Why None Of These Flying ?

[Specnut727]

Mossies

I heard some time ago that Glynn Powell sent 2 fuselage halves to DeHavilland Canada for the wiring and hydraulics to be fitted.

Any news on when they're due back in NZ ?

[mitten]

Gannet in the UK

All,

There has indeed been a deposit put on Wally's Gannet.... and there is a plan to fly it back to the UK in March / April next year...

Got your interest now haven't I!

I am serious, but we haven't inspected the aircraft yet (booked for Jan) nor learnt to drive it.... but it can't be that hard can it?

I am looking for ANY info on the type, pilots notes etc and am happy to pay or collect if required.

Help Please

[Dr Jekyll]

Is it time the BBMF had a Bf 109? Or would that be too controversial?

[RileyDove]

Maybe when they rename it the Luftwaffe Memorial Flight - until then I guess most people are happy with the current machines.

[Dr Jekyll]

My point is that the Bf 109 is relevant to the battle of Britain, while the Lancaster isn't. Incidentally I meant as well as Spitfires and Hurricanes, not instead.

The Battle of Britain display at Hendon includes a 109, a 110, a JU88 and an He111, that isn't called the Luftwaffe display.

[Oscar Duece]

Mitten

Well done than man.

If I had the cash spare, would have got it myself. Just for the sake of doing the right thing by a big British brute of a plane.

There is a guy in the Uk (I think) that used to fly the AEW3 example, now resting @ Sandtoft (ferried there in '97). I'll dig up his name if I can.

I understand there's a fair spares package with her as well. Otherwise the Faa museum might be able to help with sources.

When you get her flying let me know, could be happy to pay costs for a back seat ride.

G-AHAP

[treadigraph]

Think it was a chap named Neil Moffatt that used to fly the Gannet on thge UK circuit...

[hairyclameater]

Yep Neil Moffat was the man.Flew on the display scene 87-88, as it was being used by Dowty on prop noise reserach. Superb to see one airborne again - a real growler, like a mini Shack.Kinda faded away after that although there was some talk about it being resurected a couple of years ago. However from reports, it seems that its in a bit of a state at the mo.

Best of luck to anyone involved with that Gannet from the US attempt - Id rather put money on that than the Vulcan!....

[Jhieminga]

Great news on the Gannet, good luck with the purchase and ferry! (can't say how much I'd be willing to spend, but I'd be interested in the front seat!)

Wanted to add something to the Mossie topic being discussed here: if I remember correctly one of the main problems with getting a mosquite airborne again is on the money side. The costs of restoring one to airworthy condition will be about three times as much as what the aircraft will be worth after the restoration. Compared to a Mustang, for which spares can easily be had (and, compared to a Mossie, cheap too), anyone looking to invest in an aircraft will be deterred by figures like these. I'm guessing similar issues will keep many types on the ground.

[Aerohack]

Used to live not far from RNAS Lee-on-Solent when Gannets were an everyday sight. A formation of Double Mambas certainly got your attention, but nothing equalled the sound made by Wyverns carrying out simulated dive bombing/rocket attacks on Portsmouth Dockyard during the annual Navy Days.

[gruntie]

Wyverns

Weren't Wyverns the same? ie, Double Mamba? (except the prototype which had some vast & complex 24-cyl RR piston engine)

[Aerohack]

Production Wyverns had the Armstrong Siddeley Python driving contra-props. The noise they made in a steep dive was partially engine/prop generated, partially aerodynamic. I can remember it still.