XM172Well done to Neil and all the ‘crew’ who have helped us both turn this dream into a reality! It’s not over yet! XM172 is almost home, but not quite…..but she’ll get there….of that we’ve no doubt……..thanks for everyones support, Neil and I really do appreciate all your efforts and encouragement……..thanks again Heather 🙂
XM172XM172 safely at greenodd in storage
Hello All,
Just to report back that XM172 is now safe up in Greenodd having travelled north through the night … i have lots of pics of her at various stages and will just have to set up a website for her.
Barry parkhouse did a truely STIRLING job as we worked together over these last 2 days. He came highly recommended and deserves that reputation in this instance….i fully concur!
So, some good pictures there by you guys…. nice one and may i use them?
I will post mine soon but for now, im off to bed having been up and on the move more hours that im prepared to say.
THANKS for all the support out there and yes, i guess i do have a fairly big job on my hands. All i need is the time but alas, http://www.huey.co.uk is going to take up my time for the next 4 weeks …she will be flying at Redhill over 8th/9th/10th May at Redhill as we do our CAA type ratings in prep for this years Air Show season.
Cheers to all and im going to have a beer tonight to celebrate!
Fly safe, Neil
XM172XM172 moving this week
Hello all,
Just to let you know that i will be moving Lightning XM172 from Booker this comming Thursday/Friday! She is in the process of being broken down for transport (ie tips and tail off)
My plan is for her to be loaded by crane onto Barry Parkhouse’s transporter sometime Thursday afternoon with a view to a night time move up the M40/M6 during the early hours arriving in Greenodd, Cumbria around dawn!
All seems to be in place and the count down clock is ticking.
Once at Greenodd, she will be stored there until my planning application is either accepted or rejected. The date given for that is towards the end of May!
So, for all you kind souls out there offering me your support by letter writting to the Chief Planning Officer, LDNPA, Murley Moss, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 7RL, application number 7/2006/5142 … a BIG THANK YOU !! I didnt think of supplying you out there with the Planning Officers email address! How silly of me not to do so!! So, here it is : [email]planning@lake-district.gov.uk[/email]
Should you spread the word, then id be MOST grateful for as much support as i can get.
I will post more details soon …meanwhile, THANKS EVERSO all
Fly Safe, Neil
XM172Hello all,
Following on this thread, there is an ex SAR Wessex parked in the bottom of Capenwray Diving Centre up near Lancaster and a ‘Green’ Wessex of some sort outside Formby Range contol headquarters … by chance im investigating the posibility of purchasing this Formby machine SHOULD it come up for sale! If it does and im lucky, she will be going to the Walney Aviation Heritage Trust museum …. watch this space!
The Wessex is ‘Queen of the Skies’ says he with 1400 hrs on type kind courtesy of 72 Sqn RAF…
Fly Safe All …Neil
XM172Refering to 7A2’s comment above … NOT SO!
My planning permission application is ongoing and has not been approved yet and there is a CHANCE it may not be …. it is ongoing as i have said all along and if i were a betting man, its 60/40 IN Favour at the moment.
The reason im having to take a leap of faith has been forced up on me… The Director of Booker has given me an ultimatum to have XM172 off site by 21st April or he will bring in the demolition men to remove it in bits … apparently there is an ongoing issue between him and Barry Parkhouse and i just happen to be in the crossfire and am trying to save this Lightning … as i have stressed before, it could all go crash and im NOT in clear waters.
Should anyone out there spare me a thought and wish to support my cause, then a letter of support for my project to The Chief Planning Officer, Lake District National Park Authority, Murley Moss, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 7Rl regarding application 7/2006/5142 wouldnt go a miss!
XM172 will be moving into storage in a holding facility near my place up in the Lakes … as ive said, i will keep you posted as to when, where and what develops…
THANKS for all the support im getting …more please (in writing)..
Fly Safe, Neil
XM172BIG THANKS to all of you out there for your support and comments…. as for BIGVERN’s side profile of XM172….WOW, doesnt she look good in those colours! Nice one!
I have to say that i am planning to repaint her in 145 Sqn markings with the red and white tail … only because its half way there already … and the Firebirds is a bit ‘bright’ and would need lots of paint….. (and time).
I will be bringing her up to a good standard over this summer so watch this space…. and for updates on the impending move … Fly safe…Neil
XM172Thanks to Jetstream man and Wildcat for their input …
Glad to report that i MAY have found a close in option ‘up’t north’ and will be investigating XM172 being a temporary resident of a storage compound at Greenodd, near Ulverston. I will be having a site recce tommorrow : 7th April. Its another small Cumbrian village not far from my final proposed destination so that sounds encouraging!
Meantime, my contacts in BAE at Barrow are on side with possible options within the yard, and inform me that i cant get a 14ft wide load thru Scales Village just on the outskirts of Walney Airfield …My Backup ….. If that option needs to be taken, then i guess its a wing off and some VERY careful loading on a trailer!!
As for temporarily parking her under Concorde’s wing at Manchester (only kidding)… i like that idea jetstream Man …. who do i need to contact to mull that option over with please?
So, thats the state of play today with the clock ticking, THANKS for the comeback … Fly Safe, Neil
XM172Thanks Wildcat. By chance, im off to see the Warton Heritage sages soon, hopefully this thursday comming…. XM172 will be raised of course but im not expecting much from them as their ‘facilities’ are already bursting at the seams with heritage stuff and the airfield is fairly packed with trade …. it was when i last looked down on them 2 hrs ago!
Cheers, Neil
XM172Hello All,
Time for an update regarding Lightning XM172 at Booker.
You may be aware that im trying to saveguard this machine by moving it up’t north to my place in the Lake District. So far im getting good feedback and positive indications with regards to my planning application from the Lake District National Park Authority and would welcome any letters of support sent to the Chief Planning Officer, LDNPA, Murley Moss, Kendal, Cumbria. Im going along the line of XM172 being the FIRST F1a to enter service and being ONE of only 4 complete airframes remaining world wide…bit of a North West Heritage angle as well as being a piece of aviation history saved for posterity! You know where im comming from here! ….and its the TRUTH!
Ive been informed by The Director at Booker, that i need to have her off site by 16th April and therefore, im looking at a move within the next 12 days. I really DONT want to move her twice but i feel im being given no choice.
My planning permission will go one way or the other in 6 to 7 weeks time so im looking for a temporary home for her…. anyone out there got any ideas or sensible offers?
Obviously im looking to move northwards and into a secure environment. Should my planning permission in the Lakes fail and Walney Museum is still only on paper, i have to explore options. Is there any other museum/facility interested in being a surrogate mother for XM172 for a couple of days/months/years? If so, id be interested to hear from you …
My final option is to move her north and split her into bits for storage until Walney is up and able to receive her …. Thats it ladies and gentlemen, from the horses mouth, where i stand right now on 4th April.
As i have intimated previously, its not clear waters yet but im swimming hard.
Thanks to all those who have sent me emails of support,offers of help and advice..keep them comming please, it all helps.
Cheers all,
Fly Safe, Neil
XM172Hello all,
Wonder if anyone out there can help me find a Firestreak missile or two for my Lightning nose/cockpit? Im here because Javelin’s were the first to sport them were they not!
Thanks , Neil
XM172Wow !!!! …great shots indeed … thanks for sharing them …
XM172Hello all and SPEY111,
just to say that the Lightning nose XS932 at FAST is going to stay there for the time being … ultimately im looking to move it up to the new museum at Walney Aviation Heritage Trust once it is in a state to receive it …. buiding of the site hasnt even started yet …SO, i anticipate it remaining where it is for this season at least kind courtesy of the Director of FAST Ltd…. Cheers all, Neil
Caption : ‘hang on til somebody comes!!!’……. sorry!
XM172Just heard that the Canberra outside Salmesbury gate is up for grabs … anyone interested or know any more on this ??? ……. it came to me via an BAE source…
XM172Yes i can reveal where up’t North is and im sorry i didnt mean to appear evasive.. .. Im in the process of going through ‘Planning Permission’ with the Lake District National Park Authority with a view to XM172 residing in Spark Bridge, Near Ulverston, South Cumbria. I held a public meeting last night (17th) with all my local residents and seem to have overwhelming local support with my relocation venture.
Letters of support would be VERY welcome and may help!!! My planning application is 7/2006/5142, dated 8 Mar 06….Lets see what comes out of the planning board!
I need to make it clear that XM172 is under threat at Booker and i am going at full speed to move her before anything ‘untoward’ happens to her !!
Barry Parkhouse has sold her to me and we are jointly looking at moving her ASAP. There are cost implications and where to go in the meantime as a move like this is not plain sailing. As i have intimated before, it could all go ‘crash’ with little warning so, with my ear to the ground, im on with this as fast as i can go!
Fly safe, Neil
XM172Hello all, yes it is XM172 there. Im in the process of going through ‘planning permission’ with a view to moving her from Booker to a new home up in the Lake District. She is presently under threat and in real danger of being scrapped by a ‘third party’ so Barry Parkhouse has sold her to me with a view to getting her away from Booker ASAP…. its by NO MEANS clear sailing or set in concrete just yet …. im working as fast as i can …
Ive gone public with this info on a different thread (XM172) along with notifying the Lightning Assn webmaster and other mainstream Lightning websites. Take a look and let me know what you think of my cunning plan!
Fly safe, Neil
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