In one of the early posts on this thread someon mentions the Lockhead Electra as flown by Sidney Cotton for his early PR flights.

I believe the actual aircraft he used still exists. Surely this is something that ought to be in the “National Aviation Collection” as a very significant historic aircraft with an important operational background.

Anyone any info on this aircraft?

Still won’t be able to get a room round here next week for love nor money!

Think they have already got permission for this.

Remember going to a Families Day at Honington when my dad was with 9 Sqn. Masses of aircraft around with 2 operational squadrons plus TWCU (is that right?). Very busy.
Also had multiple Tornado takeoffs which was very impressive and very noisy. Happy days!

Saw the various mossie bits that the Ferrymead people have on my recent NZ trip. Very nice chap showed us around. They have been given some lottery money to build a restoration hangar to put the aircraft in. It’s not going to be an airworthy one but all power to them.

On the subject of a mossie as part of a national collection (and this may have been covered elsewhere) I recall attending an RAeS lecture given by Paul Day, ex OC BBMF, in which he said that the BAe Mossie was apparently due to go to them. Everything in place apparently and then fate intervened sadly. I suppose one could describe the BBMF as an airworthy national collection!

Just got to use a computer after having a week on the road round South Island including Wanaka. Was a great show and a real eye opener to UK eyes. Aside from comments above re F111, Bleriot et al may I make follwing observations?

1/ Commentary – style was bordering on hysterical at times – very entertaining. Think Jerry and Joe had been well and truly let off the leash. Surprised Jerry calling it a day as can’t think there would be an upper age limit to talking! Thanks guys for entertaining show.
2/ Scenery – allright might be obvious but seeing aircraft against mountains is just awesome. Also we stayed right by Lake Wanaka and it was a real thrill to see Catalina land on water.
3/ Re-enactors – hope this does not cause offence but really not sure this adds to the show, especially when they decide to have a pitched battle right in front of you when you are trying to film aircraft take off!
4/ Food – great, I am now addicted to venison burgers!

All in all a great show, so glad to have seen it and seems have timed it just about right with the AFC sadly breaking up. I hope that the show remains successful in the future and some of the aircraft can stay locally. Don’t wish to upset people back home but think we can live without the Hurri here, hope she stays down under!

Something else that I noticed was the rather swish OFMC hangar at Wanaka with Stearman inside. Anyone know what future for this might be?

Anyway congratulations to Sir Tim, Gavin, Ian and the rest of the Wanaka team and thanks for a wonderful experience.

Sorry to go on but also want to say thanks to the Croydon people for being so friendly and letting us look around at Mandeville. Special Kudos to Ryan the pilot for getting Drangonfly out of hangar and taking us for a flight at almost no notice. Just can’t do this stuff in UK! The whole attitude here is so different from UK. I shall miss it when head back next week, still have a day in Sydney – anything good to see there?!

Contrary to what may be believed in the community, Air Atlantique’s other activities (i.e. the ATR operation) no longer support Classic Flight, and we have to stand on our own two feet and make enough money to cover our costs. If we don’t then its all over and this unique collection will be lost.

I hate to sound negative on this matter but the above comments slightly alarm me. Knowing a bit about the economics of operating jet aircraft I would think there is very little chance that enough revenue would be generated by airshow and other appearances by the aircraft to be able to cover it’s costs. I thought the operation was being funded by MC out of the proceeds of selling airfield lease to Thompson?

Hope that I am wrong with my pessimism above as it is a highly significant collection which we can ill afford to lose. I would think a prority for them should be to try and get dry, warm hangarage asap, the hangars at CVT seem a mite draughty!