What? Build some houses right next to an airfield and then expect the airfield to change/stop its operations? Surely not! That could never happen in this country? 😀

The time will tell.

Indeed! Listening to politicians on both sides of the House, there isn’t one who has defended the carriers. I noticed that when Dianne Abbot said that she was sure the carriers would be cancelled, even Portillo agreed that they were unaffordable. That covers a fairly broad spectrum of political thought, so if they all think it’s a non-starter… I suppose the only hope of saving them (and therefore F-35) is if there’s any sort of cancellation cost involved, and how long it takes to reach a decision. I guess it’s just possible that we might reach a stage where it becomes too expensive to abandon either project. But taken as a decision against an entire service life, the sums still don’t add up.

Oh well, less than six months to the General Election and then we finally get the Defence Review and we can say goodbye to this over-priced and unnecessary aircraft (and the boats to fly them from) once and for all!:p

I seem to recall that the Meteor is still progressing and that the Comet project had been abandoned. HHA’s boss told me that the Buccaneer was still potentially airworthy but that it wouldn’t be completed unless/until a contract appeared that required a Buccaneer. Presumably the same applies to their Su-22. Not heard anything about the Shackleton for ages. Hopefully the Canberras will fly again – eventually.

I remember some talk over the idea of getting a Concorde flying again but I assume that was more a hope than a practical idea. Likewise I remember some talk of trying to get Elvington’s Victor flying again – seems Bruntingthorpe achieved that much more easily! The Lightnings (in the UK) will never fly again – the beloved CAA will see to that, although the AALO’s machine still looks hopeful over in the US. Somebody was planning to restore a Jaguar T2/4 and claimed that the CAA had sounded fairly positive about it, but having heard nothing more for a long time, I assume that idea died too. Then there was Mark Hanna & co. and the Phantom FGR2 at Duxford – it was even listed in their brochure as available for air shows at one stage – some hopes! Wonder how the Gannet is getting along down at Exeter?

Given the sponsorship of this forum, I’m prompted to ask why Flypast doesn’t keep us appraised of all these projects more often?

I haven’t heard of any new or significant restoration plans for some time so I get the feeling that most of the hopes and ambitions have dried-up. Oh well, if I ever get that Lottery win I’ll get a Varsity back into the air!

Hmm, you just know that the punters will be seriously disappointed if it doesn’t achieve an altitude of at least fifty feet! :p

Brilliant – thanks for the heads-up:)

Some brilliant photos here!

Anyone got a shot or two of the Firefly U.9 ??

I’m with Bruce. I don’t think anybody objects to the notion of Cosford raising a bit of cash but this is patently just an easy way of charging an admission fee by proxy, which is entirely at odds with the spirit of the no-charge policy. Shame on them.

Shame that an excellent aircraft collection is gradually degenerating into a homogenised, sterilised and over-priced play pen.

Besides, who does the car park belong to? The RAF I assume? Doesn’t this raise an interesting issue? Charging money to park your car on land that, as taxpayer, you’ve already paid for. Sweet.