Now if someone started a rumour that the bunker was stacked out with crates of ‘Bundy’, sure it would get opened up in record time!

..difficult to find the stuff in the UK, I drink it neat..just a drop of ice perhaps.

Cheers..Chumpy.

…..sounds like a nice place!

[QUOTE=avion ancien;1224377]Well I’ll be b******d. It’s a bit like London buses – none for ages and then three come along together!

…Yes bloody annoying things buses!!

I thought the water bomber version was called Firemaster, but it was a long time ago.
Your time and trouble, comments and observations much appreciated.
Be lucky
David[/QUOTE]

Hi there,
I do not think the ‘Firemaster’ was ever adopted as an offcial title. Looking at an old 1984 NDN press release for the scoop system, the aircraft is still referred to as the Fieldmaster.

Seem to recall at the time hearing a story that the scoop was yanked off during early ‘scooping’ trials…..Someone not quite getting the stress calcs correct or so the story goes!

Attached is a G/A of the firebomber installation.

Cheers, Chumpy.

without wishing to be rude, you seem to have a funny view of the current aircraft industry.
to listen to you it would be easy to believe that there’s no one out there that can rivet, wheel a skin or do much in the way of structures. .

Hi Bloodnok,
I hear what you say, yes I fully agree with you that there are still pockets of skill and excellence within the UK. These as mentioned by yourself and others mainly within the airline maintenance / G.A, sector, these days…long may this continue.

My comments really relate to the former UK aircraft manufacturing industry, I think there can be no doubt about the current status of this, (badly in need of restoration)
My rather pessimistic view comes from what I see around me, Fournier Boys ‘case book’ sums things up pretty well in my opinion.

So in an attempt to be more positive, for those still keen to get involved in old aircraft go west young man…many more opportunities in the USA.

Chumpy.

Not sure about the mag…here is the 2 seater!

Worthy stuff indeed and again I do not want to be negative, but such a card would be pretty worthless to anyone looking to take on a skilled engineer, if this was your only qualification.

A good starting point but that would indicate a positive attitude, alas most of the companies involved in restoration call it what you will, have scant resources to carry out training so that a young ‘un can build his skills base. A very sad state of affairs that does not bode well for the long term future of the industry.

Another factor mentioned by LL regarding old time Brit AGS, B.A. bolts / SP rivets etc, in particular the dwindling supply of such stuff. Ultimatley it will all be gone, unless some rich guy wants to finance the remanufacture of such stuff…loads of money!

Chumpy.

Further South on the coast is thesite where the V3 was to be lauched. Spitfire N3200 was also reported to be in store at the museum there although I never got to dsee evidence of that.

The V3 was never completed fortunately as it was a gun not dissimilar to the Iraqi supergun. Its target was to be London.

The V3 site at Mimoyecques…very atmospheric / spooky place, the upper galleries and tunnels remain intact. However below are many collapsed levels, still with many hundreds entombed when the site was bombed in 1944.

The attached shots taken during the recovery of Spit N3200 a few years back. Wet, dark and muddy in the gallery where the Spit was stored, luckily the tunnels are large so we could drive the van in and get loaded.. was glad to get out!

Despite all this worth a visit if you are passing by.

Chumpy.