The land the Vanguard and VC10 are on is now owned by Damlier Chrysler, so the aircraft will be moving soon. The Viking, Varsity, Viscount, Vanguard VC10, 1-11 and Concorde will all be moving into what is now the gravel, overflow carpark, between where the Varsity has been and the banked race track, and between the acoustics building and river if you are familier with the site.

The Viking is still being restored in the Wellington hangar, and will join the other aircraft later. Concorde will hopefully be coming this summer and I understand that a building will go up almost immediately for that, or once we raise the £1 million. Think we will be waiting many years to see the others undercover, but it is planned to put a large roof over them. Don’t know whether a ‘normal’ hangar would fit over them all. Not sure if it has been finally decided what the building will look like, but I’ve been told it may have a glass front to it at least, and maybe more than just the front. When I mentioned the Eden project I said it may be similar to that to look at, but it must have a number of alterations to suit our purpose, so it doesn’t get too hot and humid in there. These are only plans at the moment and are likely to keep changing until anything is built.

D-C have said they will supply us with a carpark and grass runway on their land.

Steve

Airbedane,

Think the shows are great, not been to many better places than OW. Think it would be a shame if it all becomes too commercialised, ruin the lovely quiet atmosphere the place has, it what sets it apart from Duxford, Biggin etc.

Personally I would like to see a more original engine on the Boxkite, (Gnome 50hp is it?). Sure there aren’t too many of these engines lying about anymore, but if you could get hold of one be interesting to see what difference it make in performance. Don’t know if or when Blackburn due for strip down, but be nice if engine could be put on Boxkite for a while when work is being done, guess it would require too much work to modify Boxkite for that but just a thought.

I think with Shuttleworth, more than any other airshow you get the real aviation enthusiast there, and it may be nice for one of the aircraft not flying in the show to be placed public side of the fence so people can get a very close look around it- may require too many people looking after it though to make sure kiddies don’t poke their fingers through it etc. Alternatively, have one from another museum there to get a close look at, with its own team to speak to the public, possibly steps to get a peak in the cockpit or something. I’m thinking of things like WW1 aircraft or similar where few people have had the chance to have a close look at one, and would be able to see more detail of the aircraft which you can’t get close enough to see on the flightline or in the hangar. An original aircraft or possibly an accurate replica would be good to see.

Last thing is more perks for SVAS members. Shuttleworth has a unique collection of aircraft and on non-event days it may be nice to have a gathering of the members, looking at a couple of aircraft in the collection. Decide on a couple of aircraft to take out, have a good detailed showing around of the aircraft, possibly display it, maybe lectures on what they are like to fly, and look after engineering wise. I think members might be keen to learn more about the aircraft. Sure it would mean a small rise in membership prices, but I’d be willing to pay it, and more people may join up to be members.

As I said originally though, Shuttleworth is a superb place and I wouldn’t like to see a great deal of change there- its not needed as far as I can see, its still the best around.

Steven

One very last thing Andy, get flying the aircraft again this year, been missing your displays!