If my understanding is correct. The Shackleton AEW at Manchester is actually on loan from the RAF Museum. Also Hunter and Meteor at Tangmere are likewise RAFM aircraft. Following on from this model could a Nimrod be allocated to the RAFM, but placed on loan to one of the private groups ? This would mean the costs of aquiring and the delivery would be carried by RAFM, but some agreement reached where the display museum would cover long term maintance.

Very great shame that Duxford has not been allocated a Nimrod, they were a true cold war warrior and made a major contribution to the Falklands War. Indeed if XV232 is still in service (?) it would be the ideal airframe to preserve. It was one of the first aircraft fitted for flight refuelling and on 15th May 1982 carried out a 19 hour survey flight from Ascension Island covering 8,300 mile.

If my understanding is correct.
IV squadron at Cottesmore have stood down as an operational squadron and will reform at Wittering as the training squadron, replacing 20 squadron, in the very near future, if indeed it has not already happened.
20 squadron are expected to reform at some future date to opperate the additional Chinnook’s, if they ever arrive in RAF service ?

Paul

Whilst I agree the cost of carefully dismantling, transport to another location and re assemblely is huge, I see nothing in the Vulcantothesky thread that shows that XM603 has been terminally damaged or weakened. I do not pretent to know how or where the construction / transport joints are for a Vulcan, but even the nose, cockpit, bomb bay and center section out to undercarriage would make an impressive exhibit within the Manchester Museum ? With suitable explanation as to why the airframe exists at all.

In this day and age when every event or activity has to have a ‘buzz word’ or be reduced to the minimium number of intial letters. The ‘Milestones’ was probably decided upon because they missed the Milluneium and were too early for Centenery of Flight. I suspect the name will eventually be dropped. I still think that at least one aircraft type, Gnat T1 ?, should be included in RAF display team colours, there is a lot to say about RAF pre war training, the Hendon Pageants and post war aerobactics display teams.

Paul

Couple if things I would like to see done with the Milestone exhibition.

Move the Tempest and Mosquito to the main display hangars. (Tempest could even go to Cosford ?)
Take the P-51 off that silly merry go round thing.
Send the Typhoon to Cosford and if necessary re hang the model Typhoon.

At ground level display the P-51, Spitfire, Me-109 and the Ki-100 (better if RAFM can find a restored Zero) in a tail to tail circle and display Me-262, Meteor (ideally an F4), Mig-15 and F-86 also in a tail to tail circle.

The Camel and Fokker do look good hanging up, but it would be nicer to see them with their respective collections.

Leave Harrier GR3 on its pole in the hover but the Hoverfly lacks impact, better to replace with a Whirlwind in SAR yellow, hanging with a winchman in situ.

The Moth and Mew Gull look good, with perhaps another one of similar vintage, DH88 replica maybe ?

And finally my pet project, a Hawk (red arrows) Gnat (yellow jacks) Lightning F1 (firebirds) and Hunter (black arrows) all hanging from the roof in a tail chase.
All very important RAF types, instantly recognisable to the general public and very colourful. The Hart could also fit this theme nicely, recalling Hendon’s pre war aerobatic displays.

In the vain hope that the new DG reads this a lot of valuable floor space can be gained by getting rid of the civil EH101 and the silly Chinook mock up. Also move the Cafe to the upper floor / balcony area and make room for a Tornado F3 and Harrier GR7.

Paul

My first response was anger that the IWM were ‘giving away’ another exhibit. But after reading the attached story I am happy that the 105 is going to a good home with a certain local interest.

What happened to the F-105 that was BDR are Lakenheath ?

The obvious answer is that many scale models are not accurate !!, even for aircraft that are existant and should have been correctly measured. Another thing one must consider is that the larger the scale the more data the model maker requires to get the scale model right. There is also the consideration that some parts can not be made scale thickness, things such as the undercarriage have to be made thicker because the plastic part would not be strong enought to support the model.