air Britain Information Exchange, this Varsity was espied today dismantled (minus cockpit) at Booker. It was reported to be in transit , moving tomorrow to a location near to Leicester for scrap and that the cockpit is still at East Grinstead – if so possibly that element is due for preservation. If all is correctly reported then it’s a shame more could not be preserved – perhaps its condition and/or lack of tail surfaces might have sealed its fate.

Sold ?

On 14-Aug-07 at 17:37:13 BST, seller added the following information:

THE PLANE HAS SOLD DO NOT BID

Did it go to a good home ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vickers-Varsity-WF408-Aircraft-Aeroplane_W0QQitemZ120149612507QQihZ002QQcategoryZ32635QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have just had a quick glance at an old logbook and find that I flew WF410 twice at Gaydon in 1968. It was the first aircraft I flew after arriving on the unit, on 20 November 1968 and I flew it again on 9 December that year. It makes no further appearance in my logbook, either at Gaydon, Topcliffe or Finningley some years later.

exmpa

Ballykellybrat – that was a blast from the past – as an Aircraft Apprentice at RAF Locking I must have flown in one of those two! Perhaps piloted by your father!
Two things I will never forget were:
1. A “dive-bombing” attack on Lundy(?) island in the Bristol Channel, and
2. A touch-and-go at Yeovilton.
In both cases we were standing behind the pilots – no such thing as safety belts and in the pull-up from the “dive-bombing attack” we all sank to our knees with the “tremendous” G force – probably about 2G only, but it was for us sprogs our first taste of G.
Another aircraft at Weston that we flew in was a “birdcage” Anson, I remember.
Those were the days! (93rd Entry, 1959-1962)

WF408

1987
http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Viking%20Photographs.htm
1989
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0543422/L/

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/images/wf408.jpg

http://www.landair.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/wfu.htm

Martin

Varsity WF408

‘408 is an old friend of mine from the mid-1960’s. With WL641 they were from No 1 Radio School RAF Locking but based down the road at Weston super Mare. Both were heavily modified and had many of the electronic goodies found on front line aircraft e.g. ASV21 radar in the nose. The aircraft used to take radio apprentices & show them what all the electronic kit did in the air.I have about 50 hours in ‘408 – my dad was one of the pilots – so it was don the ATC uniform & fly with my old man in the summer holidays! The Varsity Flight moved to Cosford in about 1967 where they acquired pale blue spinners.
The flight was something of a private flying club and I’m banned from repeating all the stories – but ‘408 did once carry a goat as a passenger. Happy days – can’t imagine fun and games in todays cash strapped air force. 😀

bump.. its on ebay now.. i’ll have a pop at bidding on it if someone has a place for it.. lets try to save this bird!!

NEAM are considering her, but its unlikely so far to be fair. Too far away, not complete, and we have no where to put her! We don’t want a repeat of the Valleta incident, and can’t afford any new aircraft which need work. Sorry.

I hope someone can save her, as she is worth it.

Luke – this is the best website to advertise an aircraft such as the Varsity.
It’s not vastly valuable and scrap men tend to be a little wary of aircraft scrap. Be a little patient and someone will come up with a good use for her!.

Well ive had a few pms and I gave my no but no calls as of yet. You can contact me on 01342 870811, ask for luke jnr about the aircraft if im not there leave a message and I will call back.

As of value im not sure, I know the engines and the props are worth something, I hate to say it but the alloy is worth something for scrap.

I was thinking of advertising it on a aircraft sales website, does anyone know of a good one, thanks.

Hi

Ive been onto the chaps at the North East Aircraft museum who are interested and would like to know some details any chance you can send me a private message with a number i can ring for a chat about it?

cheers:)

damn Google Earth – out of date as usual….. :rolleyes:

eitherway, PM me regarding the varsity please lucasl

The helicopter you mean is the former RN HAS.3 which has been at Bournemouth Aviation Museum for about two years.

Is the helecopter (whirlwind?) still at the site? Is it for sale too? PM me

I hope someone manages to save this lovely aircraft, in the terrible event that it is disposed of, I wouldn’t mind purchasing both the seats. (Hopefully someone may even try to save the cockpit at least!)

spares?

If it is going for scrap, any chance of getting the two antennas from the nose?