Victor Airborne (Merged)
.....................
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
From the Daily Express: But another visitor, quick-witted former Group Captain Bob Prothero grabbed the controls and coaxed the monster 150ft back to earth.
As a visitor, how did he manage to get into the cockpit of a "runaway jet"?
Don't we all just love the press!
As a visitor, how did he manage to get into the cockpit of a "runaway jet"?
Don't we all just love the press!
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The BBC local news covered it last night. Good old BBC - a day later than everyone else. Plus they saw fit to interview one Bob Protheroe. Don't know what he had to do with it...?
On a plus note, they did actually show footage of the Victor, not a F15/B1/whatever.
On a plus note, they did actually show footage of the Victor, not a F15/B1/whatever.
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Some of our American cousins think it was deliberate....
This was posted on Avweb along with a video.
AVwebFlash Complete Issue
Victor Bomber - Hero or Hoax?
"At an air show, an old Handley Page Victor bomber was supposed to do a taxiby photo op. Instead, it took off. The explanation? The co-pilot accidentally firewalled the throttles. Really? You be the judge."
Someone needs a slap at Avweb.
This was posted on Avweb along with a video.
AVwebFlash Complete Issue
Victor Bomber - Hero or Hoax?
"At an air show, an old Handley Page Victor bomber was supposed to do a taxiby photo op. Instead, it took off. The explanation? The co-pilot accidentally firewalled the throttles. Really? You be the judge."
Someone needs a slap at Avweb.
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Agree
I'm also no expert in Victors but I have been flying for donkeys years and have done fast taxi runs. Guys, gotta make sure to not not extend the flaps and make sure sure the thrust was reduced before lifting the nose, all that sort of stuff.
Anyway, what about our pay? Im with one of the worlds biggest airlines, and 'the powers are forcing us to lose a days work a month, without pay.
Not good.
Anyway, what about our pay? Im with one of the worlds biggest airlines, and 'the powers are forcing us to lose a days work a month, without pay.
Not good.
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Weird.... are the people at Avweb morons or conspiracy merchants?
If they really wanted to do a hop.... they would NOT have choosen a day with the amount of crosswind there was.
Who was the dumb commentator?
CJ
If they really wanted to do a hop.... they would NOT have choosen a day with the amount of crosswind there was.
Who was the dumb commentator?
CJ
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I like the way the "reporter?
" used his Left hand [from the LHS] to operate [he said] the throttles.....I think that he was twiddling the trim wheel....could be wrong tho'
" used his Left hand [from the LHS] to operate [he said] the throttles.....I think that he was twiddling the trim wheel....could be wrong tho'
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I like the way the "reporter?" used his Left hand [from the LHS] to operate [he said] the throttles.....I think that he was twiddling the trim wheel....could be wrong tho'
The throttles on the Victor are in fact outboard of each pilot I believe.
" used his Left hand [from the LHS] to operate [he said] the throttles.....I think that he was twiddling the trim wheel....could be wrong tho'The throttles on the Victor are in fact outboard of each pilot I believe.
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Didn't think that there was anything wrong at all with the BBC report last night. All the facts appeared to be correct, good bit of film, good cockpit shots, a day late, but who cares. I'd rather see a correct report like last night's than the sensational inaccurate reports by virtually everybody else. Credit where it's due.
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Yes, Airclues, we [and the BBC ] all knew that, but the point of all the broadcasts was that it was now public news that there would be no enquiry, therefore that bit was current news.
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it was now public news that there would be no enquiry
There was an enquiry by the CAA.
The investigation found no evidence that any criminal offence had been committed.
Just another number
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I find it very strange that the incident was not reported by the national press and BBC at the time, whereas the incident was fully reported once the CAA had decided not to prosecute. Since when have the BBC not reported an incident just in case there was a prosecution?
In the articles that I've seen, including the BBC item, the decision not to prosecute is not the main news item.
Hero pilot averted air show disaster after co-pilot hit throttle of giant bomber by mistake | Mail Online
Dave
In the articles that I've seen, including the BBC item, the decision not to prosecute is not the main news item.
Hero pilot averted air show disaster after co-pilot hit throttle of giant bomber by mistake | Mail Online
Dave
Last edited by Captain Airclues; 12th Sep 2009 at 11:29.
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Has it finally died?
Back to the screen again after a great holiday, and 4 crazy days.
Catching up with correspondence in this thread first, people should remember that this run was to be to only 100 Kts. The selection of take off flap was for both aesthetic and technical reasons. I wanted a brake parachute fitted so the aircraft was properly configured, but I would not have streamed it as with that cross-wind it could have put the aircraft into a dangerous swerve as it deployed, and it would have almost certainly taken a door off when jettisoned as the shackle would have been pulled out sideways. ( Known Victor problem) I have already commented on the landing on the grass, and out of interest, the ground was quite hard and the wheels did not significantly dent the surface. I am surprised that anyone thought it would have been better to fly a circuit.
Considering that the videos have been on YouTube for about 4 months, and the CAA concluded their investigation at the begining of August, I was very surprised when the South West News Agency called me on Monday afternoon to talk about the video on YouTube "as a follow up". Having talked my way through it briefly, they wanted a picture to go wth a press release, and said they would get a freelance photographer to call round at 6pm. 6pm came and went, but at 7 a reporter arrived having travelled from Bristol! After going over things yet again and some pictures being taken, he set off back to Bristol, and my parting words were "E Mail me your draft copy so I can check it for fact, and I will bounce it straight back to you." I stayed up late but nothing happened.
7am in the morning, the phone went, and ITN were on to me, talking about the Mail On Line article. For the next three days I was innundated by calls from the BBC, radio stations, national and local newspapers and all - even some of my friends got through! I kept saying it must be a quiet news day, but everyone said "it was a great story"!! Well it was a great story when I read the South West News Agency version on the Daily Mail site, the problem was it was factually incorrect, quoted things I had never said, and was totally sensationalised!! I dont blame ITN or the papers for what they presented, it was the News Agency who "spun" it, presumably to sell it! I only just caught the BBC 6 News that covered it, and did not have time to get my recorder on, and I cannot find it on i player. However, I think it was by far the best including the shots in 715's cockpit, the nosewheel steering, control column, and throttle box. It never mentioned avoiding the spectators (FGS), avoiding housing developments and villages (UGGH); they gave a very good run down of what actually happened. Well done BBC for responsible reporting, and not messing with the Chris Evans show dialogue. I wonder if anyone recorded the 6 O'Clock news version?
Going back over it all - dont believe what you read in the papers!! Also, I think it interesting that the "spectators", "Villages", and "Housing Developments" were included, when none were involved or in danger, and I certainly did not mention them. My guess is the News Agency were tipped off by a "Local" - there are several in the Bruntingthorpe area who want the airfield closed down, and this could have been trouble making. However, what wonderful publicity the Cold War Jets have got for free!! We have already started planning a "Bigger and Better" Open Day next May, possibly including that "tin thing"!
Any volunteers prepared to help? We are desperately short of people who can work on the jets propulsion, electrics, hydraulics, and airframes. Just an afternoon a month would be a great help. See the website.
Best regards Bob
PS I am going to start a new thread "Were you on Victors" - if I can find out how! The Vulcan guys have had it their own way for too long!!
Catching up with correspondence in this thread first, people should remember that this run was to be to only 100 Kts. The selection of take off flap was for both aesthetic and technical reasons. I wanted a brake parachute fitted so the aircraft was properly configured, but I would not have streamed it as with that cross-wind it could have put the aircraft into a dangerous swerve as it deployed, and it would have almost certainly taken a door off when jettisoned as the shackle would have been pulled out sideways. ( Known Victor problem) I have already commented on the landing on the grass, and out of interest, the ground was quite hard and the wheels did not significantly dent the surface. I am surprised that anyone thought it would have been better to fly a circuit.
Considering that the videos have been on YouTube for about 4 months, and the CAA concluded their investigation at the begining of August, I was very surprised when the South West News Agency called me on Monday afternoon to talk about the video on YouTube "as a follow up". Having talked my way through it briefly, they wanted a picture to go wth a press release, and said they would get a freelance photographer to call round at 6pm. 6pm came and went, but at 7 a reporter arrived having travelled from Bristol! After going over things yet again and some pictures being taken, he set off back to Bristol, and my parting words were "E Mail me your draft copy so I can check it for fact, and I will bounce it straight back to you." I stayed up late but nothing happened.
7am in the morning, the phone went, and ITN were on to me, talking about the Mail On Line article. For the next three days I was innundated by calls from the BBC, radio stations, national and local newspapers and all - even some of my friends got through! I kept saying it must be a quiet news day, but everyone said "it was a great story"!! Well it was a great story when I read the South West News Agency version on the Daily Mail site, the problem was it was factually incorrect, quoted things I had never said, and was totally sensationalised!! I dont blame ITN or the papers for what they presented, it was the News Agency who "spun" it, presumably to sell it! I only just caught the BBC 6 News that covered it, and did not have time to get my recorder on, and I cannot find it on i player. However, I think it was by far the best including the shots in 715's cockpit, the nosewheel steering, control column, and throttle box. It never mentioned avoiding the spectators (FGS), avoiding housing developments and villages (UGGH); they gave a very good run down of what actually happened. Well done BBC for responsible reporting, and not messing with the Chris Evans show dialogue. I wonder if anyone recorded the 6 O'Clock news version?
Going back over it all - dont believe what you read in the papers!! Also, I think it interesting that the "spectators", "Villages", and "Housing Developments" were included, when none were involved or in danger, and I certainly did not mention them. My guess is the News Agency were tipped off by a "Local" - there are several in the Bruntingthorpe area who want the airfield closed down, and this could have been trouble making. However, what wonderful publicity the Cold War Jets have got for free!! We have already started planning a "Bigger and Better" Open Day next May, possibly including that "tin thing"!
Any volunteers prepared to help? We are desperately short of people who can work on the jets propulsion, electrics, hydraulics, and airframes. Just an afternoon a month would be a great help. See the website.
Best regards Bob
PS I am going to start a new thread "Were you on Victors" - if I can find out how! The Vulcan guys have had it their own way for too long!!
