TwinOtter23The ‘last minute nature’ of all the current appeals and requests for funding is very interesting when considered alongside comments made by the VTST’s Independent Auditors more than a year ago. These are on the VTST Accounts year ending 31 July 2005 [and downloaded from their website yesterday].
http://www.tvoc.co.uk/funding.php
See basis of Opinion section “Going Concern” on pages 8 / 9.
A few ‘highlights’.
“We have not obtained sufficient appropriate evidence that this additional funding will be forthcoming.”
“In respect alone of the limitation on our work relating to the ongoing concern basis we have not obtained all the information and explanations that we consider necessary for he purpose of our audit”
Pretty much says it all IMHO.
As for airlifting the airframe! Even if the weight could be reduced to circa 9 tonnes [my understanding of a Chinook lift figure], I doubt that anyone would touch it. The aerodynamics of the delta shape would make it prone to ‘fly itself’ once lifted, thereby becoming an unstable load and endangering the helicopter. The cargo net slinging requirements may also have a detrimental effect on the airframe.
TwinOtter23The point here, is that there is a business plan, and its being circulated to interested parties around the UK. ‘We’ do not need to know the in’s and out’s of how the business is run. Anyone can go to Companies House for that if they really are that keen.
It is not my place to publish company figures.
Interested to know when was the last time a company had to file a “Business Plan” at Companies House?
A quick check at Companies House of the various companies they currently operate as shows a mix of dormant listings, overdue account filing and on time filing against these companies.
Mixed messages again – IMHO!
TwinOtter23Possible Assistance
Snapper
There might be some background assistance in an article published in Flypast April 2004, about a Wireless Operator, Stan Bray, who trained with 1661 HCU at RAF Winthorpe.
He then did a tour between 17/06/43 to 16/12/43 on 467 [RAAF] Squadron ‘B’ Flight at RAF Bottesford, Lincs on Lancasters. He then returned to 1661 HCU as an instructor.
His crew was Captain – F/Sgt N M McClelland; F/Engineer – Sgt A W Martin; Navigator – Sgt W Booth; A/Bomber – Sgt H Griffin; W/Operator – Sgt S Bray; M/U A/G – Sgt S G W Bethel; Rear A/G – Sgt K L Worden.
His Log Book also shows ops on S-for Sugar.
TwinOtter23Further Viggen update just seen on the news section of Newark Air Museum’s website
http://www.newarkairmuseum.co.uk
“SAAB VIGGEN UPDATE 05
Pleased to report further progress on the reassembly of Saab Viggen AJSH 37, 373 918 – ’57 [37918/57] at Newark Air Museum. Both main undercarriage legs have been refitted and locked into position. The airframe will remain on trestles for the time being whilst, reconnection work on the hydraulics and electrical systems is completed and to allow for the refitting of many panels and undercarriage doors. Visitors to the museum can see progress on this project when they look in on the reassembly team in display hangar 2. [09.08.06]”
TwinOtter23Did hear a whisper in 2005 about possibility of ‘government’ seeking tenders for private companies to maintain / operate ‘smaller’ BBMF airframes and I heard that some pre-qualification tender investigations were being undertaken.
However I then heard that the BBMF were unaware of this. So just put it down to normal rumour mill!
TwinOtter23RAF Worksop
Saw an interesting note in the Newark Air Museum [NAM] member’s newsletter The Dispersal in May 2002.
This concerned the source of hardcore for the access way across the culvert onto the museum Southfield Site, now the location of the HLF funded display hangar.
“Also worthy of note is the source of the 500 tonnes of crushed concrete and asphalt that was used for the levelling work. This has been re-cycled from the one-mile long runway of RAF Worksop, on the Soperton Hall Estate, near Scofton in North Nottinghamshire. Yet another way of preserving something of our aviation heritage, albeit a more unusual way than normal.”
Also believe that the NAM’s Jet Provost might have served with one of the training units at RAF Worksop.
TwinOtter23Just lifted this from the VTS homepage:
http://www.tvoc.co.uk/index2.php
“It is with great regret that the Trustees of Vulcan to the Sky have been obliged to issue letters of termination of contract to the workforce at Bruntingthorpe and Wimborne.
Despite unremitting and continuing efforts to find a major benefactor or sponsor for the project, none has yet been identified. Escalating costs mean that a million pounds are still needed before the end of August if the aircraft is to be returned to flight next year.
Everything is still being done to find such a company or person but time is getting very short. To be unable to complete the project after so much has been given and so much achieved is little short of a tragedy; but, as has been said before, the combination of time lag, engineering cost uplift and no sponsor has so far rendered the task insurmountable.
If £1M can be identified and raised over the next four weeks, it may still be possible to move forward to meet the target of flying for the Falklands Commemoration and the 2007 Air Display season.”
TwinOtter23Further Viggen Update – Newark Air Museum
From the Newark Air Museum website
SAAB VIGGEN RE-ASSEMBLY UPDATE
Pleased to report that earlier today the second wing was successfully re-attached to the Saab Viggen AJSH 37, 373 918 – ’57. Work is now ongoing with preparations for refitting the main undercarriage legs to his impressive delta winged fighter/bomber. Visitors to the museum can see progress on this project when they look in on the reassembly team in display hangar 2. [01.08.06]
TwinOtter23Are there any other projects that may have set a precadent for additional lottery funding!
Septic.
Airspace, Duxford – came across this one on the Military Airshows website, scroll down to the July 2006 update at http://www.militaryairshows.co.uk/new.htm#duxhang
TwinOtter23Neville Franklin [NF] passed away at home on July 21, 2006 and the timing of his funeral has just been changed to 11am on Friday 4th August at Hawton Church, which is in a small village just south of Newark.
I understand that a few words will be said about Neville during the service and at the BAPC Meeting at Cosford on Saturday 5th August.
Neville was amongst several early pioneers of the British aircraft preservation movement, who history will show made a real difference.
As Mark12 noted without their joint early efforts there wouldn’t be a flying Seafire in the UK. On a positive note I for one am pleased that the Seafire flew before Neville passed away.
TwinOtter23I also believe this is a totally artificial thread, created by an anonymous individual simply wanting to stir up the Anti-VTTS crowd once again.
Unfortunately whether it is proved to be right or wrong, coverage in a national newspaper [Daily Mirror] of the reported redundancy notices that have allegedly been issued to staff at Bruntingthorpe, does nothing to clarify the situation or give good vibes to 558’s supporters.
TwinOtter23Mark,
I believe that the main wings bolts are outboard of the engine nacelles and therefore can be accessed without the engines having to be removed.
For road transport of Canberras I believe that the wing chord dimension is the critical one as this can make the wings and the centre section of the aircraft into a wide load. This could entail angling everything on the trailer; a specialised transport company [eg. RAF St Athan]; Police permits etc.
TwinOtter23More Viggen news
Newark Air Museum website has the following update about the Viggen.
http://www.newarkairmuseum.co.uk/news.cfm
SAAB VIGGEN RE-ASSEMBLY UPDATE
Better than originally anticipated progress has enabled the first wing to be refitted to the Saab Viggen AJSH 37, 373 918 – ’57. Work is currently ongoing with preparations for refitting the other wing. Visitors to the museum can see progress on this unusual project when they look in on the reassembly team in display hangar 2. [20.07.06]
TwinOtter23At least one missing!
WW217 Sea Venom FAW.21 to Newark Air Museum
TwinOtter23most everyone stopped using the foam when it was found that it caused rapid deterioration inside the tire.
I think you will find that tyre filling is now a Health & Safety issue especially with the high pressure tyres on static aircraft like the Vulcan, Lightning, MiG 21 etc.
23 year old rubber tyres charged to even half pressure on say the Vulcan, supporting significant weight are not ideal. Properly filling and curing the tyres with polyurethane based compounds, using a reputable tyre filling company helps to minimise the risk to all concerned. If you’ve ever had a tyre blow out in a car you will understand why. A good company will even help by fitting an inner tube and filling even partially perished tyre casings. Thousands of these types of filled tyres operate day in day out on forklift trucks and huge mining vehicles without a problem.
By the way congratulations on the repaints, whatever scheme is chosen!
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