Big Favour Needed

[jimgriff]

Is there anyone out ther who can bring back a crated (and safe) ejection seat (not mil property) from Budafors, Norway (sp?) for me.

Northern Norway is more than I can cope with in a weekend and a van.

It is to be rebuilt in the UK and put back in an F-86 Sabre in new Zealand this summer. The seat will be operational and the return to flight project is well advanced.

I have the travel and permits to NZ sorted.

[Proman]

IMHO: Offer someone like DHL, UPS or Global Express a space for a sticker on the finished a/c and their marketing dep't may bite. At least if they're savvy it'll generate a news release and some publicity which would be good for them and you.

[Green Flash]

Any Noggies coming down for the next JMC? A call to RNoAF HQ - http://odin.dep.no/fd/html/fakta1999/eng/names.html - might be fruitfull? (Then chuck it on on the Kiwi P3 and get it to NZ - way hay!!)

[FJJP]

How about a call to Kinloss - they sometimes have Nimrods going to Noggyland. They might oblige for a slab or 2...

In fact, don't we have one or two of Maritime's finest as regular contributers to this forum?

[jumpseater]

Jim just be aware that depending on how serviceable it is, and its spec, i.e. if it has O2 bottles fitted, it may be considered hazardous cargo/material, and impractical to arrange (expense wise) to send by civvy air.

[jimgriff]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

There is no oxygen system installed. That is all here in the uk.

tHIS IS THE ONLY mK 5 R/J seat in Europe!!!
It will be nice to get it re installed in an F86 and flying again.

Anyone have good suggestions PM me please

[Not on Hercs]

Try Stn Ops at Lyneham. Not really the time of year for them, better in the winter.

[glum]

Or the HOEU, they often travel to silly cold places on trials.

[ORAC]

I presume you mean Bardufoss (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bardufoss_Air_Station)? Which is a joint civil/military airfield. The RNoAF or Coastguard may be able to help. The Bergen Line (http://www.timetableimages.com/maritime/images/bergen.htm) do ferries and freight from Tromso (80km from Bardufoss) to Bergen and Bergen-Newcastle/Bergen-Harwich. So if you contact them they should be able to quote for delivery.

[FOMere2eternity]

Try Stn Ops at Lyneham. Not really the time of year for them, better in the winter.

It's a popular myth to believe Lyneham have any say over where their aircraft go. They may have some sway over a flight purely within the UK, but for anything crossing the FIR there's a 4-monthly application process. Even then, everything is whittled down and prioritised 1-8; nowadays priority 5 is about the lowest priority ever flown. It's far from what most FJ mates think - quick call to their mate on 30...

If there were a Bardufoss task with space I don't honestly know the policy of carrying other people's stuff. I'm guessing in this day of money and litigation you'll get a 'no', but there was a transport fleet survey some years ago which measured spare capacity with an aim to possibly sell it.

Failing that, try and find a vague RAF link - oh I don't know, Douglas Bader once visited the factory - tell someone senior they can have their pic in the paper and you never know...

[jimgriff]

I know that it is more than cheek even to ask, but working on the principle of "If you dont ask......."

I guess that the (very) tenuous military link might have helped as it is a mil seat for an ex mil a/c and the RAF did at one time fly the type. Everyone like to see the old mil a/c fly again.
Without the seat...no more fly....

I am investigating more options and would appreciate any help out there.

regards


jimgriff:ok:

[brickhistory]

Since Uncle Sam flew the type and has assets in the area, an approach to USAF Public Affairs and/or the USAF attache at either the UK or the Norway Embassy. Presented right, it could generate some results - helping out a friend for not much effort, etc.

Good luck!

[Rossian]

Jimgriff check your PMs.