I have experienced the CAA in all their bureaocratic and seemingly overpriced madness and can see why people find them to be a restrictive organisation but (and its a big but) I personally think they do an outstanding job of maintaining public safety.

There is no way that a fast jet could be operated in a ‘no risk to public’ way over the UK skies on a limited budget. So, the soloution is unfortunatley straightforward. Personally I am amazed a CAA inspector ever signed on the dotted line for XH558. I would love to see a lightning (as well as many other types!) fly but I just don’t think its worth the possible risk of a major accident involving death or serious injury.

Just my opinion of course!!!

Have a look here for Cosfords storage hanger

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=40768

No, I have never landed an aircraft wheels up and neither have I flown a P51 however I do fly smaller aircraft myself.

Just thought that gear up landing looked a little too close for comfort when, unless there was some other issue, it didn’t need to be!!!

Rich

The RAFM have some storage at Cosford as well as at Stafford.

Check out the pictures I took in this thread

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=40768&highlight=cosford+storage+hanger

They were taken before the cold war hanger opened so probably some more room in there now!

Rich

As someone who studied aeronautical engineering at university you can appreciate the beauty in the design of almost any aircraft. Generally nothing is done by accident and its the reasoning behind the simplicity/complexity/colour etc… that makes an aircraft interesting.

I must confess however – the Falke motor glider is pretty dull.

Rich

As a very small part of the huge team that staged the events and displays at RAF Cosford this year I can honestly say that I enjoyed the day more than I have in previous years. Not due to the flying display (which was never going to be fantastic based on the really quite awful visibility and low cloudbase) but due to the response from members of the public. I everyone I spoke to seemed to be having a fantastic day out although admittedly this was before anyone had tried to go home!

Rich

I collect any interesting aviation related artefacts – usually stuff of a mechanical nature. I short list would be:

Blades from RB199, Adour and Avon engines
An engine centre cone from an RB199
AV8B Harrier 2 stick grip
Various flight instruments
Mk1 Helmet x2
Soviet O2 Mask
A Wessex tail rotor blade
A couple of aircraft compasses

Rich