I think John Travolta also owned a Constellation once but it did not get airworthy and i remember it can be seen in the background in a film (con air maybe?) as the director mentions it in the commentary.

curlyboy

Can’t find any referances for it at the moment, but going by memory I’ve read that Travolta did fly the aircraft as co-pilot on an intended ferry flight across the states. He was trying to get it to a restoration shop on the other side of the country, but two engines had to be shut down and they had to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport (Ryan field, Tucson, Arizona), where the aircraft then sat until Vern Raburn came along several years later.

Edited to add: I should perhaps have mentioned that the Connie in question was N949TW, what became the MATS Connie and now sadly static in South Korea.

It’s worth mentioning that the ‘door’ on the starboard side wasn’t really a door at all, but was in fact a panel that could be jettisoned in an emergency (particularly important if the aircraft came to rest inverted).

Don’t give anybody ideas, that Comet 1 at Cosford has only just got a roof over its head after decades of outdoor display. I can’t think of anywhere else it might go where it would get the same treatment. That said, I’m all for a Nimrod joining the RAFM collection. So many large aircraft to preserve, so little indoor space to preserve them in…

As others have said, it looks wonderful and I can’t wait to see it in person. Just out of curiosity, is this a long-term paint job or something applied for the BofB 70th anniversary year? Any chance of the second ‘Area 51’ Buchon (the one that still has it’s BofB movie mods) being painted up to make a pair?? Pretty please??

Terrible news, my condolences go out to the families and friends of those lost. 🙁

Is it really necessary to have such a graphic picture in the item? Pretty distasteful if you ask me. 🙁

I think again the wings wouldn’t quite match, the C.2 had RR Avons whereas the 1’s had the Dh Ghosts. This meant a wing root re-design, and although the C.2 wings might just fit a C.1 fuselage, I think it would still be noticeable.

In addition, the Lyneham Comet is the very last C.2 anywhere, and it would be a shame to see it broken up. 🙁

Thanks Ed, it might be that she’s not mentioned in the Franks book becuase he wasn’t counting Dodge trips.

Good luck with the search for a picture, I’m afraid I’ve drawn a blank.

Hello Julie,

I’m sorry to hear of the passing of your father, as others have said he seems to have been quite a character and a man with a great career to his name.

You might find the following link of interest, it’s a great site that gives details of all the surviving Victors including both complete aircraft and cockpit sections/simulators.

http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/victor/survivors.php

I hope it’s of some interest and use. 🙂