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Lodrun

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June 5, 2015 at 12:27 pm in reply to: Auster J1 G-AGTO #895818

Lodrun
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I flew in G-AGTO several times with Cliff Barnett before I had a PPL. Soon after, Cliff took me through the PPL himself (Cessnas). Later still, Cliff was going to check me out in G-AGTO, but as we taxied out the tacho stopped working, so we had to abort. Soon after that he went to work for Flight where, tragically, he lost his life in the mid ’80s. I have still never soloed an Auster.

By the way, G-AGTO was silver with red markings then. The upholstery was also red.

May 6, 2015 at 8:09 pm in reply to: Hawker Tempest at Staverton? #917417

Lodrun
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You are right that the Tempest engine was seized, but I still have a feeling that Les Page was able to free it and get it running. You are also right about the Trolley Acc point – I remember it. I was also involved with the Skyfame team in the late 60s and knew all those guys. Memories!

May 6, 2015 at 7:58 pm in reply to: Airspeed Oxford #917422

Lodrun
Participant

A few amendments, late in the day. Nevil Shute Norway was born in England but later settled in Australia. He worked under Barnes Wallis on the R100 project, as chief stress engineer. After the cancellation of the project he founded Airspeed Ltd, together with A. Hessel Tiltman, who was a talented, De Havilland trained designer. Norway was Managing Director and Tiltman was Chief Designer. Tiltman who responsible for the early Airspeed designs, including the Ferry, Courier and Envoy. The Oxford was developed from the Envoy.

July 12, 2013 at 12:31 pm in reply to: Hawker Tempest at Staverton? #934136

Lodrun
Participant

Only just seen this. I believe that the Tempest engine was overhauled to running condition by a local Flight One engineer called Les Page. I am pretty sure it was a cartridge starter (as was the Firefly). You probably witnessed an early attempt to start it. I have a feeling that Les did some tail up ‘taxying’ with the Tempest.

September 14, 2012 at 10:10 am in reply to: Shuttleworth's DH88 Comet doesn't return to the skies Oct 7th? #1055090

Lodrun
Participant

Mosquito first flight

Coincidentally, the Ardmore DH98 is scheduled to fly at around the same time as the DH88. Perhaps the most valuable pair of historic aircraft in the world?

Would be wonderful to see the Comet and Mosquito in formation. Don’t suppose it will ever happen.

February 4, 2012 at 7:18 pm in reply to: 1950's / 1960's Archive Part 39: Survivors #1075343

Lodrun
Participant

Skyfame Oxford

I used to help at the Skyfame museum in the 1960s and early 70s. From memory, the Oxford did not fly beyond 1969. A shortage of funds and (possibly) glue problems grounded it. The collection’s Anson 1 (also now with the IWM) flew on until about 1973 until a landing mishap ended its flying days.

The Oxford now hangs ignominiously from the Airspace hangar roof where visitors cannot even view it properly. As probably the best Oxford in existence, in my view it should be flying. (As far as I know there is no Airspeed design flying anywhere in the world.) I have tried to interest the Shuttleworth collection in trying to acquire it, but to no avail.

February 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm in reply to: A.J. "Rocky" Stone – info needed please #1075350

Lodrun
Participant

I am fairly sure that he was flying Mosquito TA719 at Staverton in 1964 when it finished up crash landing with both engines feathered.

January 21, 2009 at 2:18 pm in reply to: Help with research: 'Skyfame Museum' (2006 Zombie) #1234893

Lodrun
Participant

Malcolm,

Very nice to hear from you. I think you were flying the Anson at least once when I was on board. It is very good to know that John Cole is still with us. I last saw him two years ago in Cheltenham. I guess that you have stopped flying now? I still keep my hand in (on a Shorts 3.60 freighter).

January 13, 2009 at 2:48 pm in reply to: Help with research: 'Skyfame Museum' (2006 Zombie) #1163257

Lodrun
Participant

I also did voluntary work at Skyfame in the late 60’s/early 70’s. Flew in the Anson 1 couple of times. This is now at Duxford and looking very nice (with dorsal turret added) in the Airspace hangar. The Oxford is hanging ignominiously from the ceiling of the same hangar, which is a great pity – it is probably the best Oxford in existence. Somebody (Shuttleworth, Air Atlantique?) needs to prise it from the IWM and get it flying again.

John Cole was one of regular Skyfame pilots at that time. He was lovely guy; years later, I instructed with him at the Cotswold Aero Club.

It would be good to hear from any of the old Skyfame crew from those days.

Ian Statham
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Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)