There was a an article in flypast recently about this aircraft and one of the pics had a caption of whats left of the aircraft?? It showed a small pile of parts including the tail section. I was wondering if this aircraft was scrapped or had an accident or something or was this photo taken up[on its reassembly??
Any ideas?

Peter,

This is how the Seafire looked on its first flight in over 50 years. Quite different from the pile of bits in the other photo. This shot was taken over Breckenridge, Texas just after 10.00am on 14 April last year.

If you want to see the full history of VP441, get hold of the July 2004 issue of FlyPast and check out pages 58 – 66.

Richard,

Just seen your post. I would very much like to attend but it is 2 days too late for me. I fly to the States on 12 May! There will be a side trip whilst there. Guess where and for what!!

Regards,

Laurie.

The last flight of XB281 was from Boscombe Down to Southend on Friday 8th October 1971 it was mostly operated with its Clam doors removed for para drop trails, it was also reported to be the only Bev to fly accross the Atlantic for cold weater trials in Canada, which is why the maple leaf was stuck on the nose.

Have found reference to 2 aircraft, XB260 and XB262, being used for cold weather trials in Canada but could find nothing on the involvement of XB261 in these tests. Do you have any more details?

Have also found reference to 9 other Bev’s being used by Boscombe at various times. They were XB259, XB260, XB262, XB263, XB266, XB269, XB284, XL150 and XL151. Periods with A&AEE ranged from a couple of years to 1 or 2 months, depending on the trials.

Regards,

Laurie.

Have just found the photo in question. Here it is.

Also, looking through Airliners.net, it seems that the Varsity at Brooklands is being prepped for a finish in this style. Click on the link for photo:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/750566/M/

BR

Laurie.

Is it not a Varsity? as the forward fuselage looks a bit long for the a tail sitting Valetta..

A225HVY

I tend to agree with A225HVY that this is a Varsity rather than a Valetta. Not only is the forward fuselage a little long, it also appears deeper than the Valetta. There are several other pointers in the direction of the Varsity in the photo as well.

Firstly, the cockpit glazing is more reminiscent of the Varsity. The last window aperture in the Valletta was normally more square than that in the photo

Secondly. the intakes above the engine cowlings are also more in the style of the Varsity than the Valetta. On the Valetta, these intakes were not as broad, they were more rounded and also set further back on the cowlings.

Lastly, looking at the wings of the aircraft in the photo, around one third distance in from the tips, there are some strakes/fences running back across the wing. In the photos that I have of these 2 aeroplanes, only the Varsity has these.

Can’t help regarding location though.

BR,

Laurie.

I watched the waves coming ashore here on the north coast of Penang Island, Malaysia. The whole thing was very scary. I attach a couple of photos taken at the time.

On Penang, we were luckier than most other areas in that the waves were a little smaller. However, they left a trail of death and destruction in their wake. Seventeen people were drowned on the beaches close to my apartment here. Around 21 are still missing from around the Penang area.

Although the numbers are smaller compared to places like Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and, of course, Indonesia itself, the deep sense of loss is the same.

I’m sure the toughts of all board members are with the victims and their families at this very sad time.

BR

Laurie.