Reply re- Coventry Bash.

Thanks JJ ,that has answered a query I had. I saw two aircraft in close formation batting along leaving trails at around 11.38 this morning over Brum and I wondered what they were !
Cheers, Alan

Ps Be sure to say hello at Cov on Sunday,I will be around and about somewhere,looking festive no doubt.:D

Hi Alani,
Yes, it was the trails that caught my eye, but could not make out the single
fast-jet following at a lower alt around a minute later.

Will do, how about at the Shackleton at mid-day ? I’ll look out for tinsel on yer
tri-pod and maybe meet some of the other members.

Regards JJ,

This link to a press release tells of the shocking treatment of a wreck research team arrested for observing illegal war wrecks being recovered
http://taylandefensefund.org/jt/

Hi Scotavia,

Read the report you posted, is there more to this than meets the eye ? for
a start who were these people removing stuff and what do they intend to do
with it sell to a museum or sell to China for scrap ? so they can carry-on becoming one of the fastest growing Nations on the planet. Lets see what
goes down at the trial. I hope the U.S Govenment helps out and not sit there
doing nothing bearing in mind it could have been Japenese or US kit which
still belongs to them.

By the way, like your back yard, went through it on the way to Nairn from
Avimore some weeks ago, very nice.

JJ.

Lightning footage.

Does anyone know where ground power was connected on the ee lightning?
I know it was in the port wheel well, but does anyone have a clear picture of this?
Ch

eers

Hi gazz195,

Sending you the Video footage of the Cranfield Lightning as promised by
means of snail-mail. If you want to copy it for friends please do, thats what
film is for.

Regards, JesseJames.

The clash of dates is unfortunate, but one can work around it, go to Fairford several days to watch the arrivals when most aircraft can be seen, then the weekend at Duxford. What is more of a problem is the added cost of two shows on the same weekend, this could lead to some people only being able to afford to attend one event. Worst still is that the weekend before Legends/Fairford is Waddington and Yeovilton and the week after is Farnborough. This will lead to yet more expense and the added problem of planning time off work and convincing other family members that being away from home for three consecutive weekends is a good idea.

The problems that us enthusiasts have will be nothing compared to the airshow industry, will aircraft opperators be able to attend at all these different events? will the event organisers be able to get the usual number of volunteers? with so many similar shows on over a three week period will attendances stuff? And worst of all what if it rains for the whole period?

Next year the most hyped-up airshow act for years will be the return of the Vulcan. It is looking like the Vulcan will be expected to fly six (possibly eight)display’s over a 16 day period, and that does not include transit flights, rehearsal’s and media events. This closeness of events is going to put alot of pressure on the Vulcan team to meet all their comitments, it would be so sad that a flight has to be cancelled due to a simple brake failure, burst tyre or problem with the parachute.

Hi DOUGHNUT,

Thanks for your comments on the subject and to be fair you raised a number of good points with regard to tight time frames with operators. I think now
the penny is starting to drop with people, that to put an aircraft up at a show
it takes time and effort which involves a lot of people making a lot of effort
to make the day go well. I take my hat to them anyway.

Regards JJ.

Reply.

Hi “JJ” – Just back from a day getting plenty of fresh air, thanks – hunting for a P-51 – didn’t find it though 🙁 – This Time !!! We’ll be back! 😀 Thanks for you note of encouragement, however I’m afraid its not the way I like to do things – some of the points you raise are quite correct, but I have been in charge of recovery projects and know all too well the difficulties that can arise when a wreck is in such an exposed location – I also know what some daft idiots will do – we had two incidents of theft on our Time team project for instance – fortunately the police recovered the first item and a “quiet word” in the right places effected the “re-discovery” of the second ! 😎 I have also had to deal with crowd control when details of one or two of our digs have got out before the project – 99% of those who turn up are well meaning and just curious – just rather unaware of the dangers of peering over the edge of deep holes! 😮 But the other 1% have other motives IMO 😡 . The point I was trying to raise was that, perhaps unintentionally, the impression that seemed to be coming over on the forum was that anyone who went near this wreck was up to no good – I feel that this has been corrected now.

I am a great believer in free speech and think it is great that we have this forum as a platform where views can be aired and when concerns arise, there is the opportunity for those involved in such projects to put forward their case and often allay people’s fears and correct misconceptions. I have had extensive, informative and friendly, correspondence both from members of TIGHAR and the individual who decided that this aircraft should be saved and IMO went about it in the best way he saw fit – I’m not saying I would have done things the same way, but at least he did something! I also bear no grudge or envy regarding his “laying claim” to this wreck – it is on his doorstep and his actions all appear to be for genuine motives. Sure it’s a great find, but I have already discovered a largely complete airframe (& know the locations of a few more!) and I know our groups limitations, what the museum I am involved with can and cannot take on and of course what can and probably cannot be achieved with regard to realistic conservation with current technology and materials. TIGHAR obviously seem to do things differently to the way groups operate over here, but I, for one, am prepared to give them a chance and look forward to seeing what they achieve – it is not going to be an easy recovery !

Hi there N. Wotherspoon,

Thanks for the reply, glad you have been getting the fresh-air treatment.
I understand your points, it must be a problem keeping the lookers away
for the problem of not doing damage to whats been started,but come on
its not every day that we get to see this stuff on your back garden.
Anyway I hope it all pans out for them and I will, along with others will keep
our fingers crossed that it all goes to plan and that we really do get at long
last a P-38 to have a good look at.
P.S. was the Mustang a B or D ?

Regards JJ.

Go in search.

Didnt want to be the first to say this! But certainly appears that way – Did also note on their press release I get the impression that they are now looking for sponsorship for the project – Nothing like a good solid (looking!!!) warbird to refill the coffers (IMO of course). Not sure about the use of Aviation Archeology projects as business ventures – but hey I may be the one whose doing it wrong! 😮

What I did find a bit disturbing was the way a lot of people seem to be assuming that anyone who now goes near the site is a potential theif – I live within a a couple of hours drive of the site and would love to go and record it photographically before any attempt is made to “recover” it – but fear registration nos etc are likely to be taken? and should some total pratt go and try anything, I could end up a suspect simply because of my involvement in the hobby – So I will have to stay away 🙁 .

I have to agree with Alan – it obviously spent several years immersed in the sea before it ever got covered by sand – hence the apparent covering of sea life + this is probably not the first time it has been exposed – just the current interest in these things means it has got the attention this time. I suspect it will be in a pretty dire state despite appearance. But should it remain exposed then obviously something organised has to be done before it ends up piecemeal on eBay. If they do pull it off, it will be a shame if it ends up as little more than a pattern/provenance for a “rebuild”, but being realistic, conserving an airframe that has spent so long in the sea is going to be a nightmare – Not impossible though as there are those who have persevered and achieved amazing results.

Hi there, N Wotherspoon,

Go on, have a drive out there with your box brownie, always remember if you
have not been on with anything, you have nowt to worry about.
Has I see it, bearing in mind I’m a nobody, Its a free Country go where you
want if its not on private land. Anyway has anyone claimed this aircraft to be theirs ? where is the proof of ownership and who sold or gave it away, or is
it still up for grabs to anyone yet ? lets see the paperwork. Meanwhile
take your shooter down there and get snapping, before someone breaks it
getting it away from the beach.

Go on, get some sea air in yer lungs mate.

JJ.