You could try Dave Goddard; he’s into Chipmunks;

http://www.dsgaviation.co.uk/

From the paintshop this morning; this will be on the TFC site as soon as the e-mail comes back up!

It was prepared and initially ferried by Chuck Elsworth (Canadian) I believe, who is something of a PBY guru, seemingly. The details were recounted by him either here or Pprune (no time to seach at mo) . The trip ended prematurely in France with engine trouble, acrimony, accusations, allegations. Basically, empty pram, and air thick with flying teddies.

Chuck went home. PBY did not.

Chuck is most definitely yer man for anything PBY; there is no-one else alive with his depth of experience. There was a falling out with the new owner when Chuck was not prepared to fly the aircraft in an unsafe condition and another person flew it instead. That the aircarft has now been dismantled and moved by surface only serves to strengthen Chuck’s case.

They’re still in Myanmar.

It’s not what the official record says….

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1&mode=detailnosummary&fullregmark=G-BRAF

We would certainly welcome any aircraft over here for displays; we don’t have any issues over security, it’s just that pesky regulation. But there are certainly restrictions from the USA regarding more modern aircraft – you wouldn’t stand much chance of getting an export license (sic) for a jet warbird out of the USA.

Even parts can be hard to buy if the vendor cannot get permission for export. A certain UK based historic jet had just such a problem last year.

Rob,

Not to be the sour note on this whole thing but the folks at Liberty Belle have some rather large hoops to go thru before they can make the jump over the Pond one of them being getting the Okie Dokie from you very own CAA so they can have paying passengers come with them. The one of the many reason that they didn’t come the last few years is because of the CAA rules also their is some question about the EU laws also.

Absolutely NOT allowed for this or any aircraft in this category to carry fare paying passengers in the UK. Ever.

The issue is with insurance cover, as the EC Regulation 785/2004 requires aircraft to carry high levels of cover. In the case of a B-17, this is over 61 million pounds Sterling. This cover would be necessary even for a short visit to the UK.

I used to get mad about this sort of thing but of course we can’t all be there to watch over the memorials and collection tins. The druggies can’t help themselves, they’re not in control of their faculties. The vandals either don’t understand or can’t be bothered to learn why we put up a cross or stick a pound or two in a collection. If I were to be witness to a crime such as these then I would do something about it; happily I have never seen it happen, maybe we’re lucky where I live.

Anyway, I deal with it now by saying to myself that Private Tommy Atkins will be remembered for a lot longer than some amoral low-life who cares nothing for the world around him. In sixty years time, who will recall the names of even the most notorious of these pieces of humanity. Anyone remember Rat Boy? He was all over the papers once, can anyone here truly say that they could even give his real name without Googling it? I know I couldn’t.