Gentlemen,

Can I just remind you all that the background to this thread is that a 4 year old girl has disappeared, fate unknown?

Please stay on topic, and save the mutual intercontinental points-scoring for another time.

Thanks

GA

thankyou for that interjection:cool:

Though i do like the old Fergies give me a Fordson anyday… Half way through restoring my 1956 Diesel Major at the momment. 😀

is that a TVO model that started on petrol then switched to paraffin when warmed up i liked the blue body and orange wheels livery is yours this configuration ?:cool: 😎

Not long after “Airline ” was screened in the Spring of 1982 an article appeared inthe “Sunday Express” ( I think) which revealed that Wilfrid Greatorex was very displeased at changes that were made to his scripts. This lead to Greatorex asking for his name to be removed from some scripts and for 4 planned episodes of the first series to be scrapped.

Around this time “Flypast” reported that a Constellation and a Bristol Freighter had been sourced for the second series. Then another newspaper article appeared which claimed that Yorkshire TV had scrapped the second series. I don’t remember any reason being given but I would guess that Greatorex’s difficult relationship with them was part of the problem.

Wilfrid Greatorex died some years ago but it is possible that his estate is blocking release of “Airline” on DVD. It has been said that Graham Williams’ estate is similarly blocking the release of “Target” (BBC TV 1977-78.

Colin

fascinating information,typical of Tv companies interfering with an original storyline,i have read both “airline” books and remembered Ruskin bought a Connie to expand his fleet etc ,didnt know about the “target” saga either thanks very much.:cool: 😎

I think there are two problems here;

First, the Halifax was always the poor relation when these aircraft were being operated. To some degree this has continued down the years. There are, for example far less books on the Hali than the Lanc.

Secondly, the fact that no Halifax made it through to preservation in complete form has served to perpetuate the problem. I am certain that both our national museums would cherish a complete Halifax; its just that there are none to be had.

With regard to W1048’s restoration, we should agree to disagree! We are too far apart to agree on its future!

And as for the Stirling; well there has been a strong rumour of a survivor (not in China) for years. Time will tell!

Bruce

a status quo 😎 😎

I fail to see what the CWH or the CAF have to do with it.

My point, at its most basic, is that if you restore this aircraft to the point where it can bear its own weight once more, and support its engines, you will replace a significant part of the structure with new build, thus compromising its historical integrity.

I do know that RAFM have an ongoing conservation programme for the aircraft, and it is being worked on whilst it is on display.

Don’t get me wrong – I would love to see a properly restored Halifax in the UK. This is not the aircraft to start with.

I wholly disagree with your ‘its not a Lancaster’ stance. No professional museum can afford to act in such a manner. If the museum I represent thought like that, we would ditch all the aircraft that weren’t Mosquito’s!

I have, incidentally worked for professional restoration companies for the past 16 years, and have been involved in the preservation movement for 20.

Bruce

thankyou for your comments ,over the years ive spoken to many informed people about the “its not a Lancaster” attitude its very much to the fore,(weather you choose to recognise it or not) a case of seen but not heard,incidentally ive no truck with lanc minded people at all ,however, the fact remains most individuals know that aircraft better than the Halifax thats fact and key to why W stays as she is caught up in a host of politics and policies(dont forget only one thats one halifax VC) with scant thought for the guys who flew the Halifax night in night out which is what that Halifax represents and the one at CWH, for the record ive been a hands on restorer/aviation archeologist/researcher since the early seventies, other countries are justly proud of their aviation heritage,in this country we are more selective with our aviation pride( that is also true of our attitude towards historic buildings which we tend to demolish then rue the day we did )thats why no intact Stirling exsists ,the first true four engine bomber initially designed as such but thats for another thread,:cool: 😎 😎

The Dakota which was blown up at the end of episode 1 came from Glasgow Airport where it had been used for training fire crews. The Dakota was not complete and a fake tail section made of cardboard had to be fitted.

The series was repeated on satellite TV in the early 90s but has never been released on DVD. I think the reason is because creator Wilfred Greatorex was involved in a dispute with Yorkshire TV over the series and this is the reason why only 9 episodes out of the planned 13 were made for the first series and a planned second series was scrapped.

Colin

thankyou very much for the info colin,interesting to know where the crash dak was located from and also the controversey concerning the writer wilfred greatorex(ive never heard that story before),originally it appeared there were indeed two seperate series as it took approx a year for the so called second series to come to screen ,( a chap i knew was an extra on the sets)in retrospect the “airline” stories could have run into the present day, it was an interesting format and the air photography was brilliant a shame personal differences spoilt things .a bit like historic aviation groups really
regards vic:rolleyes: :rolleyes: