What Hermann Goering would have given to see that!

Not having a smartphone, I can’t do that, but I must admit to being intrigued as to what it looks like.

Adrian

It’s another Barracuda – look at the undercarriage door, just above the one in front’s prop boss.

Adrian

G-BEOL most likely. It has such a colour scheme. It suffered a nose-wheel collapse at Weston-o-t-G earlier this year but has been restored to health I believe.

Tim

Tim, has BEOL been repainted following the repair? All the photos I can find have it in a mostly-white over a bit of blue scheme, whereas this one is definitely overall dark with a white reg, but has not yet come close enough to let me read it.

Adrian

I’m used to seeing G-PIGY trundling porcinely round the Kidlington area, but today there’s been a dark blue Skyvan doing the trundling. Has PIGY had a respray from white with blue trim, or is there another Skyvan around?

Adrian

It was indeed the Essex Aviation Group – though it’s some time since they had to vacate their Duxford premises (1999?), and I don’t know whether the group is still in existence. From a good poke round the intertubes, members here RAFRochford and Beaufighter VI are the chaps to ask about the EAG.

According to their book (which surfaced within two minutes today – moral, never post when knackered!) “The numerous exhibits on display, including engine parts and cockpit instruments and controls, etc. together with the tailwheel and various other components, were recovered by the Group in the autumn of 1976 with the aid of the Southend Ocean Divers” – while it was 37 years ago, that might give you some more clues to go on?

I’m afraid that’s probably all I can do to help…

Adrian

“Strewth, Blue, I know the F111 replacement was a while coming, but this is ridiculous!”

Seriously – a grand job, hope it plies Australian skies for many years to come. Well done, chaps!

Adrian

Although given how many times we’ve seen people at DX photographed holding up signs by containers saying things like “Chinese Stirling” or the like, it might just be that someone there has read this and is pulling our legs…

Adrian