To me its ultimatly about preserving airframes, their history and their stories.
It starts at the top with museums and librarys, through people like yourself with an airframe or cockpit, down to personnal collections of artefacts, documents and recollections. Researching and documenting the past is very important to this end (and why this forumi s so good).
I was involved in the resto of St Mawgans Shack, just wish there is something in S.Wales I can get involved in.
Supporting local aviation groups and witnessing talks by people that ‘were actually there’ (particularly as many are passing away now) is important to.

I am worried about the current trend of “lets scrap this one because there’s another one over there”, it seems to have resurfaced from about 15 years ago. This is why there is one Beverley, and the likes of Tridents and Vulcans are gradually dwindling away.

Re 558, Im fully supportive of the aims of VTTS, but find it a bit business like or corporative, and their website seems to lack genuine news.

I know this Gannet well and have done for years, its in very poor condition with fairly substantial corrosion in the the visible areas (skin, U/C, and structure openings). In more recent years the aircraft hasnt been looked after.
Having said that, nobody would like to see this aircraft preserved indoors more than me!

Heres a pic of the nose section, and a pic of Canberra T.4 WJ870 (Comet rear fuselage behind the nose) both taken in 1989. I have better pics but will have to dig em out.

Ive got a couple of panels myself, including an unmolested Meteor T.7 panel and Vulcan bits. It is slightly shinier than matt black, but not enough to call it satin.
I would be very reluctant to repaint any panel completely (unless damaged), you lose alot of its history in the process, plus that lovely cockpit smell!
Beside the panels hardly ever looked immaculate in the aircraft due to constant wear and tear, with scratch marks being touched up quite roughly.
Humbrol 33 and the ocassional spray and wipe off with WD40 works well.

Re the PR.9s I thought the tail numbers changed between serials occasionally?

Re first set of photos on page 2

I BELIEVE that was the very last Lancaster to fly in RAF service, RF325 H D.
This aircraft was based with the SMR at RAF St Mawgan and made its last flight from there to Wroughton for breaking on the 15 October 1956.
A ceremony was held to mark that very important occasion, and the Lancaster looked immaculate.
They should have preserved it I reckon, but typical airforce (witness the Brigand pics in same post), instead we relied on civil operators and the French navy for some of our preserved stars.
Im really pleased to see these photos as I have never seen pics of ‘325 post scrapping. Sorry if this info has been posted before!

Although the cockpit was was taken off complete, damage was done in the process and seats etc were removed. Even in this state I asked if I could save it on someone elses behalf, but this was flatly turned down.
Most of the bits are in a scrappies in Ogmore Vale.