I’m afraid it was in the way, where it sat, making the movement of larger ac between hangars 3&4, more challenging. Like I said, there wasn’t a lot of support for it as turnover of personnel occurred, many don’t know the background. I’m appalled that folk were trying to sell bits off it! The bit that gripped me the most was when we had to trim the flap to be legal on the trip to Waddo.
You’ve got to admit it looks better than it did on arrival, and the paint has stayed shiney.
Also, the guys moving it for the Airshow over the years and putting punters in it didn’t get any pleasure or reward from the experience and I think that also may have contributed to the bad feeling from involvement with XR770.
The WO (who was my boss), told me in no uncertain terms that we wouldn’t be moving it, period, even though I offered to help.
It was a nice sight for nostalgic old fools like me, I saw it everyday from arrival to my departure from the RAF last year.
The only defense I can offer for not having done anything to maintain it, not that it needed much, was that there is simply no will to take the risk, all the techies are too busy working on frontline aircraft, and no knowledge outside of the techie sphere.
I hope to see XR770 in the future.
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