Naming names
where appropriate i have done so, where inappropriate i have omitted names - intentionally.
February 2008
a public announcement made by the VTST Chairman Keith Mans that if adequate funding was not found by the 31st March 2008, the project would be wound up. it was nothing more than a statement; no plea for we club/forum members to actually do anything other than donate. a few of us put some considerable time into a hugely successful publicity campaign regarding 558's plight (in particular an email campaign which was a forum incentive) in less than three weeks, the funds were found, club membership doubled (something which has not occurred since), fantastic press coverage and even a Parliamentary Early Day Motion. we unquestionably saved 558 at that time and enabled the test flight programme to proceed.
Structure
again, I'm not in any official capacity to give a full flow-diagram of the 'new-look' TVOC but i am aware that the whole project has been compartmentalised into three specific areas, with a clearly defined 'line of command' for each.
whereas before, the stock answer to a problem was usually "well if i had been aware then i would've done something about it" - no more! everyone knows what their defined role is, who reports to them etc etc - just like any other organisation
Other
Tim McLelland - i too have spoken to many people involved directly with 558 and i
do agree that vast amounts have been wasted. this however does
not equate to an institutionalised attitude of "wow, this Vulcan project is a fab opportunity to line my own pockets and deceive the public!"
i struggle to think of one single TVOC employee who had a thought like that! ineptitude, inefficiency and poor management are a far cry from criminal behaviour!
i agree about the sponsorship problems - the fact is that there was never really anything that they would get for their money. i think that sponsorship
will come, once the whole project is given a proper focus, and that they can be seen to be a properly organised and managed organisation.
Tim McLelland - there's a gulf of difference between those that
can do something and those that actually get down and
do it! Dr. P
did start the ball rolling and achieved something quite remarkable in that, in a sea of people who said that the CAA would never allow a complex ex-mil jet to fly in civvy hands, looked at the facts and said "well there's nowhere that says it
can't be done!" Long before any restoration started, Dr P managed to gather the required support from OEMS etc - not an inconsiderable achievement when you realise the complexity of what was involved.
i have a huge respect for what he achieved in that respect but i seriously question his abilities as a manager and project-leader
Blacksheep - point taken! i don't follow football so it was probably not the best analogy, but I'm sure you take my point anyway!
sm