NevH…you have the same video as I have. I know what you mean about the final section, some lovely soundtrack of the merlin, as ‘434 climbs up through the clouds, and then back down on the deck, with a few shots of the view from the cockpit.
I am at work (oops), but when I get home this evening will look up the producer’s details and serial number of the VHS – you can then contact them online (if they are still in business) to see whether they do a DVD.
NevH“Victory should remain on the navy list, and remain where she is, where the sea breeze can still blow across her decks – not as a commercially exploited “dry-exhibit” encased in a museum building somewhere (probably licensed for Wedding receptions and kids parties!!).”
A some what different tack from a lot of people on this forum, who believe that all planes outside should be moved inside post haste.
Different rules for boats than?
I would never seek to impose any “rules” on anyone else. It is merely my own (humble) opinion. But you have to agree that most aircraft are a bit smaller than Victory! It’s a question of practicality as well as opinion or emotion: when you think about it, it would have to be a bloomin’ big “hangar” to put Victory in – even the B52’s fin at Duxford isn’t as tall as as “Victory’s mainmast! Unless you were going to remove most of the masts, I think it would be very difficult (and expensive) to construct a building to house her: and housing the hull in such a cut-down state would be a bit of a travesty (imho). It’s different with something like “Mary Rose” or “Vasa” where because of the state the vessel was in when recovered it is physically impossible to re-instate all the original masts, spars etc.
The only location where such an “under-cover” approach might work would be to remove Victory to Chatham Dockyard (where she was built of course), clear out the No.3 dock and house under cover there in a sort of “re-fit” diorama. Actually, I quite like the sound of that, hmmmm But you could imagine what Pompey would have to say about that!!
NevHWhat a lovely-looking model! I assume it flies off water – anywhere in particular?
NevHPerhaps MoD is considering selling “Victory” to the Indian or Brazilian navy, or something?! I think there’s a bit of politics going on here: maybe MoD is “going public” in an attempt to nudge the Treasury into committing some long-term support to Victory. But given recent episodes like flogging-off Bentley Priory, and I’m no longer sure.
I find the conservation argument a bit over-done; I am sure it does cost a lot of money to preserve (or should that be re-build??) this vessel (which probably now consists of less than 50% of the timber of the ship that fought at Trafalgar), but the US manage to keep “Constitution” in good order, and the “Tricomalee” (ex-Foudrayant) now at Hartlepool is only some 40 years younger than Victory, but her hull survived donkey’s years in Portsmouth Harbour without being “conserved”. Victory should remain on the navy list, and remain where she is, where the sea breeze can still blow across her decks – not as a commercially exploited “dry-exhibit” encased in a museum building somewhere (probably licensed for Wedding receptions and kids parties!!).
NevHHave there been any SERIOUS plans to get one of the two remaining TSR-2’s airborne again. There are two zero timed engines at gatwick and two airframes to pick, I think XR220 is the most intact. Would this require BAe’s permission as with the vulcan, I have herd that this is stopping XL231 from becoming airborne again. It would be amazing to see one flying again
I reckon your best bet is to wait and see if anyone tries to get a scale flying model airborne somewhere (best keep your head down if one ever does get off the ground, could be lethal!). Or get the 1/48 Airfix kit, and throw it out of the window (a metaphor for what HMG at the time when you think about it: make sure you break it up after buidling it, and burn the instruction sheet for good measure……)
NevH[QUOTE=Proctor VH-AHY;1288403]Just out of interest, how far does the Vulcan need to fly to attend these airshows.
Here in Australia a short distance would likely be about 500nm
Price of fuel over here, 50 nm is a long way….!
Nev.
PS: still waiting to receive my invite to the “thank-you day”, for all those who have made any financial contribution over the course of the project over the last 10 years or so………………….
NevHHow about aviation-related pub-signs? (a subject that has graced the Forum from time-to-time). There are some published works on this subject, I believe, so you could pick a selection of those that interest you, and see what connection (if any) there may be to the local area. Depends on your time and ability to travel, I guess. It could be fun researching and filming it (interiors too of course, filmed over a pint!!!).
Actually, that sounds so good I may even try it myself…
NevHMotor Books is in St Martin’s Court (I think) a narrow pedestrian passage between St. Martin’s Lane and Charing Cross Road. Nearest Tube (underground Station) is Leicester Square, but it’s only 5 mins walk from Trafalgar Square. Well worth a visit. As the name implies, the bookshop is divided into several units, one dealing with militaria, another transport, generally. An added bonus is the “Marquis of Salisbury” pub just opposite in St. Martin’s Lane.
Or there’s the Ian Allen Bookshop South of the Thames next to Waterloo Station in a road called “the Cut” (there’s a street market there often). The bookshop is at the Waterloo Road end. I imagine both establishments are on the web so you can check their details. Ian Allen majors in railway and transportation, but there’s some military stuff there too. (watch the dodgy trainspotter-types lurking around – with apologies to “dual enthusiasts” on the forum !! )
NevHIf anyone’s got a spare half million pounds or so around. We can find the drawings and would be happy to oblige!! :diablo:
A cost-related factor may be insurance (in a public display context?) I know the Shuttleworth Hind does not display with a passenger, possibly for this reason, neither the Brisfit (or the LVG when it was at Old Warden). Although transit flights may carry human ballast (form a queue!). I guess that might reduce the attractiveness for someone wanting to display a 2-seater, perhaps.
Wasn’t the RE8 supposed to be a bit of a handful for pilots? Go the whole hog and build a HP 0/100 or /400!
NevH£300 for painting? I was offered £35 for one of mine last week. I don’t think he understood why I answered **** off. Different worlds I think.
Best Wishes.
Robert.
Yes, I do the occasional daub myself, but would be lucky to get an offer! I think membership of GAVA automatically adds a premium to what you sell. All the same, quite right to hold out for more for your work. On holidays and such around the country I have seen some truly cr*ppy pictures (on all subjects, not just aviation) on sale for £££’s and felt I could do at least as well.
At the GAVA exhibition, most of the larger oils by the top painters are excellent, but I’m sure that “the name” accounts for a significant part of the price. Same thing with the Society of Marine Painters, etc. Then again, painters like Roy Cross were “jobbing” artists for years in the commercial world before they really cracked it and became big names, so good luck to them!!
NevHGAVA Exhibition starts Monday at the Mall Galleries in London (On the Mall, just past Admiralty Arch), from 5pm (unless you have a ticket for the Opening event), Monday 21th – 27th July. I managed to pick up a very nice gouache/watercolour of a spitfire above the clouds by Howard Jeans a few years ago for about £300 (that’s when I could afford such luxuries), which isn’t that much more than you’d pay for a top-whack signed /remarqued print now:o:o.
But again, you would need to be there on the dot of 5pm or even a bit before to stand a chance of picking something reasonably-priced. In fact, I have got there at the start of the reception at 12.30 to find a suspiciously large number of entries already had the dreaded little red dot stuck on the frame (so the lucky few obviously get first pickings of what they want before the event opens to everyone else).
Needless to say, there are always some fabulous paintings there: I work all of 5 yards from the galleries, so know where I’ll be going every lunch break next week!
NevHI always think the penultimate scene in The Dambusters is very poignant, when you see the alarm clock quietly ticking on the shelf, sports memorabilia, and other bits of personal stuff in the quiet, empty rooms of the crew who aren’t coming back. Understated, but cleverly done and says it all.
NevHFor those of you moaning about getting in all I can say is you should get there earlier. I have never had a problem getting in to any airshow (and I’ve been to well over 100 all around the country in the last 20 years) as I leave early.
A massive well done to the organisers for a cracking display. Best since ’94 and I’ve been going since late 80’s.
That’s fair comment, I agree. In my bachelor/pre-family days I used to do just that, but circumstances this year meant a later morning start. I have laid it on the line that if we go next year, we will arrive for breakfast! On the other hand, we set off at more-or-less the same time last year, and got in no problem, so travel to the event doesn’t have to be a traumatic nightmare if the planning and traffic management goes properly.
As for the quality of the display, I have always thought Biggin offered a good variety, and, despite some key “no-shows” this year, managed to maintain the tradition. With such a broad crowd, including many who reasonably don’t know their elevators from their undercarriage it has to be that way. Anyway, I feel a visit to Old Warden coming on, as the perfect antidote to “big show” syndrome!
NevHI agree, the travel situation was totally chaotic. I live in Selsdon, normally 20mins to Biggin, took 2 hours to get inside the gate!! To be perfectly honest, it really soured the day, I was ready to blow my top by the time I got there, and started worrying about how to get out almost immediately.
Coming in from Keston, in the past there has always been a traffic Warden or two or police motorcyclist on duty to merge traffic at bottlenecks, but absolutely none in evidence this year, certainly from 10-Midday. Saw a couple of plods on motorcycles stooging around, but no attempt at traffic management. Apparently there was an accident somewhere “up the road” that caused the gridlock – and the sunny weather and record numbers caused the rest. Apparently they had to close the gates by early afternoon, so a good pay-day for Air Displays International at least (they will be able to afford XH558 next year:D).
As for the displays, yes, some good stuff. I always love the glider displays, and the B25 put on a very spirited display (as did the Mirage 2000). The kids loved the whizzes and bangs of the RAF display. The Vimy seemed to be absent, which was a big shame. At the end of the day, I was glad to get home for a cup of tea, and am in two minds about next year (but let’s face it, will probably go!!).
NevHRe.Biggin
The weather on Sunday looks better. It will be good to see the Vimy replica again (a browse in the photo album shows its been quite a few years since the last appearance). Nice too to see the Sea Hawk again (Vixen would be better, maybe next year).
Interesting experience last year: we had just left the airfield and were driving past the perimeter fence just as the Reds were opening up for a formation take-off. Ours is a mid-size family car, but boy did it rock in the breeze! Sent quite a few freeloaders (sorry, spectators/photographers situated outside the event) running for cover!!
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