Nothing too odd about that Dave, 51Sqn at Waddo operate the last 2 Nimrods for another month or so (even at weekends!)

C6

EN224 is the only one I’m aware of. Mark12 could give more detail, but Peter Arnold had the firewall and some bits combined with other Seafire XV parts and other Spit bits that were going into the restoration of EN224. I believe the EN224 project is with someone else now and under restoration.

I’d be curious as to what Spit XII the parts in Switzerland are from? I know that a couple of Spit XII crash sites have been investigated in France.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I’ve been wondering what happened to EN224 and wonder how the restoration is progressing?

I feel genuinely sorry for the grass roots guys who actually engineer these aircraft but have nothing but contempt for the people who decide that this is the most cost effective route to Maritime Reconnaisance. It seems ludricous to suggest that the way forward was to use old airframes in a re-engineered way and attempt to make them a modern aircraft. Procurement need their arses kicking until they bleed. Surely this must be proof (if it were needed) that buying off the American shelf would be cheaper. AND then give the aerospace workers a decent amount of dole money. WIN for the PUBLIC coffers, Win for the Forces, Win for yanks (who have a mega size industry) to keep developing stuff.

The awful fact of the matter is that we WASTE huge sums in development, and if the manufacturer and customer can’t sort their contracts BEFORE any metal gets cut, they shouldn’t start cutting.

It’s time the UK armed forces were streamlined from the TOP down. We are a shadow of our former selves both in size and global effectiveness.

Rant Ends.

I’ve had the privilege to ground run this aircraft (almost a decade ago now) and thought the whole experience was fantastic. Sadly owing to ever increasing work and life commitments, I’ve been unable to get over to 724 regularly. I’m an RAF Techie and have time for the engineers who look after 724, despite fairly limited resources. I helped with what I could at the time and head the tyres replaced and inflated the oleo’s. She looked a lot better after that and was much more fit for ground running.

She (724) is looking a bit glum judging by the pics, but she has been preserved remarkably well considering the harsh environment which she has to endure…even a warm summers day is cold at Binbrook!!

What the aircraft needs is a dry hangar (or even a dutch barn), and a couple (not all) of the enthusiastic amateurs who tend her need educating in the art of aircraft engineering. That said, the main players (in my day) seemed to be well aware of what was needed to maintain 724. I am very pro preservation of “live” aircraft, and wish her team well, but without the above, the rot(ting metal) will not stop.

I haven’t met Mr Ross (but we briefly chatted on the phone once), but to knock him on a public forum isn’t on. He’s done a fair old bit for Lightning preservation in it’s last home. What big contributions have you made Heading21?? Charles has extended an Olive branch, so why not take it?

Cheers all,
Kurt

Matt presented a very good point. We have so much to preserve in the UK, but forums like this abound with nay sayers and armchair enthusiasts. For those of you who have a profession in the UK aviation community please take a well earned pat on the back. For those who volunteer in the preservation or restoration of older aeroplanes, well done for your work. for all others, ask what more can I do other than type “here here” or ” no, no ,no” on an aviation forum. Some talk about it and others “do it”. Ask yourself, “Which camp am I in??”, and more fundamentally, “What more can I do?”.

Recently I met a man who gave up a well paid career, took a college course in aircraft engineering and went to work for a well known warbird restorer and operator. His income has been slashed since his change of direction, but there’s one thing I know for sure….and that his he doesn’t have time for forums like this, or for those who have opinions from the sidelines. This man had the courage of his convictions and did it. Some people who work with him read and occassionally contribute to the Key Forums, and I’m sure will know who Richard is…..

So, “Armchair Enthusiast”, what will YOU do to make a difference to YOUR avaition community? Will you sit and type at a computer or will you dare branch out and make a REAL difference to aviation in the UK?

Ta,
Kurt (RAF, Volunteer in Historic Aviation, Married, Child, etc etc)

Got some pictures somewhere; BBMF, the Vintage Pair, Queen’s Flight Wessex, Tornado F1 and GR3, Harrier GR3. The usual suspects for the period.

Regards

Oooh show us pics of the Tornado F1 and GR3, I’ve never heard of those.:diablo:

Not UK based anymore, but still a UK Phantom, XV470 in Akrotiri has deteriorated dramatically in the last 8 years. It had it’s fin repainted in 2002 and was complete minus it’s engines and now has missing radome, canopies and various other panels. The cockpits are less their seats, and the instrument panels and controls are missing. Corossion isn’t a big issue, but 470 isn’t cared for any more sadly.