A01 ( ZA254 ) in early 1979 , behind it is the front fuselage of A02 ( ZA267 ) on it’s equipping trolley ; as a relatively historic prototype no room at Cosford ?[ATTACH=CONFIG]258617[/ATTACH]

2nd Batch of 22 Saudi Hawks

Indian AF rejects advanced Hawk i

Source:
http://www.defensenews.com/

Anyone notice the statement in the recent BAE Systems 2016 interim financial report :-

” Manufacturing for the second batch of 22 aircraft, awarded in 2015, is progressing to
schedule. Under this contract, we will undertake the final assembly of these aircraft in Saudi Arabia. “

ED427 Crew F O Alexander Bone

No, the names remain at Runnymede but will be removed from the registers. If and when the panels where the names are inscribed are ever replaced, then the names will be deleted.

Somewhere, I have the number accounted for since the memorial was constructed – that figure being in the several hundreds.

As a sad postcript to the story of Lancaster ED427, Flying Officer Alexander Bone is also commemorated on the grave of his wife Menna, who had tragically died age 23 some six months before his death in action . Her grave is to be found in Deneio Cemetery, Pwllheli in North Wales

Visit in the rain

I stopped off at Newark on my way to Duxford a couple of weeks ago , the usual very soggy English weather unfortunately. I was very impressed with the two hangars, clean and well lit with some very interesting exhibits; I appreciate that things have to be packed in tightly but please move the yellow cockpit ladder from in front of the mighty Viggen when not in use.

The Ashton fuselage shows some interesting skinning and rivetting in the nose, are there any long term plans to bring it in from the weather and perhaps open it up?

Lastly the Hastings is an impressive beast, alas showing how our weather plays havoc with the paint finish, the cost of a repaint must be onorous but the old lady looks as if she needs it.

Keep up the good work , I can see a lot of effort goes into maintaining
an excellent collection .