RE: Some Javelins for Alastair.

>Sqn Ldr G.H.Barton of 228 OCU leading a 4 ship at a very wet
>BofB display, RAF Leuchars, 1966.
Spectacular piccies Kieth!I built an Airfix Javelin not so long ago and I’ve had a soft spot for ’em ever since.What I never realised before was just how darn HUGE the Javelin is-four Javelins must’ve occupied a fair portion of sky!
Interesting to see Barton’s natural metal aircraft.I did a fair old bit of research into the Javelin’s various colour schemes for my Airfix one,but I never came accross this one.Was the aircraft in this scheme specifically for the display?
Keep em coming Kieth,and I look forward to that book you’re producing!
You wouldn’t happen to have anymore Javelin piccies you could post?Pwease?Pwetty pwease?? 🙂

RE: FAAM Wyvern

Evenin Merlin,
In response to your quote about the GeeBee,it should be pointed out that there has never been a UK registered GeeBee.The only ones I know of are registered in the US in the FAA’s Experimental category. Correct me if I’m wrong…
So far as I’m aware,the RR Eagle had quite a few teething troubles that were never fully solved,so I think it would be a bit dicey to operate the FAAM’s machine even if the authorities did give it clearance to fly.I have to admit it would be great to see and hear that 24 cylinder monster bursting into life,but it seems rather unlikely.
Does anybody know of any Wyvern substantial components or sunken wrecks that could be rebuilt into a complete example?The Python powered models were quite different to thier piston powered forebears and I can’t help but feel that there should be atleast one example of these later machines displayed.

RE: The Prentice at Shuttleworth

I very much agree with what’s been said in the last couple of posts. As time goes by,these aircraft can only get older-they’ll surelly be considered vintage before too long,if they aren’t already.I think the Collection is doing a good job in the way that it is looking forward to the future.
With regards to the colour scheme on the Glad,I’m personally quite happy with it-to my mind silver is the only colour a Gladiator should be.As for the Faith,Hope & Charity colour scheme idea,I think this would be a great scheme for TFC’s SeaGladiator when she’s done, being as the originals were SeaGladiators. 🙂
While we’re talking about the Shuttleworth Collection,I’ve heard that the Comet racer will only be operated for one year,and then retired for the next decade. 🙁
Does anyone know what the rationale behind this is?That particular year was meant to be this year,so perhaps we won’t get much of a chance to see her before she’s grounded again,being as she hasn’t even flown yet (so far as I know).

RE: Shackleton Last Rites

Thanks for the feedback Ashley 🙂 It’s a relief to know that she’s going to be restored and presumably kept indoors in future.As for the Shack,it seems a terrible pity that they can’t restore her.Surely in the long term it would be worthwhile no matter what the effort?? With no others currently undercover,it’s hard to see any of them surviving for too long-the example at Long Marston is said to be in particularly poor shape. 🙁
As for the Victor’s repaint not so long ago,Roger Brooks of the Victor Association tells me that he and a number of other volunteers carried out the repaint under the direction of the IWM,which he was a member of at the time.Apparently it was known that the matt paintwork would deteriorate pretty quickly,but the IWM insisted on it anyway, which seems an odd decision.
Any ideas what sort of paint job the Victor will be finsihed in when she’s done?I know alot of people quite fancy the anti-flash white scheme,but I think I’d probably prefer her to stay in her bomber/tanker configuration,being as she was one of the very few Victors to be converted in this way.

RE: Aircraft Museums

Regrettably,I’ve never managed to get to Yeovilton myself,but my brother went last year and was gobsmacked.He thoroughly enjoyed himself,even though he isn’t too much of a fan of aviation. The Concorde there is G-BSST, the first UK prototype,and you can have a look round,under and inside the aircraft.
Besides Concorde there’s plenty plenty more to see-I’d suggest setting aside an entire day for your visit.
How about taking some pics for us?? 🙂

RE: Last air battle of WW II

I think it was more a case of actually intending to take on both types for the same role,rather than competition.The Flying Fortress operated alongside the Liberator,and the Mitchell alongside the Marauder etc etc.In a world where today the military procures one type to do as many jobs as possible,the ordering of multiple types for a single role seems a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut,but the combined forces of Nazi Germany and Imperialist Japan made for one very tough nut indeed,so a sledgehammer was no bad thing!