Lindy’s LadLeconfield’s hangars being demolished? Have I missed a trick, or have the Army not thought this through – no where to strore their trucks! Is the driving center still going? The RAF still have hangar 5 – E Flight 202 Sqn, also leased to the civil police as far as I am aware. When I was still in the mob, (some 5 years ago…) they were on about moving us (E Flight) to a new facility on the other side of the airfield closer to molescroft.
The hangars still have bullet holes in them from the Baedekker raids when 640 Sqn was there flying Halibags…
Lindy’s LadFirstly, I’d like to say that I prefer whole airframes, but a recent visit to Aeroventure just opened my eyes –
A disabled person would find it very difficult to get into an aircraft of any sort, let alone sit in the cockpit (I’m thinking wheelchairs here…). Imagine if you will, a cockpit at ground level (a small ramp to the cockpit floor), and only one seat fitted. The cockpit has lights, and sounds, and allows said disabled person to see / re-live the sights and sounds of a cockpit. That to me is priceless, and a brilliant way of introducing aircraft preservation to those who cannot climb vertical fuselage sides…
Children benefit too – As a kid, there is only one important part of an aircraft – cockpit!
I don’t agree with culling good airframes to keep the cockpit, but if the airframe is done for, the cockpit is worthy of saving…
Cockpitters – I salute you….
Lindy’s LadThis was previously on display at NEAM before moving to Aeroventure.
The museum had a full history of the aircraft in addition to photographs of the aircraft in service.
There is also a photograph on G-INFO the CAA web site
Dave, I have recently re-joined NEAM after a ten year gap, and wanted to see if there was any information available in addition to what NEAM already has. I remember the Dove when it was there, and I personally am glad it is to return (today! – about now!).
Thank you one and all for your posts…
anyone got a pair of gypsy queens?…. ours are not too healthy – missing innards, cylinder head, ancilliaries…
Lindy’s LadNice one. I’ll chase those operators up… there must be a decent photo of her somewhere… I’ve found a pic of her at what must be Leavesdon – not pretty!
Lindy’s LadThe photo appears in the book ‘An Illustrated History of the Royal Air Force’ by Roy Conyers Nesbitt, on page 214. The caption reads:
… Dakota III’s of 267 Squadron at Bari in Italy during 1944…..
RAF Museum P1691 —-> slide ref…
The second Dak is serial FL585 I think……. the photo is quite grainy…
Lindy’s LadAh well…. completely wrong as usual… Llanbedr, Prestwick… both in foreign countries…. 😮
Also completely confused over the KM… a picture I have seemed to place it well and truely on dry land… on further inspection, its in a dry dock… dammit
Lindy’s LadNow that the petty squabbling is over, and we have both aired our opinions, perhaps we can get back to the purpose of this thread… If the Gannet is to be saved by one of the smaller museums, then maybe the information gathered here may be of some use.
Already we have had some wonderful inputs of the wing fold mechanism, general dimensions, etc. I am in contact with the company who moved the Gannet at White Waltham, and as I find out how to go about moving a 15 tonne airframe, I will post it on here. Perhaps it will benefit anyone who is interested in moving a reasonably large aircraft?
anyone got any stories about moving aircraft about?….
Please note: the following is my personal opinion, and not that endorsed by NEAM !!!!!
David, I agree that the Vulcan XL319 perhaps has served its purpose. We have many vulcans safe in this country, and 319 is suffering badly. The control surfaces have vertually no skin left, and the airframe generally is very badly corroded. I wonder whether it would be for the best to cull the airframe, provide spares for the remaining Vulcs, and preserve the nose?…..I am watching the events around the Woodford Vulcan very closely.
Keep posting! 😀
Lindy’s LadWill J has a plan…. an ekranoplan…. hehe.
From memory, (please back me up Will) his university project detailed the construction and operation of a large ekranoplan. Prestwick Airport was mentiuoned in its operation – a large runway with vertually no obsacles between it and the open sea – ideal ekranoplan operating territory. His plan was to equip the ekranoplan with wheels (see Caspian Sea Monster) and fly from Prestwick to anywhere! I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to detail his plan…… I thought it was a good idea, but I’m not Richard Branson
Lindy’s LadLindy – The aims of the BAPC are to foster goodwill and reduce competition for airframes. It isn’t in anyones interests to hype the value of airframes.
All it does is to put airframes outside the reach of smaller museums and also takes money away from airframes which are already in museums that require
money spending on them. There is already a massive amount of duplication within the British preservation movement and we could quite happily loose
a number of airframes to ensure funds are spent on the worthy. Look at your local museum and examine the number of airframes which are either in long terme storage or indeed outside and deteriorating before getting excited about anything new!
😮
A bit of joviallity is always good, as is friendly competition. The aim here is not to discredit anyone, rather just to keep those interested about developments within collections. As for deciding which aircraft are worthy…. one man’s scrap is another’s gold. As far as I am aware, there are only 2 Gannet ECM6s in existance (forgive me if I am wrong). The one at Duxford is a fine example and will continue to represent the breed for many years to come. However, consider this – what if the aircraft at Duxford was to have an accident? If that airframe was (god forbid) written off, what then? Surely the preservation of as many aircraft as possible is a good thing. Many low funded ‘museums’ have a very simple policy – keep as many aircraft undercover as possible to prevent further deterioration! I can only speak of NEAM here, but they have many rare airframes (both past and present) and only two outside. The Canberra TT18 and the Vulcan. Both aircraft are deteriorating, that much is true, but plans are afoot to place them inside….:D If it had not been for this policy, the Speed Record Swift WK198would now be scrap, and the Bristol Brigand would now be extinct, the F86D would not be here, and the late lamented Gill Air would not be commemorated in the Shorts 330.
If you cannot tell the diference between a bit of fun (notice I have not mentioned the other interested parties for the Gannet), and a thread designed to upset everyone, then you need a reality check. 😡
I am new to the preservation scene in that I have only been involved for 20 years, and my experience has shown that people need to take life a little less seriously! Yes, NEAM is looking at aquiring a few new aircraft as is every other museum in the country, but duplication?…. many people cannot travel the length of the country to see a particular aircraft type, so it is up to the small local museums to provide that service with the more common types.
The end result from all this, is that a museum somewhere will aquire a rare aircraft mark, and it will be preserved for future generations, and for that I cheer… as should you.
Lindy’s LadI’d heard from a reliable source that there were talks on going for the gannet to go to another museum in the north of england.
Not saying which just in case the info was wrong.
We are aware of another museum in the north west who are after the aircraft. Airframes are reasonably difficult to come by these days, so several interested parties will always persue a particular airframe. Whoever gets it I am sure will preserve the aircraft and ensure its survival.. Let the battle commence………:dev2:
Lindy’s LadLet’s hope they do build it!
If WILL J reads this, he’ll have kittens! Looks like Beriev have beaten you to a big Ekranoplan airliner again Will… ho ho ho ho
😀 :
Lindy’s LadThe problem is, we have only seen photos.. and until yesterday, the guys at NEAM hadn’t even seen them! All we can do is go and look at the beastie and make an informed decision having gathered as much info as we can. Funding is not my issue, but as far as I can tell, the funding may be available to transport more than just the Gannet. Thats all I’m saying for now. Its not my place to say what NEAM is hoping to aquire…….. As I find out more info about the Gannet, good or bad, I’ll post it here. Really, we need an engineering survey carried out (with photos taken) and take it from there.
Lindy’s Lad[QUOTE=
It is good to see that a good prospective home is eyeing up ‘831, all the best to all involved.
PS… (This is more my own curousity more than anything else)
“I believe BAPC have approved the move, all that remains is to settle on the price and for both Flambards and NEAM to agree.”
I have to confess I have never heard of this ‘approval’ being made, or indeed sought, before. In this cases, who do you ask, and how do they help?[/QUOTE]
Will… you seem to haunt me! Thanks for the pics though.
It seems I was a little premature as usual… BAPC informed NEAM of the aircraft as up for disposal (one of the fine gents at NEAM gets pressganged into BAPC meetings 😉 ). NEAM are awaiting written confirmation of the deal from Flambards. THESE AIRFRAMES ARE NOT SAFE YET…… and other parties are interested…
Will, if you have some Gannet spares hidden in some corner of Hangar 5 let me know……
The move for the Gannet alone will cost in excess of 5 grand… ish…
Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting developments at NEAM.
Lindy’s LadNA T6G (Kissimmee) – can’t remember the serial, but it was owned by Mitch Johnson and painted in Canadian navy colours (two tone grey – nice)
Waco UPF7 (Key West)
Pitts s2B (Key West)
Chipmunks WZ878, WP-something or other…. 11AEF Leeming
SAL Bulldogs (11AEF Leeming)
Sea King HAR3 xz598, 596… RAF Leconfield (still in service, but ancient)
HP Victor K2 XL231 (not officially flown, lets just say the wheels were NOT on the ground)…….
Lindy’s LadWOW… cheers to all! (so far).
I am just off to NEAM to let them know. Yes Neam are going to see the Gannet – they were offered the Aeroventure one… but it needs a touch of work:eek:
NEAM aquired a former Flambards hele (Widgeon?) some years ago, and are keen to aquire the wessex and the gannet. I believe BAPC have approved the move, all that remains is to settle on the price and for both Flambards and NEAM to agree.
If anyone has a set of Gannet AP’s……?
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