Hi Bex

If someone wants to further the efforts of aircraft presertvation, at whatever level they can get involved, then this can only be a good thing. Not everyone involved in the movement has the abilities to do major work on the aircraft for example, but their input is equally important, in research, maintaining the museums, catering and cleaning, providing personal contact to visitors, and presenting the exhibits properly.

I am personally involved in putting together an extinct aircraft type, mostly from scratch, but this is only part of the whole project. The collection also includes many original drawings, photographs and manuals that have been collected, and will one day form part of the displayed presentation. But, most importantly a re-union for former air and ground crew came about through the project. It is with personal contact with these gentlemen that so much more can be learned, whether it be comparing scraped knuckles with former instrument technicians, tales of playfully taunting US jet pilots by flying by with one engine feathered, or hearing of the pure joy in flying aerobatics in the type from the test pilot. There are many recollections that can be lost in time if not recorded, that add so much colour to a types operational record.

I believe there is an equal need for major collections in the UK. There is a valid place for a static at Hendon, Sywell, Brenzett, etc. as there is for taxiable private aircraft at Bruntingthorpe, or a chap with a project in his garage, or someone with a good book collection! As long as people make a positive contribution – make a difference.:)

Regarding the debate about ‘558, what can you say? I bet there will be no complaints from when it is regularly displaying at airshows! On one hand, £17.5 million (is this correct?) could benefit the entire UK aircraft preservation movement massively, but it would have been unlikely, that this money would have ever been raised without an iconic project like the Vulcan to support.

David

Cees

If a team such as the Halifax restoration team at Trenton was formed, some nice things could be established….

This is very true!

However, in Canada, I think the Haifax and Avro Arrow, that came about through these well supported projects, also have iconic status for their aviation achievements – the Halifax as a very worthy memorial, and the Arrow, as a pinnace of aeronautical design.

In Europe maybe if there were no spitfires and Lancasters left, similar projects would be equally well supported, and several in number? However worthy, the aformentioned projects probably just don’t have the draw for the general public.

Privately run projects have their benefits. There are no commities to argue with, and you can stay focussed on the work in hand. But as you say, things take a lot longer, financial input is more limited and fundraising is harder if it is not part of a charitable museum.

p.s. I could also add the Douglas Boston/Havoc to the list too, and maybe a Tempest aswell.

De-Icer pump

By the way, the only thing I still need is a Rotax de-icing pump as used in many RAF aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hornet etc. If anyone has one kicking about, I can provide a good home for it;)
We can always ask can we?:o
Cheers

Cees

Hi Cees, this is your lucky day!

I have a spare de-icer pump that would look great on a Halifax panel!
I’ll send you a pm with details.

cheers

“What is the best aircraft that has been produced but from a small, militarily insignificant country?”

Eurofighter Typhoon! 😀

I’m a sad b****** I know!

Maverick you just did an incredibly brave thing. What you should have done was LAND YOUR PLANE! You don’t own that plane, the taxpayers do. Son your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash. You’ve been busted – lost your qualifications as section leader three times! Put in Hack twice – by me. With a history of high speed passes over five air control towers, and one admiral’s daughter! – Was that Penny Benjamin? And you, a**hole. You’re lucky to be here! Thank you sir! And lets face it, Maverick, your family name aint the BEST IN THE NAVY. You gotta be doing it better, and cleaner than the other guy. Now what is it with you? Just want to serve my country and be the best fighter pilot in the Navy Sir! Don’t scr*w around with me Maverick. You’re one hell of an instinctive pilot. Maybe too good. I’d like to bust your but but i can’t. I got another problem here. I gotta send someone from this squadron to Miramar. I gotta do something, you know, I still, I still can’t believe it. I gotta give you your dream shot. I gotta send you up against the best. You two characters, are going to Top Gun! For five weeks you’ll be flying against the best fighter pilots in the world. Cougar was number one, you guys were number two. Cougar lost it, turned in his wings. You guys are number one! But remember this. You scr*w up, just this much, and you’ll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog **** outta Hong Kong. That is all. You can tell me about the MIG some other time….And Gentlemen….Godd luck, Gentlemen. Thank you Sir Thank you

Hi Ben

I have a bulb and a spare dimmer switch! I will bring them with me to Sywell.

…the third way!

My Hornet panels are done in cellulose satin matt black, just to be awkward! It gave the deepest black of them all, but with a slight sheen that matched the patina of the originals.

This was the best match for my existing panels.