Difficult, because it’s always been there. No family connections with aviation or the RAF, just an abiding interest that has grown into something else now.

Big influences were having a neighbour who was a fitter with 234 Squadron at the time of the Battle of Britain. The Air Training Corps and for me now, it’s largely about the Veterans, Rememberance and all that goes with it.

All I know is that as I get older, the more I get to know, the more I need to learn.

Regards,

kev35

The delay to the delivery of alpha 1’s aircraft was as a direct result of production difficulties at Wooster Models further compounded by the inability to recruit sufficient Playmobil flight crew and a problem with the bedroom door.

I believe it to be eminently possible that Mr. Halstead has looked at the Vulcan as an option, so far he’s gone through Trislander, Twin Otter, Jetstream and Navajo, if I remember correctly.

As far as the Vulcan goes, I personally believe the project has had more than enough money thrown at it and it seems the project still wants more. People are saying about alpha 1 that he shouldn’t have announced it till he had the money to pull it off. Perhaps the same is true of the Vulcan project? Instead, great things were promised, not yet delivered. And the project has used the big stick of threatening to scrap 558 if money was not forthcoming for the rebuild. Was it not therefore irresponsible of them to dismantle the aircraft before the funds were in place to see it rebuilt?

How much progress has been made to date? Is it now partially rebuilt? When will engines be run and what is the estimated date for the first flight?

Regards,

kev35

And probably pretty authentic too. I doubt that Malta Spitfires spent much time being polished to concourse standard between the raids 😉

Moggy

Absolutely right Moggy.

If anyone wants an idea what it was like for a Spitfire pilot in Malta, warts and all, read ‘One Man’s Window’ by Denis Barnham.

Regards,

kev35

Rlangham.

I’m beginning to despair here. The road is inaccessible. Which part of that don’t you understand? If it isn’t piled high with builders materials or their vehicles, it is a quagmire. It would be much nicer if you actually took the time to listen.

But, in the interests of fairness, let’s say two tousand people would wish to go, at £20 quid a throw. That’s £40,000. A sizeable sum. But as far as I can see, that money would be swallowed in the effort toput on the photo opportunity. I doubt that the V Bombers will be towed inside the day before it opens. I would imagine it will be relatively early on before construction is finished that they are ‘entombed.’ A road would have to be built at some considerable cost and someone will have to make all the necessary plans and risk assessments. Remember the RAF Museum is under the umbrella of the Government and therefore top heavy with bureaucracy. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see it, but I honestly think there’s more chance of 558 flying, and you all know my opinions on that. Don’t take my word for it, listen to Badger or give Cosford a ring. Would you like the number?

Ken.

I’ve tried to speak to them on unrelated matters several times. The initial phone call has been friendly and helpful but so far they haven’t followed up. One of the email enquiries was about having a stand at the airshow? They acknowledged receipt but that was as far as it got. Perhaps they are just too damned busy with the twisted monstrosity.

Regards,

kev35

Just to try and clear this up a bit further, I have scanned the latest leaflet handed out to visitors by Museum staff.

As can be seen, the Vulcan and Victor are positioned at the back of Hangars 2 and 3. In my opinion, the only conceivable move for them is going to be into the new building. The position of the Conservation Centre makes it impossible for them to come round the back of the Hangars. The area in front of Hangars 2 and 3 where they used to be displayed is now part of the construction work. I personally don’t see, at the moment, how it would be possible to move the aircraft back in front of Hangars 2 and 3 to provide any kind of photo opportunity. The Valiant, as of the second of September, was on at least two low loaders outside Hangar 1.

Now, pure conjecture on my part, but I imagine the Valiant will be reassembled in Hangar 1 when the Liberator moves out. This would then make it much simpler to move the reconstructed Valiant into the bottom end of the new building. I assume this is what will also happen with the Belfast. The site map does not truly convey how crowded the situation is at present.The car park as shown on the map looks a clear area. This is not the case. It is divided into several sections by either fences or earth berms.

There is a large earth berm running across from the Conservation Centre to the Neptune. This appears to be in the process of being landscaped.There is a grey square on the plan which looks like a building. I personally cannot recall a building there so perhaps it is something to do with the contractors or indeed a new construction. (Or my memory has failed me completely.)

I don’t believe moving large airframes from Hangars 2 and 3 down to the area in front of Hangar 1 using the entrance and exit road is practicable either. This would necessitate the removal of lamp posts, gates, and quite probably a section of fencing.

While the idea of a photo call of all three V Bombers and maybe some of the other airframes in Hangars 1 and 2 is a mouth-watering prospect, I think the time, effort and cost involved renders it a non-starter. I believe the movement of the Trident to the hardstanding (the aircraft is regularly opened to the public) and the removal of the Argosy to the shooting butts several months ago, shows clearly that when these aircraft are in situ, that is where they will remain. I believe the Argosy will enter the building from the bottom end with the Belfast and Valiant. I imagine it will be possible to bring smaller airframes like the Canberra, Javelin, etc., across the front of Hangars 2 and 3 and into the top end of the new building. As I say, this is all conjecture on my part so I stand ready to be proved wrong.

A word about engineers. As is often shown, they can be a prickly bunch. But they are the people with the knowledge, skills and expertise to restore the airframes we all wish to see. I would imagine that the engineers at Cosford have more than enough on their hands at present preparing aircraft for display in the new building and juggling the others around. It’s a task I don’t envy them and one for which I have the utmost respect.

A word about the building. As it stands, from both the plans and the evidence of the work undertaken so far, I don’t like it, I seriously doubt that I ever will. I do not relish the prospect of the Javelin nailed vertically to a wall. Hanging aircraft I can cope with but the idea with the Javelin seems just plain daft to me. I hope, when the new building opens, I can change my mind and be delighted by what I see. Whatever the outcome, some very significant aircraft are to be given permanent undercover homes which will guarantee their future safety.

I hope the site plan explains the potential logistical problems to anyone who hasn’t been to the building site recently. That is exactly what it is. The Museum Staff are to be congratulated in ensuring that most exhibits remain accessible and having to work under very trying conditions.

Regards,

kev35

Fetish clothing…..

Does that include balaclavas?

Regards,

kev35