Toddington TedWon’t be long now then…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-11945811I thought possibly they could be flown into storage inthe US pending better financial times but then you have to take into account tooling spares etc etc and its not worth it.. Hopefully one of these could be saved…
Your link to the BBC news website was interesting. The photo shows an MR2 of course!
IMHO is wasn’t worth it once the number of ac being built dwindled to single figures. Also serious lateral stability problems with MR4A so I’m told and anyone who buries a large jet engine in a wing root in the 21st century is asking for trouble. The Nimrod R1 is a very different beast but its still an old design. We really should have built something better but I don’t think we really wanted to.
Toddington TedPersonally I wish you hadn’t posted these excellent images. I’m so ruddy disgusted at what is happening to the RAF. I’m ashamed to be British. We invented the Harrier! 🙁
Apologies if this post upsets a few people.
We cannot afford to have both Harrier and Tornado.*
We are lucky to still have what we have believe me.
I left the RAF this year after 32 years service. Am I glad I have left? Yes.
Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Do I feel sad that the Harrier is going so soon? yes.
*However, the interpretation of what we can and cannot afford of course is down to Govt decisions influenced by the public, who will always vote for whoever gives them the most largesse resulting in an unaffordable state – hence the theory that democracy is always replaced by tyranny!
Toddington TedHow about if we all wait a few years, and when the MoD are unable to find a buyer for one of their new aircraft carriers, we could accommodate all our museums and pet projects in or on that instead :O)
I think you’ll find that we will be using both those aircraft carriers and that we will look back at this SDSR and laugh (well, I am an optimist!). I remember a very similar situation in 1981, but back then it was HMS Invincible. The following year I witnessed HMS Invincible and Hermes setting off to to South Atlantic. It was perhaps no coincidence that, 6 months earlier, the Santissima Trinidad, an Argentinian Type 42 Destroyer, had spent some time working up with the RN!
Regarding the MOD and rent etc, none of this surprises me at all. Things have changed tremendously regarding such things over the years.
Toddington TedYou lot can enjoy its demise, if such it is, AFTER 31st October, not before….:D
I have no wish to enjoy this aircraft’s demise, I was always impressed with the Vulcan, as I was with the other V bombers when I saw them (don’t really recall memories of the Valiants flying but I do recall seeing them occasionally on the ground). The latest “just in time” announcement solves nothing. The Winter is just round the corner so the aircraft can’t start earning money until next year (late Spring I guess). Its a money vortex, Spend the money on the Bomber Command Memorial (on ITV news this evening) instead. Yes I know, I can’t tell you what you should spend your money on (I wouldn’t wish to be so bold:D). It was great to be able to see it fly again and I’m amazed that the VTTS Team and their hard-working supporters could do that but they did.
Toddington TedSomeone please tannoy ENDEX
Sadly I have to agree;even if sufficient money is raised this time (again) the Vulcan will need more and more. VAT goes up in January and the effects of recent announcements by the Govt will also start to bite. A flying Vulcan is an awesome, educational, inspirational …..luxury and its unaffordable. Retirement in a museum must now follow. No reason why it couldn’t be kept “alive” though, rather like some other big jet aircraft (such as the Victor at Elvington). I know that’s not the same as seeing it fly but its better than seeing it rot (like so many other large aircraft that enthusiasts have purported to save over the years.)
Toddington TedThe owners of ‘Battle of Britain’ class locomotive No 34053 ‘Sir Keith Park’ are appealing for funds to complete the rebuild of the locomotive:
http://www.southern-locomotives.co.uk/34053/34053_Tubes.html
Cotswold Steam Preservation (of which I’m a member) did a similar boiler tube sponsorship for our locomotive, GWR No 2807, which was successful. 2807 entered service at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in August 2010. It was a long slog but we made it!
Incidentally, its been brought to my attention that Battle of Britain class Bulleid Pacific “249 Squadron” at the East Lancs Rly is in possible danger of ending up as spares. This loco is an example of the unrebuilt version (unlike Sir Keith Park which was one which was rebuilt in the late 1950s) and is in worse than scrapyard condition. However, seeing the expertise with organisations such as Southern Locomotives, it can be seen that restoration is possible although daunting – a brand new tender would be needed for a start but this is nothing new for the restorers. As “249 Squadron” is one of only 3 “squadrons” to survive the cutters torch (“92 Sqn” and “257 Sqn” being the other 2) and that 249 Sqn included amongst its ranks the only Fighter Command VC winner – Flt Lt Nicholson, I am minded to see if there’s interest (and wealthy backers!) for a restoration campaign. Its not cheap (£1.5million I would estimate) but a certain delta winged aircraft society seems to ask for that sum regularly.
Sorry about thread creep and dig at wonderful Delta – not the same league I know! Anyway, there might be mileage in saving 249 Sqn. Once gone, that’s it.
Toddington TedOne of the aircraft depicted in the painting is now preserved at the Newark Air Museum (not sure of the serial number) or at least an ex-Cranwell aircaft is. The Percival Prentice was an interesting aircraft I understand, being rather like an arthritic caravan to fly! The idea of having a student sitting behind the instructor and student being taught never really caught on either.
Toddington TedGood call – always best to know where to draw the line – if a little disappointing to you right now.
Bruce
Well put. Whilst Newark Air Museum would benefit from a Nimrod R1 on display it would benefit far more from another hangar for the aircraft still stuck outside in the (today-horrendous) weather. A good example of liking what you have rather than having what you like and seeing it all rot away and sinking into the soft grass in the damp English climate with accompanied bird poo. A good decision albeit a difficult one and I applaud you for it.
(Nimrods are ugly anyway…….runs for cover!)
Toddington TedAn article in Industry Today implies that another £400,000 is needed by the end of October for the Vulcan to continue.
The Trust hopes to fly the aircraft for at least two more display seasons, including the year of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, which is also the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the Vulcan and the 30th anniversary of its heroic role in the Falklands conflict. “The airframe has limited time before it will no longer be possible to renew its Permit to Fly,” explains Dr Pleming. “After that, we hope to develop a museum and educational centre around the plane, funded by conference, leisure and other commercial activities.”
“But if we don’t make it through October,” concludes Dr Pleming, “The tremendous opportunities offered by this magnificent aircraft will be lost forever.”
Link below:
I must admit to not having seen the Vulcan flying this year sadly, my fault really. Time appears to be running out again.
Toddington TedAn excellent programme which, considering the budget they had to play with, really reflected what it must have been like. As some others have commentated, it was unlike some other representations but, in my view, much more life-like and very moving in places. Thanks to all who had a part in its making and thanks to all of Mr Wellum’s ilk.
Toddington TedI have always admired David Jason as an actor and as a supporter of the RAF. I knew I would find the last part of the programme somewhat emotional and I most certainly tearfully did. I was most impressed with the BofB collection at Hawkinge (I believe) which was shown during the programme, having never seen it before.
Toddington TedIsn’t one 28XX enoough for you??!! 😀
A “new build” this time – BR Standard Class 3 Tank No 82045, being built from scratch on the Severn Valley!
Toddington TedIt is a newspaper, what do you expect?
The really worrying thing is: If they get this story SO wrong, what other stories (perhaps of more importance to everyday life) also contain similar errors of this magnitude?
You wouldn’t really want to know, honest! The current shower of nonsense over future Defence cuts is a case in point. They aren’t all like this but the Express in particular is a bit of a “waif and stray” in the industry and it doesn’t have a niche market – so I was told a little while back by a very experienced journo who was in the broadsheet and tabloid business. The old adage “Telephones tell lies and newspapers print ’em” is somwhat harsh but there is just a grain of truth in there. Rebuttal and factual briefings are the main weapons to combat this sort of ignorance.
Toddington Ted“Divorced Barry said: “My Spitfires are my hobby and they’ve almost become my life.” The Sun just loves eccentrics. (Anyone who doesn’t watch Eastenders or who can spell reasonably well is an eccentric to the Sun but it does fight hard for the Military as I can vouch when I was doing Media Ops in Helmand).
No wonder he’s divorced! Men are only sad children who want bigger toys. Is it any wonder women despair of us?
Says me reaching for yet another steam locomotive share application form!
Toddington TedIts a lovely propliner and one I’d love to see. However, its highly unlikely that we will ever see it in the UK. I do recall seeing the Brietling “Connie” at Duxford Flying Legends a few years ago and that was spectacular too. There can’t be many DC7s around these days – I understand the DC6 was more reliable but I’m sure someone out there will confirm or explain this.
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