I think they are splitting hairs here – aren’t Delta Jets Hunters ‘stored and maintained’ between flying? :rolleyes: They don’t exactly fly every day like it was an operational RAF base!!

Planners like to split hairs. Hopefully that (sensible) argument will prevail, although it will be difficult to apply it to visiting aircraft that only stay for a few hours. The definition of ‘storage’ can be endlessly debated. A strong argument is that most non airline, non flying school aircraft in the UK spend most of their time ‘stored’ on their home airfield wating for someone to come and fly them.

They certainly picked the right day!

Mark, your shot of MH415 from 1997 – looks like the engine is running. My understanding is that it has never flown since around 1972 though?

Why not have a British backed, British built, Bristol Centaurus engined Unlimited Air racer and team? The Yanks say that they replaced the Bristol engines due to lack of usable spare parts and that they always need repair/maintenance.Ok, maybe this is true for day to day purposes but maybe not so for a purpose built racer.Surely the parts and needed knowhow must exist somewhere in England?

I do not quite follow. Operating the engine ‘day to day’ is problematic due to lack of parts and the need for regular maintenance? OK, agreed, but how do you then conclude that this ‘maybe’ not true for a purpose built racer? Racing aircraft get through many more spare parts and consumables and have a greater chance of wrecking themseves than ‘stock’ engines as they run at higher boost pressures. Applying that scenario to a Centaurus would make for a very short racing career.

The sleeves, in uncorroded, useable condition are ultra rare items anywhere in the world. If there were plenty about (in UK or anywhere else) there would be many more Centaurus units in use but sadly its just not the case. Getting one restored/overhauled is a very tricky prospect at the moment for normal use, let alone to go around pylons.

I’ve not been to Leuchars in years.

Daz – do you ever actually get to see these aircraft :rolleyes:

Mr T

Ahem, ‘Hangar 11 Collection’ please 🙂

Not seen 3 Utterly Butterly’s before.

I counted four! Not to be seen as ‘Utterley Butterly’ again though – the sponsorship deal ends this year.

the gate house and the original office block are still standing and they are so derelict that I would imagine that they will be gone soon.

Good news Gordon, the gatehouse is under renovation and was starting to look much better last week (although it is going to be a branch of KFC!). Extensive renovations are due to start shortly on the old office building as its going to become a Police HQ.