What Important Airframes Might Be Lost In 2008?

Incidentally, it is worth recording that the problems came from within the museum movement last year. The scrappings at Cosford are a prime example. If Jon had not saved the Prince at the last moment, that would have also been a victim (albeit it would have survived, just not in the same shape!).

Bruce

You should know Bruce that the scrappings at Cosford were the result of Corporate decisions taken by BA, and had nothing to do with the Museum/Preservation movement.

As mentioned before their are a few aircaraft on fire dumps in the UK, locally a former US RAF phantom at manston that had recorded kills in vietnam.

Does anyone have any info about a de-havilland twin prop, a devon or dove or something(sorry not my area) that used to be dumped at the edge of staverton airfield near gloucester, for years whilst visiting my sister i went and had a look whilst dog walking, it got in worse and worser state, then i didn’t go for years and now it seems to be gone(might just be hiding behind the new security fence!) seemed such a shame, that such a classic was left out to die

Staverton

My biggest worry is the Meteor T.7 Vulcan nose, Vampire ,etc etc, stored outside near Dowtys in gloucestershire
I wondered is there any news about these poor airframes, it is such a shame that the Jet age Museum are in dificulties, especailly with such a rich collection,
but it seems to me that these airframes have been through no fault of the individual owners left outside,
as for the Meteor,T.7 she is my favourite and when westonzoyland starts properly the Meteor T.7 would be at the TOP of our wish list , as they flew for so many years from zoyland with 12FTS, and also quite a few aircraft were lost in the area that were from 12 FTS ,
I doubt very much though when the time comes that there would be “Any” T.7s left that we could static restore because they are just so desirable,
20 years ago maybe but now so many 50s aircraft are getting rare or nearly as rare as 1940s aircraft, and seeing these aircraft are over 50 years old in most cases , is it any wonder none are left,
But it not just Aquirring them , its the funding, the jigs , tools, manpower, transportation,storage, this can be a nightmare, and sadly i also see the HSE and safety issues with some museums when the aircraft have been outside for many years, they become dangerous to the public,
we have all ready seen museums suffer with the “Rules” on Instruments which have Radium radioactive paint , which is my speciality as i am a radiograher, and frankly from a professional point of view it is all tosh , unless you Licked and digested the paint there is no risk to public health, you would hav to be sat in a cockpit for 10 years continueus to get any kind of radiation dose,
that might be detremental to health, it is utter tosh and just more paperwork,
it is sad that our govt, and lottery dont Value every one in the UKs heritage.
if it was a art centre for the blind, they would pump 10000s into it, but it seems our current govt are ashamed of our very colourful past,
until they change there aptitude, i worry that more small museums will one day come under the knife of modernisation and change, be it land ,scrap value, ,logistics, or plain and simple Cash to keep going ,:(

Here she (G-BEJD) is today being towed back to the hanger with the rumour she is going to be rebuilt.

Oh thats good news – at least she isnt being left to rot.

Will have to get onto our ex Emerald members and see what info they can gleam!

Jon

I agree with Bruce.

I think it is worth noting that most of the losses come from within the preservation movement these days – certainly in the UK there simply are no historic aircraft left lying in scrap yards now.

There is one other aircraft I have just thought of – the sole remaining HS748 mk1…. currently at Blackpool, within a company in administration…although I am trying to get hold of it.

Falklands veteran Harriers and Gulf veteran Jags are probably the only ‘modern’ aircraft to become endangered.

Here she (G-BEJD) is today being towed back to the hanger with the rumour she is going to be rebuilt.

2 B-47s including a stand off version

?
B-47s did not have a stand off capability. One was tested with the Bell Rascal AGM, but it was never operational. Is it one of the test birds?

Also, I believe there is an (R?)B-47 at Edwards…though I’ve read that it (and the B-58) were headed to the AFFTC musuem.

Speaking of target ranges…Wonder that they have at Aberdeen, MD.
Several ex-USGC HH-52s (S-62s) were sent there.

Also, with the reported closing of Chandler Memorial in Arizona, a field full of H-19s (S-55/Whirlwinds)…

The C-133 at Tucson IAP, and I’d guess that the sole operational C-133 in Alaska is always under threat.

Bruce,

The B58 is actually a rare reccon version and yes most of the parts of it are near her.

As for a list well here is one I came up with off the top of my head for the States,

Located at NAS China Lakes East Ranges,

3 Straight Wing F-84 including the oldest F-84 a C model
5 FJs
1 B-29
2 PB4Ys ex Mother Ships for the F6F Drones
14 F6Fs Drones

Located at NAS Fallon

1 AJ-1
2 AJ-2
12-16 F-86 most of these are b and c models
2 B-47s including a stand off version
5 F9F
3 F11

Located at Edwards White Hot Range North

1 B-58
5 B-52 A and B Models
6 C-46 including a 23rd FS bird
`5-25 P-80/T-33 there is at least 3 P-80A still on this range and 4 T-33A with the duel 50 nose set up

But if you ask either the US Navy or US Air Force they will say what are you talking about:D

I think every museum should have a good cafe/shop . Too many museums fail in this respect – it’s an income stream which helps pay for the preservation bit.

Ours is invaluble during the winter months feeding the footballers on the adjacent pitch

I think every museum should have a good cafe/shop . Too many museums fail in this respect – it’s an income stream which helps pay for the preservation bit.

Yeah, like a coffee shop or somethin.. :rolleyes:

We’re working on that one……. 😀

Yeah, like a coffee shop or somethin.. :rolleyes:

A difficult call, especially when a café might not seem to be truly “aircraft orientated” – but it could help provide a healthy long-term revenue stream to help save an aircraft!!:eek:

Lindy – In all fairness does the museum need to preserve the F-100 in the long term ? It’s not an aircraft that is in danger in the U.K in terms of numbers . Could the space be used to house something else ?

Yeah, like a coffee shop or somethin.. :rolleyes:

I will ask the question. I know that they are not being used – perhaps in exchange for some publicity…..? What else is on your HS125 list of wants?….

Publicity we can do – no problem!

There are some other requirements, including some fuselage structure that supports the radome, for G-ARYA, the first prototype (another long term project!)

I’ll have a word with the guys doing the job.

Bruce

Lindy – In all fairness does the museum need to preserve the F-100 in the long term ? It’s not an aircraft that is in danger in the U.K in terms of numbers . Could the space be used to house something else ?

Can they be acquired?

I need a set for G-ARYC, to cover the very nice set of engines we had donated last year.

Bruce

I will ask the question. I know that they are not being used – perhaps in exchange for some publicity…..? What else is on your HS125 list of wants?….

Can they be acquired?

I need a set for G-ARYC, to cover the very nice set of engines we had donated last year.

Bruce

Dead as in gone, or dead as in knackered?

If the latter, does it still have cowlings with it?

Bruce

dead as in lying in a puddle of water in 3 sections…… Cowlings are complete and stored off the aircraft (indoors)………:D

The HS125 at the same location is officially dead. Sorry.

Dead as in gone, or dead as in knackered?

If the latter, does it still have cowlings with it?

Bruce

IMHO the NAHR is very much “on topic” as one of its uses is to act as reference point for airframes that move into ‘danger’ either through a group’s demise or through airframes being offered for sale overseas.

As for BAPC, it is my personal belief that they should be shouting the merits of the NAHR at every opportunity.

With regard to NEAM’s F100 – I understood that your ‘chair’ had come to some agreement re a ‘rolling wing exchange and repair programme!’

Quite right… on all counts. I am a firm supporter of the BAPC and its activities, and as such actively promote it whenever possible.

Re F100, HN is looking into (rather deeply) the prospects of getting the repairs / replacemets sorted out… for now though, the aircraft is in real danger.

Another one in danger (not yet, but soon) is the Boeing 737-200 C-GWJO at Newcastle Airport. It is maintained well, but unless a roof is built over it, it will die eventually. The HS125 at the same location is officially dead. Sorry.

Incidentally, it is worth recording that the problems came from within the museum movement last year. The scrappings at Cosford are a prime example. If Jon had not saved the Prince at the last moment, that would have also been a victim (albeit it would have survived, just not in the same shape!).

Bruce

The problems at Cosford are a prime example of the museum movement coming together and doing what they can afford to do, given the limited funds at their disposal. British Airways were content to let all the aircraft be scrapped until the rest of the museum movement refused to allow it and took on what they were able to afford. Sadly, there were still some that “got away” and they are now lost forever.
The biggest problem facing the museum movement at the moment is lack of proper funding.