Paul

I could ask the painters at my unit if you want, they should have the AP to hand…..

The 5 people to list their names on the thread can tag along, we can’t have a tribal visit, Noel, Chris and Simon T need not apply, you’re names are already on it! LOL,

Any questions email me?

[email]jwright237@hotmail.co.uk[/email]

1. My son Jakob
2. Me
3. Noel
4. Chris
5. Simon
and the rest ?

Also, Saltby, North Luffenham, Woolfox, Alconbury, Goxhill, and Coleby Grange are future visits, PERMISSION GRANTED.

Gingie, keep me posted on this one if you have space, it’s been a couple of years since I met up with Chris and Noel!

Cheers Mark

I’m always amazed, given the number of aircraft disposed of by the MoD, how difficult it is to find out about it. It’s almost like you’ve got to be in the know. I think alot of types are sold of en masse to certain agencies these days, see the Wessex thread.

Difficult to buy anything direct these days, there is line of dissused Landrovers here, they will all go to one outfit and I can’t even get a look in, years ago I could have probably paid into a tea bar or beer fund and been driving it the next day! The sad thing is, you just know the MoD are getting naff all for it and the agent is trying to make plenty from it!

DSA contracts Witham Specialist vehicles to sell their redundant vehicles and those beyond economical repair (BER) DSA get a guide to the vehicle condition and value from the disposing unit, and Withams I believe pay that to the MOD. Withams have a workshop and spray bay where they often overhaul the vehicles, thus increasing their value, but that is done at their time and expense.

As for aircraft, I believe DSA simply auction them off.

Pat, I think you already have any information that I may be able to share. Barry Tappenden is my father-in-law and he is the guy that i would have suggested you speak to – I see that has already been done!

Ted and his colleagues were an ordinary bunch of blokes doing an extraordinary job, the significance of which will never be forgotten. Project 65 will give them memorial they all deserve.

I am extremely proud of my link (however tenuous) to the events of that day, and ensure that my boys (Ted’s great grand-children) know all about it.

Best of luck

Mark B

I think it is XV497 which was moved in 2002 from Conningsby to Waddington.

The police car is actually a “Y” reg which would be from September 2001.

see this link

http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2002/xv497/xv497.htm

It is also a RAF Police car rather than a Lincolnshire Constabulary one.

Maybe that ruling was made after our exercise in 1997!

It didn’t stop them flying for the 2 weeks though so perhaps the FOD damage was only light.

Yes, of course, RB-45’s – that is what I meant. I have seen that pic before and of course Sculthorpe’s tower is in the background – quite unusual in design with the relatively small glasshouse on top.

Cheers,

Nick

We also operated from North Luffenham in 2003!

Manby is incredibly complete minus the runways, and that has been out of RAF hands for 30 years, Hemswell and Binbrook too are reasonably complete. Strubby and Goxhill are pretty good complete examples of WWII airfields.

If it’s after the 5th dec, i would love to come, unfortunately i am stuck in the middle east till then!