Beagle B.206
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 12,790
Originally Posted by Quemerford
This was 7449M, which wasn't an RAF aircraft but as I recall donated (by Rolls-Royce?) after an accident. Very comfy and a welcome windbreak when doing engine runs on a windy airfield in the Chilterns. I last saw it on a Queen Mary at Lyneham (early 90s?)
Maintenance number is 8449M (7449M was a Spit).
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: CEH2 (Black Diamond, Alberta)
Posts: 5,577
When I was doing my Special Flying Award at White Waltham, all of us cadets were used as unpaid labour for ground handling and refuelling. I particularly remember refuelling B.206 G-ATHO one day because it took a long time, while holding the heavy, awkward hose and nozzle - each tank had a capacity of nearly 100 gallons.
Yeah, right, I'm sure there was a commercially viable case for that in the 1960s! It must be nice to have a tax-deductible toy.
An unusual use was for one of the first aircraft registered G-ATHO which was bought by Maidenhead Organ Studios Limited for transporting electronic organs.
Thought police antagonist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Where I always have been...firmly in the real world
Posts: 85
Originally Posted by Quemerford
It was indoors at Brooklands: will it be undercover at East Midlands?
It is located outdoors, currently covered with tarps, because unfortunately, whilst the Aeropark has many plus points, what it doesn't have is extensive indoor exhibition space, as such, apart from a small area which is currently full. Some fascinating bits and pieces in there however. Obviously closed at present, but, if all goes to plan, along with similar displays, should re-open later this year. Worth a visit therefore...also has the Sherriff which is another "what if " type that 's worth a closer look at the history and intended development .
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: wales
Posts: 460
the story about the prop tips was from entry into service at Andover on the grass , think that was what prompted the move to bovingdon ? nice aircraft to work on as looked after ETPS one and the the regal beagle 770 and 765 for a while at boscombe. Used to take seats out for cargo trips to benbecula for army missile trials i recall.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Co. Down
Age: 79
Posts: 575
Halfpenny Green exhibit
I remember seeing an ex-RAF Basset in clearly recognisable livery mouldering away at Halfpenny Green in 1978. As I was told, the owner had bought it from MoD, had it civil certified, and celebrated by taking a trip to Madeira, as one would. On his return the brakes failed, the Basset took to the fields, and the hapless owner was trying to find spares ... with zero success.
Around that time the Pup was subject to a mandatory mod to (I think) the rudder control, access to which required a hole cut through the stressed fuselage below the elevator leading edge. Memory dim after 40+ years but I think the hole had to be riveted shut afterwards, then re-opened for repeat inspections every so many hours. Good for our maintenance business, not so good for engineers' fingers -- still have the scar -- and very bad for Pup owners. Lovely to fly but totally impractical compared with US competitors.
Around that time the Pup was subject to a mandatory mod to (I think) the rudder control, access to which required a hole cut through the stressed fuselage below the elevator leading edge. Memory dim after 40+ years but I think the hole had to be riveted shut afterwards, then re-opened for repeat inspections every so many hours. Good for our maintenance business, not so good for engineers' fingers -- still have the scar -- and very bad for Pup owners. Lovely to fly but totally impractical compared with US competitors.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 57
Posts: 8,023
There appear to have been 14 ex RAF Bassets registered in the G-BCI*/J* sequence in July 74 - apart from the ex Aussie 206s at Biggin in the 70s, there were several ex RAF examples based - in fact I think one is still there with a US reg.
G-BCIV was the one that pranged at 1/2p Green - seems it was indeed a write off. Happened just before Christmas '77.
G-BCIV was the one that pranged at 1/2p Green - seems it was indeed a write off. Happened just before Christmas '77.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 57
Posts: 8,023
N181WW is, I think, at Biggin and reputedly still active, though I've never seen it flying locally - it was G-BCJF and based there with Tony Mattacks way back when.
Re the RFDS 206s, I found some of my old spotter logs when clearing out the loft last year (cough!), so consulted the relevant one - I saw two at Biggin in December '78 (VH-FDB and F). Memory suggested that the third (VH-FDA) had pranged on the way home - apparently it did, at Corfu. Another faint memory is that it hit a flock of seagulls and ditched just after take off.
Biggin was great for vintage hand-me-downs back then, three T-28s, Caribou, Ju-52s, Harvards... I presume some of those may have been Don Bullock and/or Ted White.
Re the RFDS 206s, I found some of my old spotter logs when clearing out the loft last year (cough!), so consulted the relevant one - I saw two at Biggin in December '78 (VH-FDB and F). Memory suggested that the third (VH-FDA) had pranged on the way home - apparently it did, at Corfu. Another faint memory is that it hit a flock of seagulls and ditched just after take off.
Biggin was great for vintage hand-me-downs back then, three T-28s, Caribou, Ju-52s, Harvards... I presume some of those may have been Don Bullock and/or Ted White.
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 123
We must not forget the last attempt at fixing the 206's short comings, the Series 3. Two produced and one seems to still exist in Brazil according to this JetPhotos listing.
Many years ago I remember seeing this aircraft in the flesh taxying past the departure lounge in Sao Paulo as I waited for my flight home and thinking I'll remember this for ever.
I did!
Many years ago I remember seeing this aircraft in the flesh taxying past the departure lounge in Sao Paulo as I waited for my flight home and thinking I'll remember this for ever.
I did!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Reading, UK
Posts: 12,790
Originally Posted by VictorGolf
I have a photograph (but not the ability to upload it) of G=FLYP at the Abingdon Country Fair on 6th May 2012.It was in the visiting aircraft park so I assume it had flown in.
Those two outings would have accounted for more hours than it flew in the entire 4 years from 2006 to 2010, if the CAA is to be believed.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: East Sussex
Posts: 192
Originally Posted by treadigraph
Biggin was great for vintage hand-me-downs back then, three T-28s, Caribou, Ju-52s, Harvards... I presume some of those may have been Don Bullock and/or Ted White.
