Is the Jaguar the one that used to be at Larrburch in Germany ?

DOUGHNUT

Just because nobody has responded to the ‘for sale’ advertisment yet does not mean people are not interested. I can think of two or three American collections that would be happy to spend a bit of money on another British aeroplane, take to bits and let it join a very long line of other aircraft stored, out of sight awaiting restoration.

My suggestion does not imply that I do not want to see the aircraft in the sky. But as the current owner feels unable to proceed with the project it is doultfull if any other UK group would consider taking it on. Steve states that the Beaufighter is the last mk1c and is of historic significance, therefore would it not be better owned by a National museum with a restoration funded by the state, with public /corperate sponorship and the assitance of a fund raising campain. When complete it would stand as a tribute to all servicemen and women who used the aircraft during the war years. It could take pride of place in a new WW2 themed aviation galley to compliment an alreday excellent museum.

Come IWM show us that you care about British Aviation, purchase the Beaufighter, apoint Skysport to to restore it static condition and in years to come we can all enjoy the sight.

Dont give it to the RAFM they with paint as a target tug and hang it from the roof :>)

DOUGHNUT

ps my point about staying ‘on thread’ was not to mention the Mosquito but Graeme C already done that

To Pembroke,

The GR3 is painted in FAA Sea Harrier colours because when the RAF replaced the GR3 with the GR5/7 several aircraft were allocated to the RNAS Culdrose for use by the deck handaling training school. Some are still used today. One aircraft appeared at Yeovilton for some reason (WLT or BDR ?) for some time it was acting as a gate guard, but I think has now been replaced by a FA2 Sea Harrier.

Has this aircaft been fitted with a engine yet last time I saw it it looked very odd without the jet nozzels

DOUGHNUT

Originally posted by A330Crazy
Willow there was no way of getting the shots with out having all the objects in the way. Sorry. 🙁

It should be the museum who offers the appoligy not you, as photographers we can only do the best the available conditions allow. The idea of an ‘out doors ‘ day at Manston is excellent, has any body on the Forum got a contact with the museum. Tie the event in with a ‘wings week’ fundraiser, get the local ATC involved, have the Spitfire and Hurricane located on the grass with clear background, ie not one of the resident airliners!! Do this in the morning in the afternoon position period vechiles and equipment and renactment actors for some interesting ‘action’ shots, refuelling rearming ect.

I understand that the steam railway boys do this all the time, maybe 92SQUADRON can give us his comments on how successfull and rewarding this can be.

DOUGHNUT

dreaming of sunny days and spitfires

On the subject of the Flypast Flyin at Northweald, l’ve been a regular visitor to this event since their first one day event in the late 80’s(early 90’s?) however the last couple of years I’ve been disapointed by the over the top security and ‘safety’ barriers. Ok so airfields can be dangerous places and barriers are there for a reason, not least of which should be to protect the aircraft from damage. Why can the major part of the aircraft park not be open to the public between say 2.00pm and 4.00pm, any arrivels after that time can go to a seperate, non public area also any pilots wishing to fly during the day could reposition their aircraft and fly in the normal way. Kemble achived this earlier this year. I think all concerned at North Weald deserve thanks for the cooperation, we all know that its not possible to get inside every hangar but at least have the hangar doors open so we can see what is there, maybe next time we will be lucky to see it outside.

DOUGHNUT

MERLIN wrote

“Another story I was told but dont believe was that the old airfield buildings where I live were once bricked up. A friend of mine put a hole in the bricks and went inside to discover road signs, barbed wire and old rifles. But I would only trust him as far as I could throw him.”

Such story do have a thread of truth, it was not unknown Civil Defence Units and the Home Guard to have secret stock piles of weapons and other materials with which to confuse and harass the Germans should they ever have invaded the UK. However finding such ‘time capsules’ today would appear very unlikely.

BIGGLEWORTH mentioned that a railway tunnel he tried to investigate had two sets of steel door embedded in concrete, with a mobile home inside, I seem to remember various schemes in the 1970’s to develop public nuclear shelters using existing tunnels and caves, maybe thats what was seen.

DOUGHNUT

Contact the museum on http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk
Ask about the tour of the new restoration centre, I think is goes ahead around 2.00pm each day, I’ve not been to Cosford since this opened so can not say what it is like.

DOUGHNUT