just what Iwas wondering Ian……..seems like someones already breaking the rules of signing up…

Current issue of the “other” comic has an article on Chinook ZA718 “BN” as part of a Falklands Conflict 25th anniversary issue (is it really that long ago – it seems like yesterday)

With such an important Operation Corporate history as the sole heavylifter for some time after the loss of the Atlantic Conveyor does anybody know if this airframe has been earmarked for preservation when it comes to the end of it’s service life?

In fact is there any system to do this with current RAF airframes – AHB listing or something?

I pray that she will be preserved for the future but there is life in the old girl yet. She is still making history. I have thought about starting a campaign, but it is fair to say that her RAF custodians recognise her part in history.

That said a letter to your MP copied to the AHB, RAFM, SoSD and the PM would help ensure she is on that list.

My first helio flt was in 718 when she was a Mk1, I was then proud to do over 200 hours flight test in her as a Mk2…so it is amazing to see not only her operational history but also her flight test career that helped pave the way for her sisterhood.

Anyone who poo poos Helios just needs to be shown 718 and her record.

Tom

I think your museum sounds great and right up there. During my tenure with the BAPC I had plenty of time to consider what is a good or not so good museum. They all had their plus points. Ken Ellis wrote a fantastic paper on the top things the public want from a survey…I shall try and find a copy. The top items were clean toilets and somewhere nice for a coffee. Aircraft came number 4 IIRC!!!

Often people have come a long way or want to take a break during the museum.

I take my girls to many many museums and the visit goes like this:-

Enter, toilet, rush hurridly past the gift shop (more for me than them!), look at half exhibits, coffee & a cake, toilet, other half, into shop for a souvenir toilet and home.

I am more interested in the human side of the story and aircraft parts, so love mixed displays of an aircraft with supplementary displays.
We use the 3 tier labelling format:

Big Font Title: Supermarine Spitfire Mk !
Medium Font : The Spitfire fighter was one of the main RAF fighters of the war…Mitchell, Merlin…..plus very little blah
Small Font: details of manufacturer, key dates, history of particular artefact etc.

This enables the public to pick out exactly what they want in the way of info.

We also like the use of easily approachable people to answer questions.

cheers and look forward to coming over one day!

Thank you all, the owner thought it was from a Miles Master. rivet you are corect it is AH on the brake lever. Are the part numbers listed Vickers Supermarine or the Air Ministry ?

AH is Dunlop, 300….is Supermarine and JCCL is the bicycle shop that made column parts….James Cycle Company Limited…I have a lovely advert for them somewhere

Olivier,

Sorry, I should have been clearer. VNE is the maximum speed in a dive (Velocity Not to Exceed)

Having had a quick browse, the Mosquito could achive 350+ mph in level flight with the single stage engines, and so it is reasonablt to assume that VNE would have been somewhere over 400 mph.

Bruce

To be pedantic VNE is indeed never exceed, but often there is a VD which is mad speed in a dive (design dive speed)

welcome old chap, and yes early Spitfire…..would love it if you don’t!!!:D 😀