Sadly he doesn’t do himself any favours by stating, “One of only three runways capable of taking the A380”. Did he mean one of only three in or around Bristol?

Now, having set the hook in the first story, the Air Force Times (which is published by a private company, not the US government) can run a series of follow-on articles, following the “story” of “the unraveling of the mystery” – where if they had just written what is easily available, there would be only the one not-very-interesting story.

A valid point, well made.

How strange: they removed most ‘original parts’ but leave a table with grease pencil writing which confirms the serial number and crew names for a particular flight that took place some years before its demise.

Anyone else confused by that?

Confused more by what is new about any of this? It’s been known to be 44-83905 for a loooong time and the circumstances of its current location too (landing gear failed on landing, 7th April 1956, beyond economical repair, for use as ditching trainer).

So unless I missed something that contradicts this, I don’t really understand what the story is telling us, other than that people up there seem to have very short memories!

Sad to hear, but did it say when it would close?

Used to have one at Halton – R-R gift to the RAF. We used it for piston-engine ground running and loved the warm, comfy leather interior after cold, draughty and smelly Argosies!

But the again, we also used to drool over foot-long Ginsters sausage rolls from the NAAFI wagon. Times (and perspectives) have changed.

How about a day out to the National Archives? It’s free once you get there, and there is always more to look at once you start looking!

I didn’t even realize that it had been re assembled. No chance of it flying I suppose ?
Too politically sensitive, even it it were airworthy ?

NASM don’t fly their aircraft. In any case I’d hope they’d focus resources on getting the Silver Hills aircraft into public display!

April 1992 was the first flight in the UK – so 22+ years in total (albeit it didn’t fly in 2014). I was only 3 at the time (!) and some of my earliest airshow memories involve the aircraft. I do wonder if a fair few took it for granted, given that it was such a staple of British airshows, particularly at Duxford – a case, perhaps, of not fully appreciating what you have until it’s gone? Maybe I’m wrong.

That makes me feel old!

In my case I appreciated it every time I saw it: first, before it had been fully assembled at Bournemouth, and then once it was airworthy there. I was lucky to sit in her a few times and monitor the great work being done on her cockpit, wheel wells, landing gear and speed brakes. Gradually ‘178 was being returned to better-than-new condition, and for me the real shame is not seeing that to its conclusion.

But on the subject of taking things for granted, I do agree in other cases: I saw Haydon-Baillie’s T-33(s?), the RNHF Sea Hawk and the Vintage Pair countless times and got precious few photos or memories of them because they seemed a common sight – at the time.

Are Martin Baker’s Meteor pair still flying?