Dr. John SmithRed Arrows
I will leave other to decide is this comes under the heading of “speculation” or not, but there are Press reports coming in that are pointing to a bird strike as the cause of the crash of Hawk T1 XX308. The report is claiming that the preliminary findings of the aircrash investigators have come to this conclusion.
According to the link below, a bird strike caused an engine flame out, which precipitated the crash.
..although, I would caution that this comes from the Daily Mail, so should be approached with some scepticism(!)
Still, the pictures accompanying the item are worth a look, including pics of the wreckage, and a heartbreaking picture of John Egging, at six years old…
Dr. John SmithThe Future of the Red Arrows?
Two things to say:
1 – There have been reports coming in that the Red Arrows (indeed, the entire RAF Hawk T1 fleet) has been grounded until further notice. As most of the surviving Hawk T1s were delivered between Nov 1976 and Feb 1982, perhaps it is time a replacement aircraft should be considered – the Hawks are “getting on a bit” (Related to this, one Red Arrows Hawk, which made an emergency landing at Blackpool on August 7th is being scrapped – or at least, not repaired – because it is said to be within 50 hours of being “time expired”). IF the Hawk is taken out of service, it may force the Red Arrows to be disbanded, albeit temporarily…
Point is – I think that the Red Arrows will survive, in some form, but they may not be flying Hawk T1s…would they still be as impressive flying Tucanos?
2 – As for the Red Arrows helping to sell the BAe Hawk around the world, remember the saying about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery?
If that is the case, then I should point out that the Air Forces of Indonesia, Finland, and Saudi Arabia have all operated aerobatic display teams that fly BAe Hawks. I’m convinced that they saw the Red Arrows as an inspiration, and the Red Arrows demonstrated what the BAe Hawk is capable of. End result – military aircraft sales for the UK, and not the US or China or Russia
Dr. John SmithRed Arrows
Dorset Police have made a statement about the incident. Video report here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14604799
Now, this may be speculation, but…BBC News are reporting that the Red Arrows have been grounded until the cause of the crash of Hawk T.1 XX308 has been established.
There’s nothing about this on the official Red Arrows website, hence putting it under “speculation” unless and/or until anyone knows different.
The official diary reads thus…
Sunday 21 August
1607 – Reds depart BOURNEMOUTH
1615 – Reds display BOURNEMOUTH
1641 – Reds recover BOURNEMOUTH
1840 – Reds depart BOURENMOUTH
1910 – Flypast BELVOIR CASTLE
1915 – Reds arrive RAF SCAMPTON
Has this now been cancelled?
Dr. John SmithRed Arrows
Official statement from the team now on line at http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=1754075D-5056-A318-A8D74C70AC0607A6
The only bit I will quote here is this:
“A full Service Inquiry into the details of the crash has been initiated. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the causes of the incident at this time.“
Dr. John SmithRed Arrows
There were earlier unconfirmed reports that “Red 4” of the team was the Hawk that had crashed. The link post above confirms this, and thereby names the pilot lost. I suspected that “Red 4” was involved, and thereby knew who that was by name, but held back from posting/commenting until it became clear if he had survived – or not.
Related: there are conflicting accounts (ITV News, early evening bulletin) as to whether Jon Egging ejected or not. Some say he ejected, some say he didn’t…
A biography (sadly, now obituary) of Jon Egging can be found here; http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9207734.Profile_of_Red_Arrow_Jon_Egging/
BTW – the 2011 Red Arrows team is named on the team’s official website at http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=0A8B622E-5056-A318-A8971C997ADF55C9
The line up for the 2011 Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team has been announced.
Red 1 – Squadron Leader Ben Murphy
Red 2 – Flight Lieutenant Chris Lyndon-Smith
Red 3 – Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham
Red 4 – Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging
Red 5 – Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore
Red 6 & Synchro Leader – Flight Lieutenant David Montenegro
Red 7 & Synchro 2 – Flight Lieutenant Ben Plank
Red 8 & Executive Officer – Flight Lieutenant Dave Davies
Red 9 – Flight Lieutenant Zane Sennett
Red 10 & Road Manager – Squadron Leader Graeme Bagnall
Red 11 – Wing Commander David Firth-Wigglesworth
Senior Engineering Officer – Squadron Leader Ross Priday
Junior Engineering Officer – Flight Lieutenant Adam Littler
Team Manager – Squadron Leader Liz Parker
Adjutant – Warrant Officer Alan Murray BEM
Public Relations Manager – Miss Emma Thomas
Dr. John SmithSeen on Ebay thread (August 2011)
However, if you would prefer a complete – and airworthy – aircraft, how about Dornier Do 27 G-BMFG, currently up for grabs at £59,000?
Said to be ex-military (Portugal AF FAP3460. according to G-INFO) and also claiming active service in Mozambique in the early 1970s…with patched up bullet holes as proof!
Dr. John SmithDornier 17 – RAF Museum Recovery From Goodwin Sands
This from today’s Daily Mail (August 17 2011):
£600,000 appeal for wreck of German bomber gunned down during the Battle of Britain to be lifted from seabed
By RICHARD HARTLEY-PARKINSON
Last updated at 9:40 AM on 17th August 2011
A German bomber shot down during the Battle of Britain 70 years ago could be raised from the seabed and displayed in a museum after an appeal was launched for funds for the project.
The twin-engined Dornier 17 crashed on Goodwin Sands off the coast of Deal, Kent, on August 26, 1940.
Its remains were discovered in 2008 when a full archaeological survey of the area produced remarkable underwater images of the wreck.
A survey of the plane showed that the Dornier 17 is still in remarkable condition and its tyres are still inflated while the propellers show signs of the damage suffered when it hit the water
Now the RAF Museum in Hendon, North London, has launched an appeal to raise £600,000 to salvage the bomber and exhibit it as part of the Battle of Britain Beacon project.
Steve Webster, of Salisbury-based Wessex Archaeology which discovered the wreck, said the project to lift the plane is likely to start next Spring.
He said: ‘We are currently going through a process of appointing an engineering company to effect the lift. Crane and cradle is by far the preferred option.
The Dornier 17 – known as a Flying Pencil due to its sleek design – was shot down with 2,000lbs of bombs on its way to attack airfields in Essex.
It was part of a large formation of enemy aircraft intercepted by RAF Defiant fighters 13,000 feet above the English Channel.
Pilot Willi Effmert attempted an emergency landing on the Sands but it is believed a wing clipped the water and it landed upside down.
A £600,000 appeal has been launched so that engineers can lift the wreck from the seabed
The Dornier 17 was part of a large formation of enemy aircraft intercepted by RAF Defiant fighters 13,000 feet above the English Channel
Effmert and his observer were captured whilst the two other crew died in the crash. The aircraft has lain on the seabed ever since.
It is largely intact with its main undercarriage tyres inflated and its propellers still showing the damage they suffered during its final landing.
Divers claimed they knew the location of the wreck but it was only confirmed in 2008 by geophysical work undertaken by Wessex Archaeology, which was surveying shipwrecks in the area.
A full survey of the wreck site will be completed before the exhibition will take place at the RAF’s museum at Hendon.
So, has the RAF Museum got the funds to raise this aircraft from the sea – or not?
Dr. John SmithBBC News: Vulcan
Meh, BBC is employing too many illiterate staff these days – way too many ‘typos’ on their news programme headline straps and yesterday they interviewed someone from “Shelll” during a piece about the oil leak in the North Sea…
Fair do’s though: just re-checked the link posted, and the typos have been corrected, and a pic of XH558 is now present and correct.
BTW: Is this story only “newsworthy” to the BBC simply because it featured in a show broadcast on BBC-1 last Sunday evening?
Dr. John SmithBBC News: Vulcan
Not even “new” news. Check this…
Technical problem forces Vulcan
to miss air displays
The Vulcan to the Sky Trust (VTST), the charity that operates XH558, the World’s last flying Vulcan, regret having to announce that due to a technical problem with one of her fuel tanks, XH558 will not be able to appear at the following airshows:
Thursday 18 August – Dawlish
Saturday 20 August – Bournemouth and Shoreham
Sunday 21 August – Bournemouth, Shoreham and Fly To The Past, Oxford
Andrew Edmondson, VTST Engineering Director said:
“Unfortunately, XH558 has developed a fuel leak from one of the large fuel tanks in her fuselage. This was discovered after the aircraft was refueled ready for this week’s flights. The leak is now being investigated to establish the cause and extent of the problem, and the necessary repair will need to be carried out before she will be able to fly again. We have every confidence that the problem is temporary, and we are working with Fire Proof Tanks of Portsmouth, the manufacturer of the fuel tank, with the aim of completing the repair as soon as practically possible”
“With a technical team of just six, VTST operates an aircraft which is over 50 years old to exacting safety standards. We have a ‘safety first’ policy. This means that we will only ever fly the Vulcan if she is fully serviceable, with no room whatsoever for any compromise on this.
It is a great shame that the Vulcan has to miss these upcoming airshows, and for this we are truly sorry, because we know how very popular XH558 is with the public and that many people will be disappointed by this news. We fully share their disappointment and our sympathy is with them and with the airshow organisers.”
Edmondson says the charity can pay for the repairs from its contingency budget, but that the loss of revenue from the missed airshows may have to be made-up from fundraising. “It costs around £2 million a year to fly XH558 to the world’s highest safety standards and we receive no funding from Government or the RAF,” he says. “The income from these shows was an important part of our revenue and it will be missed.”
Martin Withers, Chief Pilot of VTST commented;
“This current problem in no way means that the future of XH558 is in doubt. The aircraft is otherwise in very good condition, with an outstanding reliability record, and we are looking forward to flying her again as soon as we can. It is very unfortunate that this problem should occur just prior to when the aircraft is due to undertake a series of displays over a relatively short period of time.”
VTST further announces that the VulcanVillage will still be present on the seafront at the Bournemouth Air Festival this coming weekend when visitors will be able to enter a FREE Draw with a prize of a Luxury weekend for two at The Lime Wood Hotel in The New Forest. Vulcan to the Sky Trust staff and volunteers look forward to meeting as many supporters as possible during the Show.
VTST are also supporting a number of Charities during the Air Festival, including The Wessex Cancer Trust and The Alzheimer’s Society, the latter being in conjunction with Tesco, as part of their Charity of the Year initiative in 2011.
from http://www.bournemouthair.co.uk/2011/06/avro-vulcan-xh558/
Dr. John SmithIowa Museum plane crashes, two killed
ASN is reporting this, which, unless anyone knows different, is presumably the same incident:
Date: 13-AUG-2011
Time: 1:20pm LT
Type: Fairchild PT-19A (M-62) ?
Operator:
Registration: N53956 ?
C/n / msn:
Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Near the Des Moines River, 2 miles south Madrid, Iowa United States of America
Phase: En route
Nature: Private
Departure airport: Boone Municipal Airport – KBNW
Destination airport: Ankeny Regional Airport – KIKV
Narrative:
Two people have died in a small plane crash near the Des Moines River near Madrid.
The Des Moines Register reports (http://bit.ly/oRi1tw ) the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the Saturday afternoon crash of a vintage World War II plane.
The Dallas County sheriff’s office says the plane went down in a remote area and was only accessible by boat or helicopter. The plane took down some high-power transmission lines when it crashed.
Sources:
http://www.woi-tv.com/story/15264037/2-dead-in-small-plane-crash-near-des-moines-river
http://www.whotv.com/news/who-plane-crash-a-small-private-plane-crashes-in-the-des-moines-river-20110813,0,5098458.story
Dr. John SmithThunder City
So was I…until I got news of possible redundancy the other week! It sure is a cold world out here…:(
This afternoon ITV1 was showing an old Bond movie (Dr. No the first one, from 1962). In between, there were the usual commercial breaks. In EVERY commercial break between 3pm and 6pm was an recruitment ad urging viewers to inquire about “a career in the RAF”
Two questions
One, if the RAF is making hundreds (if not thousands) redundant, why are they running recruitment ads?
Two, with unemployment currently at 2.5 million, a possible “double dip” recession going on, the stock market collapsing, surely the best “recruiting sargeant” is unemployment (or the threat of it)?
If you join the forces, then there is (or was) guaranteed employment for at least three years; a good thing to have in these uncertain times!
OK, back on topic: if we’re talking about keeping “historic postwar/cold war jets” flying, then surely there has to be a place for the HARRIER?
After all, if you argue that that Battle of Britain could not have been won without the Spitfire, then the Falklands War could not have been won without the Harrier. Doesn’t that make it an “historic” aircraft worthy of a RAF Memorial Flight?
Dr. John SmithHelp in Saving Trident 1C G-ARPO
The local paper, the Sunderland Echo, has picked up the story…
A pioneer of flight, the Trident finds its home in Sunderland
A RARE pioneering aeroplane has been given a new home on Wearside.
The retired Hawker Siddeley Trident 1C, once the “backbone” of British air travel, has been brought to the North East Aircraft Museum, in Washington.
Tony Jarrett, from the Save the Trident campaign group, spearheaded the operation to bring the medium-range three-engined airliner, believed to be the last of its kind, to the Old Washington Road venue from Durham Tees Valley Airport.
“Before we got our hands on it, the aircraft had sat at the airport for the past 28 years and was being used as a fire trainer,” said Tony. “Luckily, it wasn’t damaged in any way, so we convinced the owners to donate it to us and arranged for it to be taken to the museum.”
On Sunday, the fuselage of the 114ft plane, which weighs up to 28 tons, made the 43-mile trip from the airport to the museum on the back of a low-loader.
The wings and other parts are expected to arrive in the coming months.
“Because of the size of the aircraft, we’ve had to bring it over bit by bit,” said Tony, from Peterborough.
“We started to strip it down in 2009 to make it easier to transport.
“We’ve been given a lot of support by Darlington-based MSD Cranes.
“We would have really struggled without their help.”
Designed by de Havilland and built by Hawker Siddeley Aviation in the 1960s and 1970s, the Trident was notable for its cutting-edge avionics, which enabled it to become the first airliner to make a fully-automatic approach and landing in revenue service in 1965.
It was also the sole airliner capable of automatic landings in regular service from 1966, until versions of the Lockheed TriStar were also cleared to perform them in the mid-1970s.
“It will be about a year before it is fully reassembled, but once the work is complete we expect it to be the flagship of our civil aviation display,” said museum chairman Hugh Lewell.
For more information about the aircraft, visit http://www.savethetrident.org.
Also, the Northern Echo (the local paper for Darlington and Durham-Tees Valley Airport) has a report, with a 48-second “time lapse” video of G-ARPO being lifted over the fence at DTV Airport. (Problem is, I can’t find a link: it’s on the front page of their website today – 02/08/11 – but may not be there for long)
Dr. John SmithSunderland Airshow
For more pictures, you maight like to check out the report that the Daily Mail ran on the story at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2021119/Daredevil-pilots-light-night-sky-Europes-largest-free-air-show.html
The local paper, The Sunderland Echo also carries a report at http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/sunderland_international_airshow_takes_flight_1_3634121 – but the pictures are not great (just one shot of XH558). Maybe you should offer them the use of your pictures (for a suitable fee, of course!)
The BBC’s Look North (BBC North East and Cumbria) covered the air show – although, due to a one day strike called by the NUJ, there’s no edition of Look North today (Monday 1st August). Meanwhile, there’s a slide show at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-14353704
But ITV Tyne Tees are not on strike, and they ran a report: video at http://www.itv.com/tynetees/sunderland-air-show69321/
Dr. John SmithAircraft Appearing in Films
Has anyone mentioned the Martin Baker Meteor, in an episode of the Prisoner ?
Mentioned it? There’s even a webpage devoted to it at http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/meteor.htm – despite the picture on the webpage, the actual Meteor was T.7 WA638
Also appearing in this classic 1967 TV series (I’ve got the Boxed Set of 17 episodes…) were
Alouette II helicopter F-BNKZ (see http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/alouette.htm) and Bell 47G-2 G-ATSH (see http://www.theunmutual.co.uk/bell47g2.htm)
Dr. John SmithSunderland Airshow
Well we don’t normally need an excuse…:p
(and it’s mackems…)
Indeed! The following is from the local paper, the Sunderland Echo…
“Police stepping up patrols for Sunderland Airshow
By Marissa Carruthers
Published on Thursday 28 July 2011 11:53
POLICE are stepping up patrols for the Sunderland International Airshow to help stop any turbulence from troublemakers
Hundreds of thousands of people will be landing in the city over the weekend to enjoy the annual event along the seafront and officers are hoping it will be a flyaway success.
But they are urging visitors to be on their best behaviour and to stay safe.
Neighbourhood Inspector Lisa Musgrove, who covers Roker seafront, said: “The airshow is one of the highlights of the year in Sunderland and is a fantastic family day out.
“We know the majority of visitors will not cause us any trouble but those who are intent on causing a nuisance or committing crime are being warned they’re not welcome.
“Extra police officers will be on patrol to reassure people and ensure their safety.
“As with any crowded place, we’d urge people to make sure valuables, like phones and wallets, are kept secure to deter pickpockets.
“Anyone bringing young children is asked to keep a close eye on them, as they can easily get lost in the crowds.
“We’ll be working with other agencies and emergency services to make sure the day is as enjoyable for everyone and action is swiftly taken against those who are spoiling it.”
Visitors are also being sent warnings over water safety.
Over the weekend, 23 RNLI lifeboat volunteers and beach lifeguards will be on duty each day.
An exclusion zone has also been put in place between Roker Lighthouse and Whitburn Steel by Sunderland Port Authority, meaning all boats must stay behind the line of buoys.
Paul Nicholson, Sunderland RNLI senior helmsman, said: “We encourage those attending this fantastic event to follow our advice which will help keep them safe and ensure they have a fantastic enjoyable weekend.
“If anyone needs any further advice during the event, they should contact either an event steward or a member of one of the rescue organisations.”
source: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/crime/police_stepping_up_patrols_for_sunderland_airshow_1_3625138
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