The ongoing ramifications of the experience gained in returning 558 to flight status have yet to fully effect the preservation industry in the UK and I am certain that others are watching closely as it progresses, as for Victors, Buccaneers and Lightnings, I have long been puzzled by the way everyone is so quick too step up and say it cannot be done when in reality they should be asking themselves how it might be done, TVOC have shown that it can convince the CAA such a project is viable and sustainable it’s now up to others too take that experience gained and put it too good use.

Well I applaud the way you are thinking and its that kind of attitude that gets things done but by the same token thats also quite an innocent statement. The Buccaneer is on its way (fingers crossed), the Victor is more a case of finding one that has any life left in it and the Lightning? Well I guess by that statement you haven’t tried talking to the CAA about it. The people who have tried it have been very proffesional about it and I don’t think people should knock there efforts.

Ooo, that’ll upset Albert. 😀

I think its fair to say there arn’t many more bits that could actually be removed from her (that was when I last saw her a couple of weeks ago). I guess one of the guys there might be able to post some pictures. As for the condition of the airframe and its repair, thats a matter for the engineering company and the owners. If they wish to make a comment I’m sure they will. 🙂

Glad you had a good day Phil. Cracking photo’s. Hope the Prentice flight was ok as a few people mentioned it was a bit bumpy up there that day. Thanks for supporting Classic Flight. 🙂

My yes, a truely lovelly plane to fly, absolute delight. Unfortunately it seems that it doesn’t really interest people enough as its “just a cub” as I’ve been told on occasions. Its not pointy enough, not loud enough, not quick enough to keep people interested. However it is still a warbird, (or warbug more correctly).

The aim has always been to rebuild to an as “stock wartime” condition as possible, and indeed, we’ve got nearly all the period items we need. To keep this in the eyes of the fellow enthusiasts just helps keep the project going, and hopefully when its finished, the coverage I will try drum up will highlight the roles that his little plane did to those that are unaware.

It needs parts tho, and i can only spread the word a certain distance. It needs others to help pass on this info too.

FB

Cant help with the leg I’m afraid but just thought I’d mention that I will walk past a whole line of WW2 kids toys and go straight to a Cub – I love’um. I have been the butt of more than one comment at Duxford when I’ve hardly stirred during displays / arrivals of various warbirds (P51’s, Bearcat, Blenheim etc) only to then start jumping around in circles when a Cub or Chipmunk appears in the circuit. 😀

While this is good for a discussion it is of course totally impracticle in real life for some very obvious reasons. Firstly with the exception of the national collections all the aircraft are owned by individuals or groups and they are there’s to do with what they please, its not for us to tell them. People work at museums, collections or on there pride and joy because they like them. Try telling a museum that they must scrap there lovingly restored Hunter that there dedicated team of Hunter fans have spent years restoring in order to look after a rotten and corroded Varsity (for example) that happens to be the last of its sort and you wont get a pooling of resources you’ll get a loss of resources as everybody walks out of the door! At the end of the day the preservation movement exists on a survival of the fitest (or most liked / wanted) basis the same as everything else.

Out of interest how many rare airframes have dissappeared in the last 10 years and how many types have become extinct? There are definately some airframes out there on the ‘in danger’ list but some like the Drover are probably there because people wont sell them or want to much money for them, now that is another story!