It was ‘missing’ from XA699 when we acquired the aircraft from Cosford so she was many years an incomplete example… …rear end, it still exists but I cannot divulge where on an open forum….I’ll get shot.

It’s no great secret is it? – it was removed (as you say before the Museum acquired it) to help make another incomplete example complete.

Have a photo somewhere of the fuselage on a lorry going under the railway bridge at Cosford – the canopy was real close to the underside of the bridge.

Roger Smith.

I’m only guessing but two possible ideas

To allow access to of much of the airframe as possible to treat corrosion due to it’s situation in a saline atmosphere?

To reduce the load on the undercarraige?

Roger Smith.

Peter I agree, but is it worth the effort required? I’ll explain what I mean – although perhaps I should write this on your thread about the health of surviving Vulcans but here goes.

At the time we acquired XL360 I put a ‘pessimistic hat’ on and said if we didn’t get a roof over her in 10 years she would end up cut up. I was wrong thankfully (by a factor of 2.5 so far) but how wrong?

Using XL360 as a typical example of most of the UK ‘fleet’ of Vulcans that stand outside she has had one repaint and varying amounts of TLC since arriving in February, 1984. Eventually corrosion could bring her to a state whereby bits might start falling off which, depending on the size of the bits, could obviously represent a danger to Museum members/visitors.

Is there anyone out there with sufficient knowledge of aircraft structures to be able to voice an opinion of how long a Vulcan can sit out in the British climate and perhaps which are the ‘weakest’ or ‘suspect’ areas on the aircraft?

So, in a nutshell, I am still pessimistic about the long-term future of many of the Vulcans preserved and although turning the engines over would be nice will it do anything to extend the life of the airframe?

Roger Smith.

Just got the new edition of “Popular Flying” and in the Project News section is a photo of Jurca MJ-10 Spitfire currently under construction by John Rogerson. It is 80% scale (and, apparently, contains an impressive amount of spruce) and will be fitted with a 250 h.p. LOM 6 cyl in-line engine.

Roger Smith.

I like the idea as well but two comments.
The location of EMA is, perhaps, too close to Cosford and any proposal would stand more chance, maybe, with a location in the north of England.
What about including a Vickers Victoria (rep) in the list? A couple of Vimy replicas have been built – didn’t the Victoria utilise a lot of Vimy components?

Roger Smith.

If the ‘Flight’ is sold, I reckon unlikely would be kept as a complete unit – more likely split up. 🙁

Roger Smith.

Is there enough runway in good enough nick for ‘474 to land though? I know what’s left is good enough for ‘611 to trundle along, but is it deemed operational enough for the Lanc to actual fly in and out from? Surely, ‘474 would have landed there previously for opportunities with her sister by now if she was able?

Maybe Peter Jackson has budgetted for an upgrade 🙂

Roger Smith.

Thanks Moggy…
no seriously is this a waste of thread or what? why dont we wait and see what the weekend brings?

is it true – are we running out of threads?

Roger Smith.