Good news, lets hope it is heading south as I heard a few days ago? Time will tell.

Blackbushe would be perfect, two runways with about 4000ft left intact, mile or so of perimeter track, plenty of ripped up runway where it proved too tough for the bulldozers in the 60’s. There are also a few pan handle dispersal’s, and remains of the bomb dump. All very accessible, drop me a line if you are visiting and I can guide you round if I am around.

Thanks R6915 so it was true. Maybe it was Staravia, they had several local yards at Lasham, Church Crookham, Finchhampsted, and probably others. IIRC they all closed down in the late 60’s. Maybe they finally relocated to these very private tunnels after using them for storage for some time? Interesting stuff.

The RAFM definitely come out with egg on their face. The options were to leave it there, recover it to display in the UK, recover it and sell on the open market, or recover it and leave it to the Egyptians. The last option was arguably the worse? On the first option I have no idea how accessible it actually was and how long it would have remained in tact? Surely the RAFM would not have funded the Kennett expedition if these was no expectation of it being placed on display in the UK???? Of course they may have had a verbal agreement before the regime changed? What ever the outcome lets hope that the RAFM has learnt something by this episode?

Very sad news. We were originally going to Sydney this Christmas but had to delay for a couple of years. A flight in the Beaver was high on my list, so maybe a lucky escape.

Gutted the Ryan wasn’t present but great to see the aircraft under restoration. Great turnout by people too, we got there about 10:45 and it was already packed.Great to get away from the family and see some aircraft!

Thanks, there was certainly no shortage of 52’s in 1945 and using them for training would have been ideal use. The BEA ones were a bit if waste of time. They did incense Jersey residents by sending a 52 there, they were regular visitors during the occupation that finished on months before.

It was probably C-82 45-57784 that was with the RAE 1950-51 for trails. This was just a loan machine in standard USAF silver. Have seen photos of it at Blackbushe clearing customs to/from Frankfurt for maintenance.