simonchowder
15th Sep 2009, 09:55
Looks like the end for a site with much history, produced the lanc and vulcan amongst other notable aircraft
BBC NEWS | Business | BAE Systems 'to cut 1,100 jobs' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8256404.stm)
i used to go to the air shows as a kid i will never forget the vulcan displays, fantastic stuff
IrishJetdriver
17th Sep 2009, 20:29
Sad indeed. Was there when the RJX made maiden flight. Now it's just rotting round the back of the sim centre.
steveskinner
17th Sep 2009, 22:10
BAE announced the closure of Woodford (and Brough) in 2012, at least two years ago. So it is nothing new.
BAE has shown little interest in attracting new work to the Woodford factory, which it could if it wanted to. Why send all the refurbishment work of BAE Asset Management 146/RJs and ATPs to Kemble and ATP/146 freight door conversions to Romania? Could be done at the factory which built them.
BAE took the same attitude towards Airbus refurbishment / freight door installation work at Filton, did it for several years and then gave up.
When Woodford and Brough are gone, BAE will have only Warton and Samlesbury for aircraft manufacture and how long are they expected to last? Is the aviation industry to go the way of the car industry and ship building? Remember Weybridge, Kingston, Hatfield, etc. Didn't they achieve something?
Look across the Channel to France and Germany; countries which believe in a vibrant aircraft manufacturing industry. Can you imagine that their Governments would have permitted them to withdraw from Airbus, Europe's most successful aircraft manufacturer as ours allowed BAE to sell its stake in it. Well I suppose we do have got one compensation - we've got banking!