I don’t know how old the article in the link is, but I’ve heard they’ve wrecked the Tiger already. Any truth in this?

It’s mighty important…………

Is it? I would suggest that the Society has had little or no real relevance since the events following the farcical AGM held at Duxford last year, which quite a number of us posting here attended. As it continues this steady slide into oblivion, I have wonder who these days really cares any more.

Oh for a collection that says – sod the ‘war birds’, let’s preserve and fly British light aeroplanes from the first four decades of the twentieth century. Oh, didn’t that used to be the Shuttleworth Collection?

Yes, the same one which almost went bust, and had to flog off an aeroplane a year to keep its head above water financially.

Like them or not, the heavy metal 1) brings the paying punters in through the gate in droves, and 2) guarantees that they at least have something to look at in the air if the wind blows or the rain falls.

Requium For A Gull.

If I was providing sponsorship, I’d far rather direct it, for example, towards getting Miss Battens Gull Six back, as this was a genuinely historic and original aircraft.

I’d suggest that in this instance it is a case of “once it’s gone, it’s gone” and it is unlikely ever to be released into private hands again.

G-AERD also went to the antipodes relatively recently.

Nearer three decades ago, I think you’ll find. Again, being part of a National institution (albeit stored since arrival apart from a short-term display), I suspect it too is unlikely to be released.

That’s why I’m extremely happy that the Mew has ended up where it is, a hopefully more stable Shuttleworth Collection than in the Jean Batten disposal era, rather than at the vagaries of private ownership.

Now we just need to get them to secure the Miles Hawk Speed Six’s future if it ever comes up for disposal!

Did you try 0207 370 0409? 🙂

Nice. I hope they put all the appropriate stencilling back on it at some point though. This was a 1980s repaint, from the days before the same level of rigorous research was applied to paint schemes that is the norm nowadays.

A full and interersting life.

I’m sure he will feature here http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats-going-on/news/pilots-of-carribean-appeal/