The Varsity
Gnome de PPRuNe
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I cna recall a story about a Varsity that touched down short in a field somewhere, Dishforth I think, bounced over the A1 presumably with the aid of some power and landed properly on the runway - any truth in that one?
The Varsity accident in '84 concerned G-BDFT - another casualty was the founder of Flypast, Mike Twite.
Only Varsities I ever saw flying were the RAE Farnborough aircraft which were regulars over my school, and an American registered one I saw at Biggin in about 1978 - took off and did a couple of low runs along 29 before presumably heading across the Pond. Wonder whatever became of it?
The Varsity accident in '84 concerned G-BDFT - another casualty was the founder of Flypast, Mike Twite.
Only Varsities I ever saw flying were the RAE Farnborough aircraft which were regulars over my school, and an American registered one I saw at Biggin in about 1978 - took off and did a couple of low runs along 29 before presumably heading across the Pond. Wonder whatever became of it?
Last edited by treadigraph; 4th Jul 2006 at 17:14.
Back in '74, there was one operaitng out of West Malling c/s 'Bluebell 1'. It just seemed to circle round the Gatwick Control Zone every day; possibly a maintenance base?
I seem to remember that the Hercules 264 in the Varsity was a derated Hermes engine but it was still pretty powerful.
As someone mentioned before it was a very smooth sleeve valve engine. I can remember someone saying that the definition of a genius was someone who could describe the principles of a sleeve valve engine without the use of a blackboard or a working model!
We used to change gear at around 6,000 ft in the climb (from M to S I think) and it used to go very, very quiet. This was the perfect time to fail an engine on your mate for it would take him ages to find out.
Now the Hercules had a thing in it called a "double-beat reset valve". This expression has stuck with me for 44 years but I do not have a clue as to what such a valve actually did! Can anyone out there illuminate me?
As someone mentioned before it was a very smooth sleeve valve engine. I can remember someone saying that the definition of a genius was someone who could describe the principles of a sleeve valve engine without the use of a blackboard or a working model!
We used to change gear at around 6,000 ft in the climb (from M to S I think) and it used to go very, very quiet. This was the perfect time to fail an engine on your mate for it would take him ages to find out.
Now the Hercules had a thing in it called a "double-beat reset valve". This expression has stuck with me for 44 years but I do not have a clue as to what such a valve actually did! Can anyone out there illuminate me?
Hi
When I was a little Air Cadet we had our Summer Camp at raf Topcliffe in the early 60s.To get everyone airborne for AEF the flew (Night Flights) us in Varsitys. To say we were not impressed would be a gross understatement when the Pilot offered us a greasy Sausage Roll that ha had been keeping warm on a heater under the seat and also we were terrified that a window was going to fly out over the N SEA (that's when we found out that ADRENALIN IS BROWN)To add to that we were all issued harnesses for chest type chutes and in mid flight some Idiot deproyed his chute (TO SEE IF IT WORKED)
When I was a little Air Cadet we had our Summer Camp at raf Topcliffe in the early 60s.To get everyone airborne for AEF the flew (Night Flights) us in Varsitys. To say we were not impressed would be a gross understatement when the Pilot offered us a greasy Sausage Roll that ha had been keeping warm on a heater under the seat and also we were terrified that a window was going to fly out over the N SEA (that's when we found out that ADRENALIN IS BROWN)To add to that we were all issued harnesses for chest type chutes and in mid flight some Idiot deproyed his chute (TO SEE IF IT WORKED)
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I well remember a Varsity arriving at Valley circa '61 driven by a Master Pilot whose face had worn out three bodies. Passing over Snowdonia the aircraft had hit a standing wave causing considerable mayhem.
A Signaller,sitting unstrapped in the right hand seat was sent on an airbourne inspection of the aircraft interior, narrowly missing a groundcrew bod who was making bouncing cycles from the bomb aimers couch to the top of the aircraft. The aircraft ladder too, joined in, until embedding itself in the fuselage. Reports of a WAAF screaming in the Elsen proved unfounded.
The ashen faced Pilot spilt his first coffee with handshake when safely on the ground.
I recall being only mildly concerned re standing waves at Valley given my overpowered Vampire experience until the following month when we were all posted on Varsity training!
A Signaller,sitting unstrapped in the right hand seat was sent on an airbourne inspection of the aircraft interior, narrowly missing a groundcrew bod who was making bouncing cycles from the bomb aimers couch to the top of the aircraft. The aircraft ladder too, joined in, until embedding itself in the fuselage. Reports of a WAAF screaming in the Elsen proved unfounded.
The ashen faced Pilot spilt his first coffee with handshake when safely on the ground.
I recall being only mildly concerned re standing waves at Valley given my overpowered Vampire experience until the following month when we were all posted on Varsity training!
Anyone know any history for the Varsity that used to be on the LBA/EGNM fire dump until the runway extension in the mid 80's. I think it was WL678.
Did it just come from straight the RAF?
Coupla times as kids in the late 70's we used to sneak under a hole in the fence and go have a look round this semi-burnt out beast. I remember the spar running straight through the fus. and the stripped out cockpit. One engine was detached on it's own - sitting apart with it's prop and looked really new.
Did it just come from straight the RAF?
Coupla times as kids in the late 70's we used to sneak under a hole in the fence and go have a look round this semi-burnt out beast. I remember the spar running straight through the fus. and the stripped out cockpit. One engine was detached on it's own - sitting apart with it's prop and looked really new.
Originally Posted by JW411
It says here:
WL678 527/116/115 Sqns. Sold 21.5.70 to Leeds Airport for fire practice.
WL678 527/116/115 Sqns. Sold 21.5.70 to Leeds Airport for fire practice.
cos you've just written it Gimmie a clue - what's your source ?
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We used to change gear at around 6,000 ft in the climb (from M to S I think) and it used to go very, very quiet.
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Originally Posted by treadigraph
Only Varsities I ever saw flying were the RAE Farnborough aircraft which were regulars over my school, and an American registered one I saw at Biggin in about 1978 - took off and did a couple of low runs along 29 before presumably heading across the Pond. Wonder whatever became of it?
Details can be found here: http://aviation-safety.net/database/...e.php?type=494
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From the Aviation Safety Website:
Narrative:
The Varsity aircraft landed hard with the right main gear off the side of the runway, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Due to the impact, the left wing folded aft and the right wing twisted 30 degrees leading edge down. The aircraft wheel track is only 4 feet less than the width of the runway. The pilot did not have a type rating for the Varsity plane.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
"Judgment .. poor .. pilot in command
Overconfidence in personal ability .. pilot in command
Level off .. misjudged .. pilot in command
Inadequate initial training .. pilot in command
Lack of total experience in type of aircraft .. pilot in command
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area .. selected .. pilot in command
Proper alignment .. not attained .. pilot in command
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
Flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator .. inoperative"
Narrative:
The Varsity aircraft landed hard with the right main gear off the side of the runway, causing the undercarriage to collapse. Due to the impact, the left wing folded aft and the right wing twisted 30 degrees leading edge down. The aircraft wheel track is only 4 feet less than the width of the runway. The pilot did not have a type rating for the Varsity plane.
PROBABLE CAUSE:
"Judgment .. poor .. pilot in command
Overconfidence in personal ability .. pilot in command
Level off .. misjudged .. pilot in command
Inadequate initial training .. pilot in command
Lack of total experience in type of aircraft .. pilot in command
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area .. selected .. pilot in command
Proper alignment .. not attained .. pilot in command
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:
Flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator .. inoperative"
Gnome de PPRuNe
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Thanks Vick, that is indeed the one (my memory is getting better, I've stopped eating chocolate!). Sad end for a nice aeroplane.
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What was the relationship, (if any), between the Wellington, Viking, Varsity & Valletta?
Obviously, the geodetic construction was abandoned after the Wellington (Warwick?) but was the Viking a civilianised, monocoque development of the Wimpey?
It was all a bit before my time.
Obviously, the geodetic construction was abandoned after the Wellington (Warwick?) but was the Viking a civilianised, monocoque development of the Wimpey?
It was all a bit before my time.
