IIRC the collection had a very chequered history. Certainly it was open in ’67 when I visited. I think it ran into various difficulties (including with Southend Council ?),closed was rebadged and reopened. It then finally fell apart in a very untidy manner in the early 80’s. The demise of Lincoln APRJ from Napier Icing Research was very sad. It was a familiar sight and sound over Luton in the mid to late 50’s, even getting to Farnborough for the ’61 show ( which caused a bit of smile even then.)

Well I’ve seen the film a few times and I think it’s pretty good, a bit slushy, but Peter Finch is cool as usual, and good for the time, the Japanese aren’t entirely dealt with as the b###### we are led to believe.The Radio Times only gave it 3 stars, question, why are Oz civil aircraft coded VH and not A?

Wasn’t it something to do historically with Vagabonds Haven?

Just a little comment, did any of these Spanish Buchons see any action anywhere or were their guns never fired in anger, I was thinking possibly revolution in Spanish colonies, my knowledge on Spanish colonialism is non existant, any answers?

They were operational in the Spanish Sahara (alongside Casa 211s amongst others) in the late 50’s to early 60’s in the Ifni war. This has been well reported now and I’m sure one of our Spanish correspondents can fill in with greater detail.
P.S. Incidentally to correct a hoary old error in translation that is oft repeated, ” Buchón ” does not actually mean “Pigeon” in Spanish (try “Paloma”). A very loose and somewhat inaccurate translation might be “Pigeon-chested”. According to one who flew it in service , it is actually derived from the noun “Buche” for a birds crop which when full would give that shape bulging shape like the lower merlin cowling.
(Reaches for gin bottle and falls off chair).

Ref Concorde 002:
The work started on Concorde 002 the day it arrived at Yeovilton and there was tremendous pressure to get the aircraft into public viewing condition internally ASAP after it was to be placed in the proposed hangar (then known as the Concorde Display Hangar).Thus an enormous amount was already done on the airframe over an extended period ,before it went under cover, by a largely volunteer team, (002 Sqn RIP ) with only the leader on the full time strength of the FAA Museum. The aircraft was the property of the Science Museum under the management of Margaret Weston and its placement at Yeovilton provided them with a much needed out station as well as being an additional attraction to the FAA Museum.

I remember seeing one (possibly two) stored at Booker in the late 1960s. I think one went to an ex BOAC pilot in Laleham, Middx. (Ronnie somebody???) I could have sworn that one ended up with Cole Palen at Old Rhinebeck but its not listed on their website.

I’m pretty sure one was in an unrigged state at Booker in early 1970 (about the time that the first ,ex Egyptian, Yak -11 in U.K. was being restored there to flying condition and had a split flap jack by memory.)

Wrong side of the atlantic Ithink, also other side of the channel 🙂