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WJ897

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Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)
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  • in reply to: Anniversary of the accident to Vickers Varsity T1 WJ897. #742060
    WJ897
    Participant

    This year is the 40th anniversary of the accident which befell WJ897 / G-BDFT. A small group of relatives and survivors will be gathering at the site to mark the occasion. Unfortunately in the 15 years which have elapsed since the last such gathering, some contact details are no longer working. If you’re a relative or if you know of one who would like to attend, please message us here or via the website’s contact page: https://varsitywj897.wixsite.com/varsity-wj897. Thanks  

    in reply to: Lancaster NX664 Restoration #772056
    WJ897
    Participant

    Might a Facebook page be worth creating re WU21 / NX664? There was quite a Facebook presence for the Edmunston Lancaster AR10 KB882 which now has a more certain future at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. Just thinking about generating interest / crowd funding and possibly volunteering opportunities – not denigrating the work being done which looks to be of exceptionally high standard!

    in reply to: Classic Flight Announce Newquay Closure #866384
    WJ897
    Participant

    The work on WJ945 looks like a real labour of love, I hope I get the chance to visit wherever it ends up!

    in reply to: Classic Flight Announce Newquay Closure #869352
    WJ897
    Participant

    Varsity WJ945 has been put back together and the Newquay volunteers have painted it in 1950s silver; with a vested interest in Varsities I really hope G-BEDV, the sister ‘civilian’ Varsity to G-BDFT, is saved in one piece, particularly after such a good job has been done restoring it!

    in reply to: Forlorn Phantom #912273
    WJ897
    Participant

    I’ll just leave this here… I’d love to see a Phantom at Newark Air Museum. :angel:

    in reply to: Vikings, Varsities and Valettas #1048621
    WJ897
    Participant

    Thanks for posting all these photos. Today is the eve of the 27th anniversary of WJ897’s accident, so it’s good to see something about the Varsity again. We’ve links to all the surviving Varsities we know about on the website here: http://wj897-lapg.moonfruit.com/#/links/4543125139 but hadn’t seen recent pictures of the Tegel Airport one; at least it looks as though restoration may be beginning!
    Still searching for the elusive in-service pics of WJ897.

    in reply to: Most Interesting Wreck Sites In The World #1099761
    WJ897
    Participant

    One story which amazes me because its never been made into a Hollywood movie is what happened to the Liberator ‘Lady Be Good‘, and its crew. I know it’s no longer in situ and politically a bit difficult too, but a story begging to be told visually, and it would easily make an hour!

    WJ897
    Participant

    Hi Michaela,
    A PM has been sent. Please also take a look at
    http://wj897-lapg.moonfruit.com
    which you might find interesting!

    in reply to: Vickers Varsity Cockpit photographs? #1203518
    WJ897
    Participant

    This is also from Varsity WF369 at Newark showing the cockpit roof panel.

    in reply to: Vickers Varsity Cockpit photographs? #1205390
    WJ897
    Participant

    There’s a photo of the cockpit of WJ897 in my original thread “Anniversary of the accident to Vickers Varsity T1 WJ897”.

    in reply to: Farnborough Met Flight #1169897
    WJ897
    Participant

    Farnborough Varsity

    I think this will be Varsity WF425 which went to Duxford after retirement where it ended up being scrapped…

    in reply to: Anniversary of the accident to Vickers Varsity T1 WJ897. #1232466
    WJ897
    Participant

    Many thanks to Bill@Ballykellybrat for the Pilots Notes for the Varsity AP4331A-PN; a picture speaks a thousand words (particularly when it has a numbered key!). A true gent.

    This is WJ’s flight deck.

    in reply to: Anniversary of the accident to Vickers Varsity T1 WJ897. #1235354
    WJ897
    Participant

    This is the Varsity taken at Syerston.

    in reply to: Anniversary of the accident to Vickers Varsity T1 WJ897. #1235804
    WJ897
    Participant

    Varsity WJ897

    The Varsity was on its way to Liverpool Airshow at Speke that day and was flying in formation with a Cessna so that air-to-air photos could be taken. I have a rather poignant photo taken before the aircraft set off from Castle Donnington which shows a document titled “Liverpool Airshow” lying on the navigators workstation. The Varsity had flown from its base which was indeed at RAF Syerston. Its hanger has since been demolished.
    I contacted Keiron when his post appeared (it actually caused me to join the forum!), but he hasn’t replied so far.
    Deb

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 14 (of 14 total)