I feel such a fool. I have just spoken to Felicity Irwin personally (1925hrs) and have asked her about the funding for this project. Whilst it is not for me to reveal what was said, what she did tell me was —–very—— encouraging. Contrary to my previous posts which were very critical, I urge you to pledge some cash toward this project. On the strength of what Felicity has said, I have done my bit and put some money where my (sometimes, too big) mouth is. Get pledging. Remember, the money will only be called in if the HLF match the funds raised…

Paul

Well I think that TVOC have a lot of explaining to do.

I would love to see XH558 fly, but at least in taxiiable state, it would have been saved for the nation at Bruntingthorpe…

Now it is just a pile of bits that may be scrapped.

How to the people at TVOC sleep at night?

Half cocked ideas about 558 going to Duxford upon retirement e.t.c. e.t.c.

If XH558 is scrapped I am sad to day that I am done with aviation and ‘preservationists’. If this fails, how will it look when other more credible organisations try and get money from the lottery or the public???

What has happened to David Walton? He seems like quite a sensible chap? Does he still own 558′? Has he been misled too???

They will be looked upon in a very poor light I think.

I hope that she flies again, but I think not. Where are the national TV and radio adverts about 558′??? The non forum/aviotion magazine reading (but airshow going?) majority know nothing about this campaign…..

Also, what about all the fundraising that they have done already for 558′???

I remember giving £30 to a guy at Brunty so that my name would “be on the bomb door when she flies!”

Assuming that they were reckless/dishonest in that they knew full well that it was unlikely that they would obtain the funds to fly the aircraft… is’nt that obtaining property by deception???? (sec 15 of the theft act, 1968)

Paul.

Please don’t lambast me for saying this as I have not seen her for a while and I know that most of her systems work……..

Would 603′ not be suitable for a one time only ferry flight to a new destination as a military aircraft under the auspices of BAe Systems??? Rather like XR724 when she flew from Boscombe back to Binbrook?

I know that they solved the problem with the siezed engine and also that the new engine that they got was almost brand new???

Am I being naive?

Paul.

My Grandad joined the RAF as war broke out and apparently served with a number of different squadrons and on a variety of different aircraft from spitfire to stirling.

He worked on the free french sqaudron with their mitchells and was part of the 2nd tactical air force on d-day+2 when he went ashore at luc-sur-mer to assist in setting the runways up and maintaining typhoons e.t.c.

He was also one of the aircraft mechanics (corporal) in charge of britains prototype gloster meteor and was present when the first ever flight was made. He said the intake volume at full power was two and a half tonnes a minuite.

He was present at Thrapston when a rogue airman took an aircraft and tried to fly to germany but crashed in the sea.

He also flew over east anglia in the nose of a B-17 listening to the andrews sisters!

Loads of other stories but I though I would keep this short…

Frank passed away in 1999.

It might seem like a dumb question, but can jet pipes be re-manufactured/reconditioned.

How expensive would it be to do this?

Paul.

If you go to the Trocadero amusement arcade at PiccadillyCircus, you will find a (externally) complete Harrier Gr3 handing from the ceiling on one of the upper floors painted black and yellow.

What a waste.

Paul.:(

I think the Iraqi airforce may have a serious FOD issue that they need to resolve!

lol

What happened to the aircraft recovered in the sixties and seventies???

There were reports of Gerry Zwannenburg (sic) recovering complete aircraft at this time, complete with national markings and working guns, fully preserved equipment e.t.c.

Indeed, on one of my videos, ‘some of our airmen are no longer missing’ there is colour film which clearly shows a complete wing of a b24 with fuselage (seventies?) and all unfaded national markings in very shallow water… what happened to these aircraft???

Paul.