Melvyn

With all due respect – certain forum members are expecting you to be nailing curly bits of metal on your pensioner aircraft not discussing the relative merits of whose is bigger than another. Please return to your aeroplane and report back from angels five – over

Regards
John P

PS some shots of you and said aircraft including an Australian downunder view of the 65th birthday celebration!!!

Hi

In for a penny – in for a pound

One aspect of this is the economic part of the business case for putting a Concorde in East Fortune.

I realise that the numbers of visitors to east fortune have gone up as a result of the arrival of Concorde – I believe it is 50% or some say double (100%) but either way that is impressive.

One argument put forward for the Concorde going to east Fortune is that it will attract crowds.

The following are points that should be looked into in any case not just this one so don’t think I am just singling out poor old EF here (Which I visit as often as I can but Aus is a long way!)

1) Will the anticipated/achieved increase in numbers/takings equate to the cost of moving/ assembling and maintaining the Concorde to EF as well as the possible future cost of new accomodation if this is deemed possible. If it does when is the probable break even date. (I know it is a grant but it is all public money). Would this have been achievable just by directly investing the funds into improvements/restorations and other less costly aquisitions.

2) What is the budget for ongoing Concorde maintaince / facilities costs (Power, cleaning etc) – is that being factored in as an additional cost.

3) Is there a program plan for the whole site with individual project plans for each component of the plan complete with costings and priority determination based upon the required goals.

4) What is the governance model for the site who is responsible to whom , What is the Strategic plan they are working to,who makes decisions and on what advice from whom. What is the compliance assurance process.

At present the perception, based on published material, is that a decision was made that the Concorde was placed there because it will pull crowds much as the Vulcan used to. The issue here is that East Fortune – great Museum it may be will not draw significantly greater crowds in the future just because of Concorde when there are the numbers of them down south. Once the locals have all seen it numbers will taper off and the cost of operation of the exhibit could become cost negative in the longer run given the ongoing investment and this will consequently result in less available resourcing for the other exhibits and priorities like further amenity improvements and restoration.

Again this is not a go at EF just a logical point of view for discussion about any large facility and could just as easily apply to Duxford etc.

Regards
John P

Hi

I can’t have been in the same place then – it is best just to differ on this and move on and I had lunch with the guys off site as I was invited several months ago. I don’t need to have an issue over this it is a difference of opinion that’s all

Regards
John P

Hi

Couldn’t agree more with all of this

On my world tour of UK Aviation sites part 2 I spent a whole day at East Fortune and I can tell you the staff are not happy campers!!! especially the restoration chaps who have been asked not to come to work for a few years !!!!

That is one Concord that will definately never fly again as to add insult to injury they CUT the wings off to move her!!!! Looks really rough job – no wonder it is taking so long to put her back together. Would have made a really nice diving reef !!!

Regards
John P

Hi

Having folding wings doesn’t rule an aircraft out of coming from Iraq as some of the machines sent there were remanufactured from Sea Fury’s and two that came to Aus definately had folding wings already.

John P

Hi

I was told a few weeks back that it is moving and will be operated and /or maintained by a third party on behalf of the RANHF. I was asked not to disclose who etc till it becomes public – hope it is true as it will be nice to see her in the air again.

Regards
John P

Hi

There are many Anson remains here in Australia and several have been or are being restored. We had hundreds of the buggers and a lot survived on farms to be collected later by restorers a lot of damage happens in our climate to the woodwork but much is still left to be restored.

Regards
John P

Hi

You are not fooling me

It’s a specially modified Bristol Centaurus used exclusively in the production of vegamite in the Kraft factory in Brisbane – The use of these explains the shortage of such powerplants in the USA because we love our Vegamite the engines bring premium prices here and the props are spun to keep the flies off the vats of delicous black stuff – five blades are better than 4

Prize may be forwarded to me in Gold soverigns thanks

JP