Alcock and Brown
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Holly Tree Cottage, Wanborough
Age: 74
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The only photo I've been able to find of the Vimy's cockpit is here: https://www.ssplprints.com/image/827...-aircraft-1919
That only shows a compass, altimeter and a slip indicator. Although they penetrated clouds, they were not exactly equipped to do so. In contrast, Lindbergh's Spirit was better equipped for this. Then again, the instruments in the Vimy were all that was available at the time.
That only shows a compass, altimeter and a slip indicator. Although they penetrated clouds, they were not exactly equipped to do so. In contrast, Lindbergh's Spirit was better equipped for this. Then again, the instruments in the Vimy were all that was available at the time.
Vasco, Thanks for that, I'm so pleased. Having once held a Flight Nav Licence and spent some years navigating on cross channel races out of Cowes, I still retain an intereset in those arcane arts. Are you able to post the photo of the sextant?
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Auckland, NZ
Age: 79
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The only photo I've been able to find of the Vimy's cockpit is here: https://www.ssplprints.com/image/827...-aircraft-1919
That only shows a compass, altimeter and a slip indicator. Although they penetrated clouds, they were not exactly equipped to do so. In contrast, Lindbergh's Spirit was better equipped for this. Then again, the instruments in the Vimy were all that was available at the time.
That only shows a compass, altimeter and a slip indicator. Although they penetrated clouds, they were not exactly equipped to do so. In contrast, Lindbergh's Spirit was better equipped for this. Then again, the instruments in the Vimy were all that was available at the time.
Yes, there is, but you can't see it in that linked photo as it's tucked just underneath the coaming on the RH side, next to the VSI:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/bM5diyl48K/alcock
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/bM5diyl48K/alcock
Amazing achievement by Alcock who was only 26 at the time of the flight.
Not only that, he had only obtained his pilots licence 6 1/2 years previously, but had only really been flying for 5 years as he spent 18 months in a POW camp!
I wonder how many hours he had?
Not only that, he had only obtained his pilots licence 6 1/2 years previously, but had only really been flying for 5 years as he spent 18 months in a POW camp!
I wonder how many hours he had?
Last edited by UV; 19th Jun 2019 at 07:18.
Went to the Science Museum in London on Saturday, (29 June)
Saw the Vickers Vimy that crossed the Atlantic 100 years ago. No special mention or any celebration at all. Just the normal small plaque with a few details.
Yesterday (30th June) I was in Hyde Park and the BoB Lancaster flew over three times. I think I was the only person to notice it was something special.
It was the sound I noticed before I saw it, I don't think anyone else looked up for more than a second.
Does nobody care about our aviation history any more?
Saw the Vickers Vimy that crossed the Atlantic 100 years ago. No special mention or any celebration at all. Just the normal small plaque with a few details.
Yesterday (30th June) I was in Hyde Park and the BoB Lancaster flew over three times. I think I was the only person to notice it was something special.
It was the sound I noticed before I saw it, I don't think anyone else looked up for more than a second.
Does nobody care about our aviation history any more?
Thread drift - but will anyone remember 20.17 GMT, 20 July? A similar incredible anniversary..
dixi88,
"Does nobody care about our aviation history any more?"
Not entirely sure that you can speak for EVERYONE who was in Hyde Park or the surrounding area. I was in Victoria park last week when a Dakota flew over, EVERYBODY that I could see was looking up at it.
Aeroplanes over London are extremely common, and if someone is not an aviation enthusiast, why on earth SHOULD they care for our aviation history any more than you care for our musical instrument history?
"Does nobody care about our aviation history any more?"
Not entirely sure that you can speak for EVERYONE who was in Hyde Park or the surrounding area. I was in Victoria park last week when a Dakota flew over, EVERYBODY that I could see was looking up at it.
Aeroplanes over London are extremely common, and if someone is not an aviation enthusiast, why on earth SHOULD they care for our aviation history any more than you care for our musical instrument history?
Went to the Science Museum in London on Saturday, (29 June)
Saw the Vickers Vimy that crossed the Atlantic 100 years ago. No special mention or any celebration at all. Just the normal small plaque with a few details.
Yesterday (30th June) I was in Hyde Park and the BoB Lancaster flew over three times. I think I was the only person to notice it was something special.
It was the sound I noticed before I saw it, I don't think anyone else looked up for more than a second.
Does nobody care about our aviation history any more?
Saw the Vickers Vimy that crossed the Atlantic 100 years ago. No special mention or any celebration at all. Just the normal small plaque with a few details.
Yesterday (30th June) I was in Hyde Park and the BoB Lancaster flew over three times. I think I was the only person to notice it was something special.
It was the sound I noticed before I saw it, I don't think anyone else looked up for more than a second.
Does nobody care about our aviation history any more?
My direct experience of the “management “ there convinces me :
A. They are actually hostile to aviation.
B. They are clueless about aviation history, and the vital part which some aircraft in their “care” have played in the the Uk ( eg the Vimy, E28/39)
C. They are not fit people to be entrusted with these vital aspects of British Aviation history.
D. Certain individuals in their management are either crassly incompetent or downright dishonest. ( and I have documentary evidence from within the Science Museum itself, having used the FOI act to verify that statement ).
E. Their “management” of the treasure trove of stored aviation artefacts at Wroughton is a national disgrace. Compare with Brooklands , Bristol, Elvington, Newark, and the many other superb aviation museums around the UK, indeed the world and I have been to many.
