This thread is getting spooky, if F4 is on the top left, then I must be down on the bottom right, just off screen at Bretton.

DOUGHNUT

there is already one of those hanging upside down (arggg!!!!) in the museum at Speyer, Germany. One day I will post some photos. I was thinking about of one of the plastic replica’s that to RAF exhibition unit used to tow around the airshows and smaller country fairs.

DOUGHNUT

I have to say I like the idea, I’ve seen similar in the USA where a small electric motor drives the prop. As the AAM P-51 is a replica could this could a reality? The P-51 and replica Hurricane (where has that gone?) could be position either side of the main gate.

DOUGHNUT

Steve wrote

I’m intrigued now – I’ve not seen it, but what’s so awful about the SC-1 suspension?

Its an insult to the designers at Short’s. OK the aircraft may not have been the prettiest ever to take to the sky, but it still deserves respect. I do not have a photo, last time I visited I could not bring myself to wave a camera at it. Basically the museum have removed one wing and bolted what is left half way up a wall, OK you can see the four RR lift jet engines but there must a have been an easier way. The whole point of the display is lost because I would expect that most of the non aviation public will not recognise that they are looking at an aeroplane, it look more like a giant hair drier!

I am not against dramatic displays but do not do it to significant aircraft, IMHO the SC-1 should be at Cosford with the rest of the R&D collection, its place in the Science Museum could easily be taken by something like Red Arrows Gnat.

DOUGHNUT

To DROPTANK, in your haste to moan about the helpfull staff at Duxford and to have a go at WILLOW you forget to tell the rest of us which P-51 was being repainted.

WILLOW, I think the La-9 is scheduled to be at the Paris Airshow at LeBourget for the rest of this week, can anybody confirm it is there?

DOUGHNUT

I am totally happy with the Tempest target tug colour scheme, it is distinctive, colourful, and will be remembered by all the non aviation people who visit Hendon, most importantly is original and accurate.

BUT !!!!

the aircraft should not be hung from the roof like some childs toy. It is grossly unfair and indeed an insult to the small team of hardworking engineers, that their years of hard work will be hidden from view. I assume that a complete rebuild has been carried out on the engine and internal structures, all of which will never be seen or appreciated again. The subject of suspending exhibits again raises the problems of maintenance and general cleaning, surely a better solution would be to hang purpose build fibreglass replicas from the roof.

DOUGHNUT

Who was the Vixen pilot on Saturday?

I went Sunday and considered it to be a well run show with no indication of the previous days problems, just as it should be. I don’t think the Shackleton engine runs received the publisity they deserved. Very nice to see the DC-2 in from Holland, how about a return visit when the Shuttleworth DH88 is about ? Its a shame that the aircraft could not be parked a better, but I guess most of the ramp area was opperational, any reason why the Convair and Dove were not flying ? With a little planning could a Piston Provost not have been added to the trainer demo. Another missing item which would have been approperate would have been the DH Heron, does this still fly from the Channel Islands ?
Overall a good day with the star attraction being the Canberra, when did it recieve its new colour scheme?

DOUGHNUT

One more ?