it is Ex BAe. Thought it looked familiar, it is one of their former testbeds G-BBYM

The only historics I have flown in are Ex-BBMF DH Devon VP981 which IIRC is now with Air Atlantique at Coventry whislt on summer camp at Coningsby in 1985 and a 1932 Blackburn B2 G-AEBJ from Warton aerodrome when I worked there.

There was a documentary on recently (can’t remember which channel) about the recovery of the engine from Sgt Holmes’ Hurricane from under (IIRC) the Elephant and Castle(?). Very good too emotional for Sgt Holmes and his son.

I cant help seeing pic’s of that Shackleton lying on the desert floor after a similar attempt… and wondering.

But having said that, i cant recall any incident where a warbird has been lost flying over the pond, all the B-17’s and B-24’s made it ok.

Saw an excellent programme on the History channel about that flight, such a shame but there have been other successful trips such as the Vimy replica (does that still fly?) to Oz or the Super Connie from the Arizona desert to Sydney, the Pacific is a darn sight bigger pond. criyng shame no funds could be found for the venture though.

Of course, the elements are highly damaging. But ‘391 hasn’t even had a fresh lick of paint since she landed there, which, i’m sure you’ll agree is quite important to preservation. I am sure it costs a lot of money, but if you had seen the size of Mr Bateson’s operation, i’m sure he could have give her at least one new coat once every 5 years? Manpower certainly wouldn’t have been lacking. I used to fly out of Blackpool regularly and the guys I know in and around the airport were truly disgusted with the condition she was/is left in. A couple of the guys I remember wanted to floodlight her at night, which would have looked superb. But it wasn’t to be for the old girl and she has been left to rot by Mr Bateson. A businessman. Apparently.

I quite agree with your comments, XL391, and I also have read with interest other peoples comments on the plight of this neglected bomber and agree with some of the things mentioned on both sides of the coin. Up until a year ago I lived in Blackpool all of my life and I am very familiar with the Vulcan. I agree that the landlord should have done more research before purchasing the aircraft after all Middleton is only about a hours drive from Blackpool so he could have made an inspection of the airframe before placing a bid. However I have actually met Brian Bateson on a couple of occasions and found him to be a very money orientated individual. When the Vulcan arrived at Blackpool it was open to the public as a tourist attraction offering tours around the aircraft for a fee then when she was declared unsafe for public access she was fenced off and left to rot. On a number of occasions a friend of mine, who runs the local Air Cadet unit located at the back of Blackpool Air Centre, tried numerous times to offer the services of the cadets to help preserve the airframe (under the guidance of a team from BAe) but was turned down flat. Bids were also offered for the airframe from numerous people and organisations over the years but were told it wasn’t for sale, still under the illusion it is still a tourist attraction. Now Mr Bateson has found an opprtunity to make lots more money with the proposed expansion of Blackpool Airport and needed to get rid of some dead wood (or rather metal) and flog the Vulcan to the highest bidder.
Although I admire the guts of the pub landlord for having a go in trying to preserve the Vulcan I do feel it is now ‘too little too late’ when a bit of TLC on the part of Mr. Bateson and a few willing young volunteers could have helped save a piece of history. And so the possibilty of a bigger profit for Mr. Bateson with the sale of a half decent Vulcan airfame is now lost.

RIP Vulcan XL391

Martin

I don’t know if it is the same one I’ve seen but I think Channel 4 showed it as part of their ‘Secret History’ series. IIRC the germans were also claiming it was just a glorified terror attack and didn’t affect them in any significant form.
It also showed a Lanc getting its elevator ripped off because it was too low at release of the bomb and ‘never seen before’ footage of a test of the real upkeep mine. There were also clips from The Dam Busters movie in it.

Sorry! That role has been taken by a woman named Ms G. Greer :diablo: , I fancy the role of WO Warwick if its not taken ‘Put that cigarette out! the mains have gone, can’t you smell gas?! :p