Thankyou for that Info David,

I wonder why she was Painted in FAF colours at all ??, if it was totally ficticious,
very interesting all the same, she has been there quite some time, One day I would love to go and see the old girl, if I am in the area, and ive Permission of course . I am not one of these “Urban Explorer” types .
Thanks again 🙂

Scrap ?

Oh and By the way David, I have been studying suitable candidates for quite some time, and I agree with what you say It has to be one that is suitable ie- a frame that is past restoration, But there isnt many of those as most are in restorable condition.

I wish it were possible to save and transport a whole one to various shows, but sadly i am sure you are aware Logistically that is impossible, so it has to be a cockpit section, as Logistics govern this.

Also the ones that come up for tender are normally in very good condition, and run in there thousands,

I have approached a museum regarding a Hulk, Hopefully they might oblidge,
I await there reply with Bated breath,

Its quite funny really old scrap boats are old scrap Boats, Unless you happen to love Boats, old classic cars are the same, Even things like the Austin Maxi have some sort of following, and you wouldnt think twice about seeing one of those crushed at the scrap yard, yet aircraft never seem to be classed as scrap, even when most of the bits are missing and theres plenty of rot in it and there in Abundance,Theres allways someone there who will save it if they can, the same goes for any other “Old” Vehicle ,They all have followings by many individuals, Many would disagree with us and say.. its Just old scrappy helicopters or Airplane, who the hell would want that !, the same as if someone offered me a austin allegro or Maxi, I would say “who the hell would want that !”.
It all Boils down to one mans rubbish is another mans gold I suppose,

at the end of the day ,no matter how pleasing to the eye old aircraft derelict or otherwise might enthrall us aircraft nuts, a Lot of it is Just that “Scrap” , never again to do its job or purpose in life , redundant , same with cars or anything past there “Usefull” Purpose, so what is the real harm in removing a cockpit from something that there are many many examples of in the country,and is totally redundant ,before the aircraft is scrapped on site anyway, if it was a Vauxhall Nova you wouldnt bat a eyelid,…. why should a old Wessex be any different.

I am only pointing out what many who dont have a passion in aviation like we do might think of all this ??

I only say this as I met a man today who used to work in RAF St Athan , his job used to be scrapping Tornado jets, that had run past there service date,
he said to look at them when they come in ,they were nice clean aircraft, but by the time his contract team had finished with them,they were just chopped ,Stripped,empty Hulks, and he couldnt understand why I was so facinated with them, to him it was just a Job, and I am sure he would do it to a fleet of Wessex given half a chance, he said it was the best job of his life,But as for the planes,well he didnt give a damn, Just scrap metal to him .

So hence why I was trying to find the right MOD department to find out about saving a cockpit next time one is up for scrap,because no matter how I feel enthusiastic about them, if there going to be Junked, then thats that, and it will happen regardless if I enquire or not.
But,….If I can save a little something “Whilst” there in the throws of doing it, well….
… Happy Days !! :):)

Gutted 🙁

Just read that 2 or 3 of the Preddanack Wessex Airframes, that would have been Ideal as cockpit restorations were “BURNT” 😮 🙁 in 2008 .. Probably whilst I was writing emails and asking about them 🙁 .. Theres a bloody suprise :rolleyes::rolleyes:

it really does seem to me the powers that be really really do there level best to “Stick to the system” as to not stick to the system .. God the Forms they would have to fill in 🙂

I believe XM870 and XP160 were 2 of those that were burned ?:(: (: mad:

Whirlwind

Hi all,:D

Yes I am back, not too often though, Ive been busy doing up my Lambretta, I tried my Hardest to turn my back on the Aviation scene, as I just seemed to be getting nowhere with it, But I Cant .. its in me and been in me since childhood, Carry on Regardless I say 😀 .. I Must be a slave to aviation ,LOL

Ive been Busy writing letters, to all sorts of Govt dept’s etc regarding wessex hulks, (still cant stop thinking of em) (sorry to Bore you all. haha)

I find it hard to understand why it is the likes of Paintball Parks, Diving centres,Film companies and outdoor Pursuits Centre’s seem to be able to obtain old Hulks that invariably eventually end up destroyed.

and yet when a single person, who isnt a Business, or a charity tries to talk to the MOD etc it sometimes feels like banging yer head against a brick wall,

I really in all honesty, whatever cockpit I have Harped on about in the past, only ever wanted what so many of you wanted to do, Lovingly restore it, and take it to shows, and even perhaps use it to raise funds for our service personel’s Charities.

I wanted to do this 10 years ago, But never pulled my finger out, or got all confused with the red tape,its amazing to see just how regulated it all is ??.

So I will keep on searching, Ive given up on Hunters, Love them to bits mind, allways will, But there now in such short supply and all in Private hands,with such a big following.
However, the wessex, well different story, there seems to be a abundance of them all over the country, and now as far as I am aware are Banned from any future flying,due to a design fault in the rotor drive ?. so lots of them are now in Museums ,which is a good thing, But the majority are still Mouldering on fire dumps , or being used as training rigs for new erks, all Good causes I grant you, but with so many , surely there must be a way to secure a old Cockpit/Cab from a Hulk that is due to be scrapped ??,especailly when on certain bases they are not even used, and are abandoned on there sides, smashed and forlorn, sad remains of what were once such loved aircraft.

theres not even much scrap metal in a Wessex/whirlwind cockpit for it to be of any scrap Value.

I just thought it would be a novel way of continuing some sort of service to
raise funds now and again for charity, rather than just being chopped up??.

Ive written many letters and hope for a reply, But I am not counting on it,
Because simply ,I dont think the powers that be are interested in a Individual,but rather would not rock the boat and continue to use the system for disposal they have in place to the letter. Red tape after red tape.

So i have hit another Brick wall??, and to be honest.. I am at a Loss as to what to do about it,or how to next approach it.

I May have it all wrong ??. and its me who is wrong and have been dealing with the wrong dept, or organisations.. I certainly am no expert.

so Please if anyone out there knows “who or What” dept to deal with regarding this issue, I would really appreciate a “Pointer” in the right direction?:confused:

as for the fire dump Photos, of the whirlygig, well, they were never done, I never recieved them in the end sadly,

and lastly .. a Very Happy St Goerge’s Day to you all ,its been a corker weather wise 😉

SO Just to corroberate what has been said !!, Please excuse me for being a little dense, But from what I can see, Most if not all the GA.11 aircraft were all actually converted from Old F.4 Aircraft,

which Didnt have any changes in airframe, Engine,or Cockpit design, Apart from, Removal of all the Gun systems, and Blanking off the Gun ports ??

and of course later in there life they had “Harley Lights ” fitted, but as for a GA.11 , converted in the early 1960s, it is Basicly a F.4 with the Guns removed, ?
and that is about it ??

I am sure you will tell me if I am wrong ??:D