Just resurrecting this old thread as I’d love to get in touch with Ian Huntley re. anything Barracuda related that he may have that could help with The Barracuda Project…anyone?

Thanks for the kind words!

I’m just starting to look into the crew a little more; I think I have found what there is to be seen online re. Oxby, Dobbie and Mew, but I was wondering if anyone out there knew anything? It would be nice to find more photos of the men, and to inform the families of the aircraft’s rebuild, and so on.

Plus I’m interested in the squadron (769 NAS, we think) records for the aircraft- anyone? There seems to be so little info at the minute- I think a 769 aircraft would have had the letters ‘E4’ on it, but I wonder what DP872’s own letter was?

This will either be the greatest of triumphs, or a farce…full of doubts as I am though, I do wish them luck!

Thanks guys. Site suggestions/feedback, guestbook entries and even actual volunteers are all welcome.

Received the year’s first LLA journal today- a Dambusters 70th anniversary special- and it’s certainly by far the thickest and most colour-packed ‘Memorial Flight’ that I think I’ve seen yet!

Not a word within though of the recent politics…a mention that their admin business is going to be sent out separately, but not a single word about Stuart Stephenson, after all he’s done? Hmm.

Coincidentally (or not?) the BBMF Club launches tomorrow-

http://www.memorialflightclub.com/#

Thanks everyone for the support and the reasoned discussion- so refreshing after some of the agenda-driven bile we’re being subjected to elsewhere. For what it’s worth, the little poll ended 70-30 in our favour- cheers!

Kev, the statement does not mention the true background to any of this. It was prompted out of her by people who are very much against us, to answer points that were being made online by some of those very same people in the first place.

The best example is the matter of Donald’s remains, which shouldn’t really be being talked about at all. Probably our chief detractor has long stated, in his own words in black and white, that he intends to ‘tell the media’ about the situation with Donald’s remains whenever we run the boat, in an effort to discredit us. That matter is raised by someone hiding behind a username on another forum, is debated at distasteful length, then someone who also has an axe to grind tells Gina, who responds to it. See what’s going on there?

Gina Campbell was at the inquest held for her father, and I can assure you, has long been very well aware of the condition of her father’s remains. As for the recent documentary, I also assure you; she has done nothing but enthuse about and endorse it on her own Facebook page.

I state again- we were approached by ‘the family’ a couple of weeks ago about the boat going on display at Beaulieu next year alongside Donald’s car, to celebrate his famous ‘double’ record in 1964. A fine idea on paper, except for the fact that the boat is not, can not and will not be ready to be moved or displayed in time for that event. So, we said no.

Cue lots of shouting about ownership, and in as many words, about doing as we are told. Bear in mind, the family actually signed ownership of the boat away entirely six and half years ago. It is owned by The Ruskin Museum in Coniston, which is the ONLY right and proper place for the boat to go, at least first. We are on good terms with the museum, who we are working for. After a bit more foot stamping, we get the above ‘statement’.

Call it a conspiracy of sour grapes, call it an attempt to divide and conquer, call it what you will, but there are more people at work here and that ‘statement’ is NOT a true reflection of what’s really been going on.

Now I had no intention of debating this on this fine forum, I just came looking for some support for a small online poll- thanks to everyone that has voted so far, and I hope more will continue to do so.

Trouble is Kev, she’s said ‘yes’ for over a decade, publicly supported it at every turn a thousand times over, personally chose the driver for it and supported us getting the law changed, and thus we’ve got on on that basis and become involved with people at every level from the humblest of volunteers, though major sponsors- some of the highest, biggest companies it’s possible to deal with- the entire Lake District Park authority and right up to the government, all with the aim of rebuilding the craft and giving her a (careful) last hurrah on her home turf, before she’s housed in her own wing of the local museum which has also put a massive stake into it all.

We’re only getting this sudden U-turn now because we dared to say ‘no’ to a request/demand to ‘fudge’ the boat and send it to Beaulieu Motor Museum first next year, which is practically impossible- she’s just not ready for that- and it’s also a massive slap in the face to the people of Coniston.