WHY WHY WHY did some IDIOT decide to cut up a complete decent airframe. As we all know the RAF are unlikely to let anyone have a complete one when they retire them.
SOMEONE should be locked up for this for say 25 - 30 years or deported to the colonies!
Whats going to be next? The Super at Duxford?
OUTRAGEOUS & UNNECCESARY
Wilful destruction of a public exhibit G-ARVM Cosford
-
Murray Keene
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:14 am
-
Jelle Hieminga
- Webmaster
- Posts: 789
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Amsterdam
- Contact:
I can understand your anger Murray, but believe me that everything was done to find a more suitable outcome for her. There were two main issues:
1. Maximum size for transportation - The recovery effort was limited by the route that was to be taken, and the absolute maximum size that could be squeezed between lampposts in some places.
2. Costs of restoration - It is no good taking on an airliner (or any sizeable chunk thereof) if you can't restore it and keep it in good nick. The wings, engine nacelles, tail and undercarriage of 'VM were just too far gone to justify saving them. Spitfires sometimes get rebuilt to airworthy standard from a lot less, but that's only because someone is willing enough to chuck truckloads of cash their way. That just wasn't going to happen in this case.
Small housekeeping note: I've moved all the 'VM related topics to this section, keeping the story together.
1. Maximum size for transportation - The recovery effort was limited by the route that was to be taken, and the absolute maximum size that could be squeezed between lampposts in some places.
2. Costs of restoration - It is no good taking on an airliner (or any sizeable chunk thereof) if you can't restore it and keep it in good nick. The wings, engine nacelles, tail and undercarriage of 'VM were just too far gone to justify saving them. Spitfires sometimes get rebuilt to airworthy standard from a lot less, but that's only because someone is willing enough to chuck truckloads of cash their way. That just wasn't going to happen in this case.
Small housekeeping note: I've moved all the 'VM related topics to this section, keeping the story together.
Buttons . . . check. Dials . . . check. Switches . . . check. Little
colored lights . . . check.
colored lights . . . check.
-
Murray Keene
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:14 am
-
Tonkenna
- Posts: 684
- Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2002 7:32 pm
- Location: Boldly going!
- Contact:
-
Murray Keene
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:14 am
Hmmm
just reading back over some old topics. It has occured to me that several large aircraft are preserved. The Connie, the lancaster there is a Vulcan on the books to fly again soon, ummm, allegedly a Trident is being prepped by the Trident group to take to the skies again so WHY couldnt someone have thought for 2 seconds BEYOND their wallets and kept Victor Mike in one piece.
It makes me MAD the limp wristed way we seem to go about 'preservation' in this country. In 50 years some one will ask "oh I wonder why they let all the old aircraft just vanish like that?" I'm pretty sure if Branson was approached and allowed to stick his naked lady on the VC10 in some shape or form or get his name on it - THERE is your sponsor. After all he was ready to buy several Concordes but the merchant bankers at BA said "NO we would rather hide it thanks - its embarrassed us too much"
Too much of our heritage is being lost beacuse the 'Aston Martin' brigade want a new GOFF course or its doesnt quite keep with ones locality. Very sad for the children who will grow up never to see our old aircraft except in Google or Wikipedia!
just reading back over some old topics. It has occured to me that several large aircraft are preserved. The Connie, the lancaster there is a Vulcan on the books to fly again soon, ummm, allegedly a Trident is being prepped by the Trident group to take to the skies again so WHY couldnt someone have thought for 2 seconds BEYOND their wallets and kept Victor Mike in one piece.
It makes me MAD the limp wristed way we seem to go about 'preservation' in this country. In 50 years some one will ask "oh I wonder why they let all the old aircraft just vanish like that?" I'm pretty sure if Branson was approached and allowed to stick his naked lady on the VC10 in some shape or form or get his name on it - THERE is your sponsor. After all he was ready to buy several Concordes but the merchant bankers at BA said "NO we would rather hide it thanks - its embarrassed us too much"
Too much of our heritage is being lost beacuse the 'Aston Martin' brigade want a new GOFF course or its doesnt quite keep with ones locality. Very sad for the children who will grow up never to see our old aircraft except in Google or Wikipedia!
-
Jelle Hieminga
- Webmaster
- Posts: 789
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Amsterdam
- Contact:
The fate of G-ARTA is described on this page.
Murray, trust me on the fact that 'VM would never have been a candidate for a restoration to airworthy. If you look at the amount of work the TVOC needs to do to get the Vulcan back in the air, and the associated amounts of hard cash then I would really think twice, even thrice, before starting on a project like that. 'VM was too far gone, and if someone would want a flying VC10 then an ex-RAF example would be a far better starting point.
I doubt that a Trident is being prepped for flight by the way. There has been talk of getting the Comet back in the air again, but that has quieted down again.
Murray, trust me on the fact that 'VM would never have been a candidate for a restoration to airworthy. If you look at the amount of work the TVOC needs to do to get the Vulcan back in the air, and the associated amounts of hard cash then I would really think twice, even thrice, before starting on a project like that. 'VM was too far gone, and if someone would want a flying VC10 then an ex-RAF example would be a far better starting point.
I doubt that a Trident is being prepped for flight by the way. There has been talk of getting the Comet back in the air again, but that has quieted down again.
Buttons . . . check. Dials . . . check. Switches . . . check. Little
colored lights . . . check.
colored lights . . . check.
-
Murray Keene
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 11:14 am
yes I think I must have heard wrong but the Trident that was taken from here at heathrow a few years back is in SUPERB condition and I reckon with some hard work she could get her CAW certificate again!
You are right though - someone needs to approach the MOD when they get ready to bin the last VC's and ask them for a COMPLETE one that has literally finished flying the day before AND a couple of conways, flap gearboxes, undercarriage pivot beams and spares. I'm sure they will be too glad to have someone take it all away to save them doing it!
OH dont forget jacks and tressles! We will need those for undercarriage functionals!
You are right though - someone needs to approach the MOD when they get ready to bin the last VC's and ask them for a COMPLETE one that has literally finished flying the day before AND a couple of conways, flap gearboxes, undercarriage pivot beams and spares. I'm sure they will be too glad to have someone take it all away to save them doing it!
OH dont forget jacks and tressles! We will need those for undercarriage functionals!
-
Jelle Hieminga
- Webmaster
- Posts: 789
- Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2002 9:03 pm
- Location: Amsterdam
- Contact:
The Trident which moved from Heathrow to Manchester is indeed in good condition, but I seriously don't think it will ever fly again. For starters there were a few feet missing from each wingtip when I last saw her at Heathrow, and to get her to Manchester they had to cut some sections as well. For the full story check out the website: http://www.zulukilo.org.uk
Buttons . . . check. Dials . . . check. Switches . . . check. Little
colored lights . . . check.
colored lights . . . check.