David -the plan has to be credible to fire people’s imagination and for them to feel that their money isn’t going to be wasted! In the initial publicity it wasn’t exactly clear where it was going to go
and that I feel didn’t help. If its a case that it’s going to stay on the airfield – a reassurance from the landowners for a tenancy – a clear indication of the cost of moving it there and how much is required to actually buy the aircraft would help!

I agree with this to a point.
If everybody who liked the Facebook page donated a tenner then the project would have easily been funded and some. A tenner, although could be a lot of money for some isn’t the biggest amount to lose. The comparative remoteness of the airframe and the lack of information regarding the forward plan may put some people off donating but what’s a tenner? It’s a pack of fags or three pints. Hardly a big ask, considering what had been given to the other Shackleton (admittedly a lot better organised, but also not under immediate threat) or a certain Vulcan.

I did commit a decent sum, as sometimes a project requires a leap of faith by its supporters. Rather than just offering criticism, a tenner punt would have been better.

David Kavangh hit it right on the head. We had a chance to save this one. It may not be immaculate, but was in good condition and is more than saveable. It looks as though Orchards are getting another one.

Is there anything that can be done to make this thread higher profile? I just don’t see the donations reaching target. Is there a contingency plan in place should this happen?

If it was a Vulcan or a Spitfire I am sure the amount would have been raised by now. I’ve already put money into this and I hope others do so too. Otherwise the I fear the scrappy may still get her.

ISTR the aircraft was fully assembled after being released from Cosford

The two engines were sold, one of which went to a fellow forumite. I am sure if you read through the entire thread you may find out who it was.

The Shacks were released from Cosford as there was no real need to teach people the skills required to fix 1940’s aircraft technology. WR974, WR982 and WR985 were bought through the Gatwick Aviation museum.

Kind Regards
Scotty

Andy,

I have every respect for your opinion, but most people on this forum surely know the caveats associated with eBay and other online trading sites. The OP posted his comments, but really his beef should have been directed at the eBay authorities and to the person he was trading with. In his first few posts to my mind all but calls Sopwith / Bob a crook. Certainly reading what he had said is what impression is left in my head, and essentially although Sopwith does have the right of reply, if he didn’t do it immediately, the impression stays in people’s minds. I often work away from home for weeks at a time with no Internet access, and by not being able to reply immediately people may draw the wrong conclusion that I may be a crook if in similar circumstances.

There are other places to deal with this situation and the thread lost its aviation content a long time ago. I an surprised it has been allowed to run so long and I sincerely hope the thread gets removed or locked. A public aviation forum is not a place to vent grievances in such a manner.

Kind Regards
Scotty

You just wonder how many office workers would put up with climbing over the spars?

I think scrapping is going to be the real end of this aircraft. Sooner rather than later.

Kind regards
Scotty

The 2009 incident was not caused by the main rotor detaching, that was caused by catastrophic failure of the gear box. This was G-REDL which was an AS332L2, not an EC 225

I do work offshore, but not on rigs. The Puma is disliked by many as it is really uncomfortable to fly in. If in the seats were there is somebody facing you, there is no legroom, and legs often have to be intertwined. Smaller windows plus large guys in survival suits make these things hard to get out of. In an emergency, even more so. It is a credit to the training and coolness of the guys on the recent crash that so many survived.

If given the choice of a Puma or an S61 or S92, the puma will never be my first choice.

Perhaps give a thought to those guys who make sacrifices so you can fill your car or heat your home. Bosses argue that offshore workers get paid well, but as anybody in safety will tell you, no amount of money can compensate for the risk taking when it goes wrong.

Kind Regards,
Scotty