Phillip RhodesComing Soon – a stunning profile from Pete West and available from http://www.driffieldaerodrome.co.uk. This is a 16in x 12in print of a Gloster Meteor T7 WA591 that was based at Driffield during the early 1950s (with No.203 Advanced Flying School) and which is currently being restored to flying condition by The Meteor Flight. Print run is limited to 100 copies. Not sure on price. At the moment I’m still finalising the print, making sure everything is as good as it can get. What do you think?
Phillip RhodesIt would appear the problem was a lack of communication or rather an incorrect email address (?). I also believe that it was considered likely that the aircraft would remain intact for another week. I can confirm that HeavyLift Cargo agreed to donate the section and that the North Essex Transport Group (who have experience in moving steam trains and carriages) wanted the same. Those responsible for scrapping the aircraft were aware of the situation, but there was a lack of communication (?), which might have been down to an incorrect email address and the assumption that the aircraft was safe for another week. I understand that transport was being prepared and space cleared in the North Essex Transport Group’s display hall. Well, at least an engine was saved, which is something.
And then there was two. Not sure what to say other than what I have written above. I should have double checked eveything with everyone. I guess the devil is in the detail.
Sorry…!
Phil Rhodes
Phillip RhodesSomeone ****** up somewhere. I am rather annoyed – no that’s an understatement, I’m…
HeavyLift Cargo agreed that the cockpit section would be donated to a museum. The people responsible for scrapping the aircraft were informed of this decision. The North Essex Transport Group agreed to collect the section. They had transport arranged.
When I originally suggested that the cockpit section should or could be saved a lot of individuals who frequent this forum blasted me from all directions. But I decided to make a few more enquiries and was surprised that (a) the owners agreed to donate the section and that (b) a local transport group wanted the item, and now…
Was I right to sent all those emails (?) or…
I’m not a happy bunny…
I guess you should never, never count your chickens, until they’ve hatched and been strapped onto the back of a low-loader.
Phillip RhodesHello Everyone
What news the cockpit section of G-BEPS?
I understand that the North Essex Transport Group have first refusal of this section, but does anyone know if this has been carefully removed or has been mashed up?
Regards
Phil Rhodes
P.S. An engine is going to Duxford, or so I am told.
Phillip RhodesFor those who do not have copies of these periodicals close to hand, perhaps you will draw on these to answer the questions posed in post #3?
Without going through my files to confirm this – as far as one can remember – none of the about publications mentioned a place or date of the accident. The pilot’s name also isn’t given.
Phillip RhodesForgot to mention railway programmes on BBC Four.
Why not make my own programmes or work for the big boys?
Firstly there is cost. Channel Four have their First Cut series on Channel Four, which at 24 minutes per documentary come in at a reasonable £40K or thereabouts. A magazine programme might come in (if your lucky) at around £90K per hour. Therefore the only way to make an aviation impact on any schedule is to suggest such programming. Problem is that broadcasters know everything and don’t really like to be told there job. Yes, I can approach C4 with a “Pitch”, but with no experience…
There is also a big difference in quality between broadcast and DVD, which is more my level of experience.
I also wrote a book (about RAF Driffield), which did nothing but make a lot of people angry or worse – indifferent. I was thinking of adding two more chapters, but why bother… I’m also trying to salvage my aviation print business (so I can buy a decent camera and editing PC), while saving parts of Short Belfast G-BEPS : this while trying to save a dear friend from a total mental meltdown, while also trying to find a job. I’m currently researching the Miles M1 Satyr with an aim (maybe?) to building a replica, which I will probably make a film about, and yes I am also trying to make a film about the Airfix Generation.
The best way forward I think is to badger BBC Four to give us a few aviation nights. They’ve done the motorway and railways, etc. Contact details to follow…
Phillip RhodesMichael Northfield from the North Essex Transport Group phoned me this evening. They are still keen on securing the cockpit. They are arranging transport this week and hope to secure the aformentioned section soon. That said, I’m not counting my chickens…
Phil Rhodes
Phillip RhodesI do hope that Phillip Rhodes will justify the statements that he made yesterday. On the assumption that they are justifiable, that justificatication will make a significant contribution to the early history of Miles’ aircraft. So come on Phil, come back into the debate!
The demise of G-ABVG is well documented:
Aeroplane Monthly – December 1977 – Pages 666 to 670
Wingspan No.127 – September 1995 – Pages 34-35, 61
Ultralights – Authur and Publisher Unknown – Pages 172 to 174
The aircraft was kept on the UK register, BUT only part-owned by the aforementioned Japanese Pilot…
WANTED: Pictures of the cockpit of G-ABVG.
Regards
Phil Rhodes
Phillip RhodesThe cockpit section should be going to the North Essex Transport Group, while an expired engine is going to Duxford. That said, I haven’t heard from the North Essex Transport Group in the last ten days or so. They said they were 100% interested in the cockpit and were planning its removal to their base – some 40 miles from Southend (their chairman flew in G-BEPS in the RAF). I hope they haven’t changed their minds, because time is now not on my side…
Phillip RhodesThe Miles Satyr was rebuilt and flew again, but was destroyed in a crash in Belgium. The aircraft had been bought by a Japanese pilot, who failed to recover from an unintentional spin. The pilot was killed and the aircraft written off. The Satyr was removed from the G-Register in September 1936.
Phillip RhodesI think this was the type of bus used in Singapore, but painted white: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianfuller/86377065/
Regards
Phil Rhodes
Phillip RhodesI remember that whilst living in Jalan Kayu, we were transported to school in white single decker buses, with the teachers manning the vehicles.
This is going to sound really sad, but the vehicles in question were Bedford SB3 RAF Buses – with a double door at the rear. The vehicle doubled up as a ambulance and the inside always smelled of disinfectant. The vehicle had that Bedford sound to it as well. Oh, happy memories.
I think this bus started me interested in RAF vehicles. And the SB3? I’ve tried everywhere to see if one still exists in the UK, but nothing. I remember the front grill. I think it was covered in round holes?
Regards
Phil
Phillip RhodesTrue, older than a Comet. Not an Avro York, which has a square fuselage. It’s not a DC2 or DC3 – note the step over main spar. The shape isn’t round. I was thinking of perhaps an FW200 Condor (German transport) or maybe something French. It has a long fuselage. Not a flying boat. Black and White photograph (not digital), so it’s a period image – taken in a factory. The fuselage looks unfinished. All I can think of is a civilian FW200 Condor.
Phillip Rhodes[SNIP] Not airshow related but I have worked on and with trauma victims and seen many of them die. It is not in the least bit entertaining and/or amusing. Caring for a guy with 90% burns following a road accident induced no mirth in me at all.
Regards,
kev35
Kev35, you lucky person for helping so many people. I blew it when it came to a career (what career?). I’m sure you’ve saved a few lives. Well done. There is an old saying: whoever saves one life saves the world entire…
RPSmith you wrote: Who here hasn’t watched film of Bluebird crashing on Coniston more than once?
True, but footage (usually copyrighted) when placed on YouTube is taken out of context. We watched (on TV) the Bluebird flip over because it was part of a story or narrative. I was in tears when they recovered Campbell’s body – draped in a Union Jack.
Regarding sick jokes – sometimes it’s a defence mechanism. Fire-fighters and emergency personal have some of the blackest, darkest sense of humour around – why? Because it helps them cope.
Watching people die in old archive footage from the war – be it the trenches or on the beaches of Normandy or the summer of 1940 over Kent (or in the channel) is part of life – part of watching TV. I don’t like watching a Japanese solder burning to death. Should I switch off? Oh, too late – now it’s a GI getting slaughtered. Yes, we have changed – what was once a taboo subject is now a common site on our screens; moreover some things have become forbidden viewing.
The difference with YouTube, and the type of footage which offends so many on this forum, is that “Death by YouTube” was posted for the sole purpose of “entertaining” those who are unable to gain pleasure from the living.
I would also suggest that a majority of these YouTube viewers do grow up, have families and thereafter their priorities and sensibilities change and mature. How many of use have done something stupid when we were young?, apart from me that is, obviously. I’m catching up…
Phillip RhodesWhat I find rather amusing are the crashes involved large and expensive radio controlled model aircraft – all that hard work, then CRUNCH…
Have I watched air crashes on YouTube? A few, but it’s more on the off-chance of seeing the response by RFFS crews. Oh, to own my own little aerodrome complete control tower, hangar and bright red fire engine. One day…
I’m more concerned by “happy slappers” than sad people who post pictures of people dying. Unlike air crashes, those who walk up to complete strangers in the street, then hit and punch them – this with the sole aim of posting footage of their crime on the internet are real scum bags. People who post footage of fatal air crashes are just sad.
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