Thinking out loud, Radio / Radar altimeter? Bex

Good point Creaking Door, mind you reading Sandy Woodwards book, our Gov didnt seem to keen on going via the UN either, he gives the impression that Mrs T & the gang were going flat out for a fight. Both us & the Junta were using Falklands to distract the home front from other issues. Bex

Quite right Bex, it may have been down to the national pride of a couple of Argentine Admirals, but the ‘sophisticated’ knowledge of the British government of the time should have reacted to what was happening down there, it was b#### obvious, I could see the alarm bells ringing when the ‘Scrap Merchants’ arrived, and the incident was all over News At Ten, so why was nothing done, was it all to do to with not revealing the position of British nuclear subs when we were still involved in the Cold War.

Re the SSN’s Pete, thats highly possible. I was 8 at the time so I dont remember too much, but I believe there was another trigger to the Argentinians invasion, that was the sale of HMS Hermes to India / Pakistan? The Junta thought we had, I think it did get sold but because of the Invasion I think the new owners were told “Er you can have it when it comes home and we’ll try not too bend it” and then the Junta & his nutty Admirals got a nasty shock when we turned up with 2 Aircraft Carriers. Now as I say I was 8 and what I have mentioned above is what Ive heard & read since. Bex

I’ve always considered that the entire conflict was down to the Argentine Military Junta.

If we blame the Junta then look closer, the invasion was actually planned by 2 Argentine Admirals who persuaded Galtiari to go for it. However, also we are to blame to a point, if the GOvernment hadnt been so concerned with military cutbacks, ignored the Argentine “testers” and basically hadnt messed up with Foreign Policy by allowing those idiots in the Foreign Office to ignore the Islanders hopes of being British citizens giving the Junta plenty of signs we werent bothered about the Falklands, then it might not have happened. Bex

Having sat and read 3 pages of posts, I hope this hasnt been said before but:
We have seen 2 Vulcans in 12 months get the chop, not good at all, but, hopefully lessons will be learned.
1. Placing preserved airframes in high security areas is good for keeping the oiks out but bad for volunteers & public viewing:

2. Strict group rules of “Ex such & such staff only” is very short sighted, how would they aim to look after the airframe after they become too old or deceased etc without “new blood” learning the tricks of the trade. Im no aircraft expert but I have been given a chance to learn and make sure an airframe doesnt get any worse.

3. I may get shot down in flames for this but: H&S in theory is excellent providing common sense is allowed to prevail but not very often. I for one, will only work on the top of my aircraft if there is other team members around, if I am alone I stay ground level.

This is all I can think of but I look forward to the views of others, finally as said before, any news or photos out there? Bex

Why, that’s our boootiful Bristol Britannia, G-ANCF , recently moved from Kemble to Speke and about to be restored to stunning static display.

If you’d like to stop by, with overalls and a paint brush….

Roy.

Roy if it wasnt for 2 things Id be there: 1: bit far to travel & 2: I got me hands full being a “Billy no mates” on our museums Cranberry PR7. :diablo:

Looks like you got ya hands full though, look forwards to seeing how you get on.

Bex

WB – Although the radar was not installed in XL500, it should not be too much of an issue as it sits very close to the C of G. The aircraft seems quite nose heavy unballasted as there is some serious steel where the boxes were in the radar operators station and also a fair chunk of lead in tail near the hook.I suspect it could have flown in that configuration as its last flights were for prop testing with Dowty.

Bex – I recall Tornado F2s had Blue Circle initially, and our Phantoms used it for ferry flights to major servicings.

C6 – photos soon (both). Clue – there is only one other;)

Sounds like an interesting history to the aircraft ET, when you sort ya photos out are we gonna get some internals? Ive got a sort of internal shot of the Rad Ops position of XL472 if anyone wants a look, but its too big for the forum, PM me with an email addy folks.

I didnt know Phantoms were fitted with Blue Circle, kewl,(Shame ive finished my 1/48 FGR2 LoL) didnt the AEW Nimrods get it fitted for a while?

Bex