R J A TaylorRichard,
The aircraft was positively identified as N248 back around ’79 following an article in Aeroplane Monthly’s Preservation Profile series. When you look at her in the Solent Sky museum and compare with S1595 in the Science Museum the differences are very apparent, and its a bit odd that she had been misidentified for so long.
Cheers
Ralph
Much appreciated Ralph – hope you liked my 1968 colour shot.
I suppose this means that the aircraft I photographed back then was the one suspended in the air as part of a ‘piece of art’ 😮 commissioned by Lord March at the 2004 Goodwood ‘Festival of Speed’ !!!
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=27993&highlight=Supermarine+S6
Richard
R J A TaylorRichard,
I cannot speak with authority, but it would seem that is the case.
Did you take a colour shot of K9942 in the new markings SD-V on it first airing?
Mark
I’m so sorry ‘Mark’ but I only managed to get a b&w shot of K9942 ‘SD-V’ I’m afraid !!! Colour neg. film in those days was a bit of a luxury for me – a bit pricey, so I only had one 12 neg colour film with me on that day and I had exhausted my 12 shots by the time I got to the Spit.
I did get this b&w shot however – even then I was pushing my luck, so it seems, as this was the last shot on the spool and it looks like I tried to get a 13th neg. from a 12 neg film and the whole of the tail of the aircraft was excluded from the printable neg.!!! Oh well – such was the life of a (poor!) 23 year old aviation enthusiast in those days – without the advantages of today’s ‘digi’ photography. 😮
Richard
R J A TaylorB*gger, I’ll dump it then. 🙂
I actually took the shot on the roof of Terminal 2(?) at Heathrow circa 1958.
Mark
Nice shot ‘Mark’ – this was obviously the one you mentioned in a previous thread which was on public display on the “Queen’s Building” at Heathrow in the late ’50s. Am I right – that this shot is of ‘S1596’, the same aircraft that the RAFM had on display in September 1968, on London’s Horseguards Parade during ‘Battle of Britain’ Week, as part of the RAF’s 50th Anniversary celebrations ?
Here’s a shot I took of ‘S1596’ on Horseguards in 1968 – one of the very few coloured photos taken by me of the aircraft on public display during that occasion .
I have been somewhat confused for some time over the exact identity of the surviving S6 seaplanes.
From the postings on this thread can I now definately take it that the aircraft in both your photo and mine is the one on display in Southampton’s ‘Solent Sky’ collection as S.6A ‘N248’ ?
Richard
R J A TaylorK.A.Merricks book (pub. 1980) on the Halifax states Halton G-AHDM Falmouth went from BOAC to Aviation Traders; then to Westminster Airways; then converted as Reindeer G-AFOH for film No Highway. So Mr. Creosote takes the prize.
Apparently the film was later released in the States, in September 1951, under the title “No Highway in the Sky“
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Highway_in_the_Sky
A rather interesting side angle to this ‘Reindeer’ thread – In 1957 the UK reg’n ‘G-AHDM’ was re-allocated (appropriately enough) to the Miles HDM.105 (High-aspect ratio winged ‘Aerovan’ (formerly G-AJOF) ).
There’s a link to a post by ‘Transportraits’ in a previous forum thread which has more info. http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1081785
Photo link: http://www.miniplane.cn/Contributions/Shumaker/3885.htm
Richard
R J A TaylorGossip shouldn’t be listened to, ………….
Richard, by drawing attention to the thread you mention you ARE adding to the speculation and I must ask why? You keep bringing this subject up when the likely reason for the aircraft moving is, as pointed out elsewhere in this thread, its winter maintenance. On the thread that you point out Martin K makes a statement on behalf of the management of LAHC, if there was any substance to all of this don’t you think they would have commented?
So far there has been one complaint from someone that his son wasn’t allowed to look in the Spitfire unless £30 was paid, the Panton Brothers charge £25 for a look in Just Jane and rightly so, these aircraft cost money to maintain. Remember there is always two sides to a story and none of us were present when the request by Billyh42 for ‘a look in the Spitfire’ was made. Lets not slam Sqn Ldr Day who has done much for the historic aircraft scene in the last 20? years flying with BBMF and many civilian Spitfires and Hurricanes on what may well have been a complete misunderstanding by one individual.
I am deeply saddened to have been deemed to be fuelling speculation by my posts in this thread. Nothing could be further from my mind I can honestly assure you.
When I started this thread I was simply curious, after having read the LAHC website, as to why this Spitfire had apparently departed East Kirkby “for the last time” (as the caption stated under a photo of ‘MJ627’).
After a few replies had been posted I could see that the current whereabouts of this aircraft was possibly known to a few fellow ‘forumites’ but that there was a developing risk that the “2+2=5” speculators might decide to contribute and, in doing so, could lead us to exactly where we appear to be at this time on this thread!!
I certainly had no ulterior motives, DBW, for inserting the link to the earlier thread on the ‘Photographic sub forum’ – it was simply another recent thread which referred to ‘627 and the comments posted there reflected an interesting insight, especially the quoted response attributed to Andrew Panton.
I made a promise to ‘Fluffy’ (off forum) that I would NOT FUEL SPECULATION on the subject of ‘627s whereabouts OR the possible reasons behind the move from EK – I INTEND TO STAND BY THAT PROMISE.
I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY THAT THIS THREAD HAS DEVELOPED IN THE WAY IT HAS – SO AS NOT TO ALLOW UNACCEPTABLE SPECULATION ON THIS SUBJECT TO ESCALATE I AM PERSONALLY MORE THAN HAPPY TO ECHO THE COMMENT MADE EARLIER BY ‘FLUFFY’ –
“THIS THREAD SHOULD NOW BE LOCKED”
Suffice to say – the definitive answers to my original question will, I expect, become clarified over time. I am happy to wait for that time.
Richard
R J A TaylorSo where is ‘627 based now it’s left East Kirkby?
Chris
This thread might help.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=77017
Plenty of ‘speculation’ – I’m sure the true reason for the departure of this Spit from EK will eventually surface over time.
Richard
R J A Taylor
its the time of year in which old aeroplanes get fettled.. I dont believe its anymore sinister than that.. 😉
HI NEIL – CAN YOU HAVE A QUICK LOOK AT YOUR PERSONAL E-MAIL WHEN YOU’VE GOT A ‘MO’.
STILL NO DEFINITIVE NEWS IT SEEMS RE THIS SPIT. !! :confused:
Cheers
Richard
R J A TaylorCurrently housed just a stone’s throw away. A further poss move still being arranged!!
Thanks for all the recent sightings – but still no reasons been put forward for the (apparent sudden) move away from East Kirkby where the Spit was nicely under cover in the hangar behind Lancaster NX611 and added greatly to the exhibits at the LAHC, not to mention the frequent flying displays with ‘The Major’ at the controls.
By the way ‘Stormin’ can you be a little more exact in your location for “a stone’s throw away” – where is she currently being housed?
ANYONE GOT ANY IDEAS ??? – HAS SHE A NEW OWNER OR WHAT ?
Richard
PS I see others are asking the same question on this Forum :-
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1197170&highlight=MJ627#post1197170
R J A TaylorFrom the site you quoted: “Final Departure
The Spitfire takes off from East Kirkby for the last time. Spitfire MJ627 has left East Kirkby for the last time as it is relocated to another airfield.”
Thanks Mark V – That’s what I understood from the entry on LAHC’s site but do you know the reason behind the aircraft’s departure from EK and where she’s now being based ? I haven’t got the chance at the moment to pop over to ‘chat with the lads’ at EK to ask them for an update so was hoping someone on the Forum might know something.
Richard
R J A TaylorDid the Antonov fly into Woodford today does anyone know? And if so did it leave again or is it due out tomorrow?
Many thanks if anyone knows,
MH
I dashed up to Waddington this morning just in time to see the Antonov AN124 taxying in at approx 11.45am!!! Most of the crowd packing the Aircraft Viewing Area off the A15 missed her arrival and landing as well – even the people from Radio Lincolnshire were moaning that they’d missed the landing.
The Antonov was finally positioned on the perimeter track to the south east of the airfield facing towards the A15 framed from the road by the resident Vulcan XM607.
At approx 14.15hrs the fuselage section of Nimrod XV246 was seen to arrive infront of the gaping open front door of the Antonov – totally dwarfing the Nimrod. After some time the Nimrod was slowly drawn up the ramp and inside the Antonov’s cavernous fuselage.
Everyone was waiting in the bitter cold for some indication as to when the Antonov was likely to take off on its ferry flight to BAe Woodford – The word spread that she was hoping to depart at 16.00hrs but the cloudbase was still very low and the skies were getting even darker so it seemed a vain hope. Soon afterwards we heard that she would not now be leaving for Woodford until tomorrow (Wednesday 19th) morning – weather conditions permitting.
I have since heard that her hoped for take off time is now expected to be 10.30hrs tomorrow – we shall see !! I for one hope to be there.
Meanwhile here’s a few shots from today (nowhere near as good as those already posted by ‘VX927’ but still of interest I hope).
Richard
R J A TaylorIt was late getting to Waddo,should have landed at Woodford at 12:30 and depart at 16:00,the reason for the flight was to ferry a Nimrod R1 fuse for conversion to MRA4.
I dashed up to Waddington this morning just in time to see the Antonov AN124 taxying in at approx 11.45am!!! Most of the crowd packing the Aircraft Viewing Area off the A15 missed her arrival and landing as well – even the people from Radio Lincolnshire were moaning that they’d missed the landing.
The Antonov was finally positioned on the perimeter track to the south east of the airfield facing towards the A15 framed from the road by the resident Vulcan XM607.
At approx 14.15hrs the fuselage section of Nimrod XV246 was seen to arrive infront of the gaping open front door of the Antonov – totally dwarfing the Nimrod. After some time the Nimrod was slowly drawn up the ramp and inside the Antonov’s cavernous fuselage.
Everyone was waiting in the bitter cold for some indication as to when the Antonov was likely to take off on its ferry flight to BAe Woodford – The word spread that she was hoping to depart at 16.00hrs but the cloudbase was still very low and the skies were getting even darker so it seemed a vain hope. Soon afterwards we heard that she would not now be leaving for Woodford until tomorrow (Wednesday 19th) morning – weather conditions permitting.
I have since heard that her hoped for take off time is now expected to be 10.30hrs tomorrow – we shall see !! I for one hope to be there.
Meanwhile here’s a few shots from today.
Richard
R J A TaylorWas it Neil Williams whose Zlin wing started to fold up? He rolled it against the fold and flew inverted until near the ground when he rolled level again and got down safely.
Roger Smith.
YES INDEED IT WAS ROGER – On Wednesday 3rd June 1970 Neil was at RAF Hullavington, Wiltshire practicing for the World Aerobatic Championships (which eventually took place in July 1970).
He was flying in the blue & white Czech – built Zlin aircraft G-AWAR when this memorable incident took place and he was about 3 minutes into the flight when he radioed the tower to say he was in trouble. At less than 40 feet from the ground, on the grass parallel with the main runway, he managed to flip the aircraft over on its back and the wing tip of the undamaged wing hit the ground – the other wing having sheared off just beforehand.
Miraculously Neil clambered from the wreckage without any injuries. Two days later he was back in the air practicing again – demonstrating what a fantastic pilot he was !!
I have a press cutting from the Daily Mail of Saturday 6th June 1970 where Neil gave an account of this remarkable escape – I hope it’s readable here as an attachment. There’s another account of the incident at http://www.eaa309.org/News%20Letter/Mar02/page8/page6.html and a first hand report by Neil as published in Flight International of 18th June 1970 http://www.aerobatics.org.uk/repeats/zlin_wing_failure.htm
I have a personal reason to remember this event as I was at Hullavington on that eventful day working on Lancaster NX611 (‘Guy Gibson’ as she was then christened) in ‘Hangar Building 85’ at RAF Hullavington. We were busy at the time preparing the Lanc. for her impending flight to Blackpool ‘Squires Gate’ Airport so unfortunately didn’t actually witness Neil’s (‘controlled’) crash landing but soon became acutely aware very soon after !
Those of us working for ‘Reflectaire’ in the hangar at the time had our hearts in our mouths as details of the crash emerged – Neil was scheduled to be our pilot (once again) on the Lanc’s ferry trip to Blackpool so you can imagine our deep concern. This turned to audible relief at the news that he had walked away from the crash site and was OK.
As is now history – NX611 did indeed fly to Blackpool on Friday 26th June 1970 piloted by the 36 year old ‘legendary aviator’ Neil Williams, the man who in fact piloted ‘our’ precious Lancaster on every one of her flights since she returned to the UK from Australia on 13th May 1965.
Here’s a shot of Neil (2nd from right) as he made his way to the flight debriefing soon after he had successfully landed Lancaster NX611 / G-ASXX at Blackpool Airport following what has subsequently proved (to date anyway ! – I’m not going to revive that Forum subject here !!!) to be her last flight (RAF Hullavington, Wiltshire to Squires Gate on 26th June 1970).
THANK YOU NEIL – YOU ARE GREATLY MISSED.
R J A TaylorThe Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby hosted the Antiques Roadshow in August.
Hundreds of people turned up to have their treasures valued during the day and the first part of the show is to be screened on BBC1 at 9pm today.
But producers of the programme felt they had so much rich material that a second part of the show is to be screened next Sunday.
JUST A TIMELY REMINDER TO EVERYONE THAT PART 2 OF ‘ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’ FILMED AT EAST KIRKBY IS BEING BROADCAST TONIGHT (SUNDAY 18 NOV) AT 20.00HRS.
IF IT’s AS GOOD AS THE FIRST PART IT WILL MAKE GREAT VIEWING.
R J A TaylorI was trawling round the other day in a backup folder of old files on my PC and happened across a photo that was posted on the forum possibly about 5 years ago.
Someone had gone up to EK and taken some stunning shots of Just Jane at night in black and white. For the life of me I cannot find the old thread – forumites move on, threads get deleted, hosted images die and attachments are recycled.
Any ideas who it was?
Could it be Forum member “Hatton” – I have these in my files with ‘copyright Hatton’ – are these the photos you’re referring to ?
Richard
R J A TaylorAIRFIELD ARRESTER GEAR
Marston Moor nr wetherby had this system installed but it was soon curtailed as it tore the rear fuselages off the aircraft(halis,lancs stirlings) as they werent sufficiently strengthened when arrester hooks were fitted to take the shock, were there any other airfields which had this system,i knew the clerk of works who was based at marston moor,he related this story to me some years ago,the system was basically a large undergound pit which housed the winding gear and cable reel at the runways edge the cable then travelled across the runway to two pulleys mounted in tandem ,back across the runway to another pulley and then into the main pit ,leaving the twin cables stretched across the runway very simple really .:cool: 😎 😎
Hi Alan
By pure coincidence I visited the “Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre”
Museum at Tattershall Thorpe, on the B1192 south of Woodhall Spa, back in September and discovered that they have an example of this type of airfield arrester gear on display. I took a few photos (attached) – hope they are of interest. Place is well worth a visit – only a short drive north of RAF Coningsby.
I’ve also found an old shot of a Lanc with arrester hook and clearly shows arrester wires across runway. Afraid I don’t know which airfield involved.
I haven’t forgotten our other on-going pm subject – will post to your e-mail address asap.
Cheers
Richard
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