sadly enough, nothing to do with her anymore

I was just 6 in 1994 so didnt know much about what was going on, she used to be owned by a chap called brian austen, and was kept down in cricklade. i think they bought her from a scrapyard, with another whirlygig (i forget which serial) for about £12k… my dads friend john, spent the summer rebuilding her engine and servicing various components, though i believe she had had a major before being put up for sale.

I remember first seeing her, and being absolutely terrified at the prospect of flying in her (not quite knowing what it was :D)

had some great fun in her, went allover the place with dad “mini aircrew” or something to that effect.

she was sold to her current owner in the late 90’s (1998?) and departed for ireland soon after, my father and his friend john (who serviced her and put her back in the air) were really rather sad to see her leave,

realistically, Id love to get her back in the country, with the help of my father and john who knows whats possible! certainly doesnt cost as much as a spitfire 😀

G-BVGE “XJ729” (my signiature pic when we were at RIAT with her in 1995) currently in ireland last whirlygig to be flying (she still does)

dont fancy one of these then?

http://www.everettaero.com/gnome.html

:diablo:

i would have thought a gnome would be easier to come by than any of the old alvis engines, though the very early marks were powered by a wright cyclone… depends where you’re prepared to go to get one i suppose 🙂

All are excellent choices, are they in order or would any do? (TSR.2 goes top! :D)

thanks for the pictures 🙂 always sad to see any aircraft meet her end, i hate the way the phantoms have ended up 🙁

thanks again 🙂

id also like to challenge his spelling of “whinge” :diablo:

recieved in reply to the signing of the petition

“We’re glad to tell you there is absolutely no truth – and never has been – in the idea that the Government has banned the Red Arrows from the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Prime Minister was delighted to see the role the Red Arrows played in the celebrations on the Mall after the Beijing Games, and they have always played a significant part in great festivals of celebration in Britain in recent years. Indeed, the Red Arrows played a memorable role when they flew over Trafalgar Square in 2005 to mark London winning the Games.

Decisions on the nature of the Olympic opening ceremony are a matter for the 2012 organising committee, and with four years to go, they have not made their decisions yet. However, the Prime Minister has made clear he would be delighted to see the Red Arrows perform in the celebrations in 2012.

We asked Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Minister, to pass on her comments as well:

She said:

“I am delighted that so many people have shown how important the Red Arrows are to them by signing this petition. To their millions of fans, the Red Arrows demonstrate all the best elements of being British of which we are so rightly proud. As we have made clear on many occasions, it is just not true that the Government has in some way banned the Red Arrows from being involved in 2012. Nothing, in fact, could be further from the truth.

The Red Arrows flew over London the day we won the Games in 2005 – and they took to the skies again in August, on another special day for London 2012, as we marked the end of the Beijing Olympics and the start of the run-up to our Games. I know Gordon was as delighted as I was that the Red Arrows were able to play such a prominent role, a fitting end to an Olympics that had been such a triumph for Great Britain. While it is up to the 2012 Organising Committee to decide what form the ceremonies in 2012 should take and who should participate, I am very clear in my own mind that the Red Arrows should be part of London’s welcome to the world in four years time. And I know Seb Coe shares my view.” “

HOW has Tessa Jowell kept her job?! she’s been various ministers now and has managed to ****** all of her positions up!