Thank you everybody for your replies-they are all very informative and I have learned much new information. It seems like it’s not only the issue of if it’s ABLE to fly, but also if it’s ALLOWED to fly. So a static aircraft might theoretically be capable of flying with work done to it, but if the parts aren’t certified and every little part inspected, then it really doesn’t matter because the authorities won’t let it take to the air.

the parts dont necessarily have to be certified. it depends on the aircraft and if the OEM still exisits. But everything would have to be inspected and passed for flight by the maintenance outfit (whom the CAA are happy with to hold the CAP632 maintenance permit), if no OEM exists anymore. As Lindys lad points out, even a minter of a museum example would be stripped bare for inspection.

incredibly, you dont have to do any of this with an EXPERIMENTAL in the states. You can throw it all back together, slap an EXP sticker on it, have your FAA guy come around and rubber stamp it if hes happy that it all looks above board. Its an interesting point though, because you would summise that there would be cowboy outfits all over the place flying ropey old crates around in US not fit for flight. Yet from my experience out there, whilst you do see some iffy looking light aircraft about, its seems the freedom actually appears to encourage the operators to be extra careful and switched on with fast stuff, perhaps they are just generally much more clued up due to the freedom with the A+P self maintenance style?

I think d&g have now found a resolution, I dont know the exact details, but understand they are out of danger now.

Did the two Skackletons at Gatwick not come from the Tech School at Cosford ? They must have been moved in the 1980’s. Surely the RAF museum should have been given first chance to save one. Just goes to show that you can never trust a national collection to take care of their exhibits. Thank god for private collectors !!

They did indeed, WR982 (pictured above as J) and WR974, both came from Cosford as M serial numbers. I understand that the RAFmuseum were offered any one of J, K, H at the time and were not interested. Lucky for us really because 982 would most certainly not have remained a runner as she is now.

there is going to be an event soon to celebrate RAF 90th and WR982 indirectly, which will include 982 ‘growling’. Details are still being decided with regards to numbers, or if it will be a public event. Keep an eye out for further details, which will be posted here and on the GAM website soon.

being that no one has been able to get into it (apart from maybe a child) for 4-5 years, due to it being trestled around the crew hatch, I should imagine that its pretty grim inside. She’s not looking too clever outside either now.

I would dearly like to stay optimistic about the status of her, but gut feel says she would’nt be interested in firing into life without considerable work on what must be some damp and possibly corrosion affected systems, and having seen from the many posts by 320psi about how touchy the Brunty girls can be at the best of times.
Can i be proven wrong, hopefully ?

. she needs a B check before a run, after sitting for some time. yes she has a few minor snags, like both starter atomisers sutted up. no surprises there. it’s a lightning :rolleyes: chinook lift one? errm, been done mate, basically mullered a perfectly good chinook. screwed rotor gearbox, and all under side panelling.

thanks re Nose wheel Nige. we wont be ready to run 923 for a couple of months anyway, a few loose ends to tie up on the hyds. still looking for an s2 canopy for her, if you hear of one too, or a good s1 one? yeah right! spare s1 canopy!…thats a good one…:D

G.A.M status on Live airframes are;

Percival Sea Prince T1 – WP308, WF118 . GAM. taxiable.

De Havilland Venom FB1 – J1605 GAM. ground runner. ‘B’ check required.

Hawker Hunter T7 XL591-GAM soon to run. Undergoing ‘C’ strip. engine fitting 08

Sea Vixen XS582- GAM. ground runner. Due a full ‘C’ check.

Bucc S1 XN923-GAM ground runner. ‘C’ check mostly complete. Minor repairs outstanding.

BAC Lightning 53-671/ZF579. Live..Undergoing Heavy ‘D’ check 70% complete.

Ercoupe 415D g-eghb. Fresh annual. Airworthy. Long term leased.

Shackleton MR3 ph3 WR982. ground runner.

spot the two fliers the other end of the line? 451 and 452.