Sorry Bruce but I 100% agree with Firebird about hindsight. I admit I have not read many of the posts on this thread as after reading about the last 10 it seemed to me that the same points were just being gone over again, having been extensively covered in several previous threads and, with all due respect, in a lot of cases, by the same people. In these previous threads I felt that the consensus of opinion, before the last flight, was that if she landed back at Doncaster then her fate was effectively sealed. I am not involved in the industry but I could not see how they could attract enough fee paying customers as a single static or dynamic display when arguably better value for money can be found elsewhere. My wife and I spent some 3 hours undisturbed in the crew section of XL360 at Midland Air Museum with one of the staff, a very worth while experience and then, of course, the rest of the excellent collection to see.

The just published question and answers are welcome but is far too little far too late. They rule out some airfields because they already have a static example. Why? If maintained in a ground running condition she would be an attraction in addition to the other aircraft and museums on site. In my view DX was the only viable location and Cosford a good option as well. I am sure that IWM would not be able to accept XH558 unless she came with a completely self supporting package (nil cost to IWM) perhaps building a hanger in the location of the one destroyed in the making of the film. With their proven track record for raising funds it is very possible they could have achieved this. I would certainly support a venture like that, however, I cannot support a venture that, in my opinion, is doomed to failure. The magic was in the air and that magic has now gone and the forward business plan seems to have been dreamed up in cloud cuckoo land.

Some one has mentioned the purchase of a ready flying plane would have been better to maintain interest. The whole Air Atlantic fleet was up for grabs at peanut prices some of them actually able to give passenger flights. With a project like that, saving many flying aircraft, I am sure that they would have easily been able to raise the relative small sums necessary compared to those that were required for the Vulcan. Staff could have been kept on to maintain the fleet, passenger rides could have continued and the fleet was large enough to hold their own airshows. Again I would have supported this in my small way.

I wish them well and hope it works for them but I like many others, still think she landed at the wrong airfield.

Thanks for posting this, chevpol.

The length of my bucket list continues to grow shorter, not because I have managed to tick them off but because they have ceased functioning.

Let’s wish them well with finding a new location, perhaps with better access, Pheonix like.

Re office, as with the museum I am only assuming they will be open especially as they are within an active base and normally only available by appointment.

I doubt that you need worry about it not coming off as these guys know how to run airshows based on my experience at RIAT.

Back in my youth when I visited Biggin Hill “at home days” these were always in September, Battle of Britain Day would be closest to the following weekend in this case.

There is a dog at Scampton? What dog would that be then.:D

Because a couple of our American friends rise to the bait every time.

Moggy

Steady on there, remember that “special” relationship.:D

What is so special about the United States of America that needs our special concern? I mean, why aren’t some of the longest and most passionate threads on this forum about the needless gun deaths in South Africa, or Brazil, or Mexico?

I would have thought that that was extremely self evident.

http://www.gravesendreporter.co.uk/news/e_petition_calling_for_public_inquiry_into_dartford_crossing_gains_thousands_of_signatures_1_4699847

Of course, once UK finally leaves EU, there may be a sudden decline in cross-channel traffic using the south east corner of UK road network, thus negating the need for increased Thames crossing capacity in the area…. :-O.

Trade is trade, companies are not going to stop trading because we are no longer members of the idealistic “one” Europe economy which only existed in the minds of idealist. I predict that more will follow.

Is it just one face or is the white and the red on separate discs? If two separate discs then the white segments are smaller than the red, and if the space between each white segment was red and the white disc rotated you would end up see all red. If it is I could do with one as I often see red on this forum.:D It looks like the “base” fitted into something and there were two connections in those grooves on top.

Some yuppie will want that on his mantle piece. Oh how much is it?

I know it hasn’t got wings on it but you will probably have better luck on historic.