CL44 Re Union dates
 

According to CL44 Association-re union takes place as advertised ie. 31 Oct and 1 November-details are posted on its website along with Application Forms.

Sitting on the fence
 

Have great view of CL44-O right now but so far no sign of any mincing machine around the aircraft-will eat my sandwiches (minced spam) and await arrival of Guppy Eng. (He would recognise me as the one with no egg-or minced spam ) on my face.
Do I turn up again tomorrow? Has anyone got any news or update for all of us perched on the step ladders with cameras at the ready.
Perhaps someone will tell us enthusiasts WTHIH.

Isnt all spam minced ?

Engine tests again!
 

Guess what?

Found this message today:

"This afternoon European engineers were engine testing
the inboard starboard and outboard port (to less revs} and then
working on these and other starboard engine!"

Yes, "this afternoon" is Monday 28 april 2008...
And yes, this is a local report from someone who does not play games... :=

It Will be scrapped!!! R.I.P CL44 Guppy!!
 

I was visiting Bournemouth today just to see the CL44 Guppy having read what was being said about it maybe turning into Pots & Pans.

I have it on good authority from someone involved in the CL44 that today was probably its last EVER engine run before scrapping.
They were testing out the engines before they are removed & the aircraft gets scrapped starting any day!!

It is such a shame as it looks in good condition for its age & at least 2 of the engines work as they ran them today.
It was a great sound to hear for the very last time.

R.I.P Conroy CL44 Guppy! :{
Go see it while you can!

Whilst searching for something else, I came across this very old photo of the Guppy at EDI; http://www.clourie.co.uk/turnhouse/image00178.jpg There's no caption with the photo so I don't know the date or the purpose of the flight. Judging by the vehicles in the photo I'd guess that it was mid 70's.

Guys...

As of 15.30 local time this Tuesday afternoon Guppy had ALL her four propellers removed to be placed on pallets away from the aircraft... :{

And some rather interesting video footage at Youtube taken this Tuesday of Guppy without her four propellers.
Click at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5s_Jf_qZIGM !

Well that's all rather glum isn't it?....:sad:

Beer cans here we come....:(

bummer :(

I was hoping to pay my last respects at the beginning of July on a UK trip

Very Sad more aviation history going into the syber space museum.

As with many airliners that are scrapped, has anyone considered saving the cockpit ?

There are of course Viscount, Vanguard, 707, etc examples, but it would be a shame to see the CL-44 not recognised somewhere, albeit on a smaller scale.

Jamie

Museum Pieces
 

I agree with Jamie-so many aircraft, military AND civil seem to be lost. I guess it was to be expected when the price of metal or spare parts was worth something, but with something like the CL44, surely this cannot be the case? I seem to recall that the Canadians had similar problems with trying to get the last Yukon back to Montreal for preservation-cost I guess. I do hope that someone has at least tried to have bits off the Guppy kept. I noticed that at least some photos should have been taken-enough people around European Aviation this past three days! Notice that the CL44 club has issued notice that a new DVD of the type will be available soon. Any news of the Belfast at SEN Jamie?

When the CL44 Association were responsible for the aircraft, they certainly hoped to save at least the cockpit, I hope this is still achievable.

http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/2a...p5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

Preservation
 

GAZIN-As far as I know (not much I admit) no plans exist
My own 'modus operandi' was to ask the CL44 Association direct and the advice I received was 'Association members should contact either their Chairman, Vice Chairman or UK President by fone,email or fax.
Given the limited time scale-It was suggested they do it asap. I was asked to include the statement that all members try the Chairman first (he is just back from the USA)
I have some telephone numbers if you want to send me a private email

Im not sure of the current state of the Belfast, I gather that it has received a recent "Bath" which was carried out on the otherside of the airfield and has at present been returned to its original location.

The only way to view it at a resonable distance requires a reasonable set of wellies, so I have not ventured to that area because of the weather.

The way things are looking, perhaps this thread should be moved to the History and Nostalgia forum and perhaps the Belfast thead should be moved to the Freight Dogs forum?

I don't wish to take sides in the dispute that appears to have led to this outcome but it's a sad day when a unique and potentially serviceable aircraft looks likely to end up as tomorrow's saucepans. :sad:

Will the Guppy be able to provide any parts to help get Belfast G-BEPS airborne again? They were both derived from the Britannia and both are powered by Tynes, albeit, different versions.

Heard through a friend at European that the Rep at Bournmouth can get authority from Heavylift to give the cockpit to a museum but not CL44 assn ? When he got on the aircaraft Monday the door lock was cut off and not only were the missing logbooks and docs the problem but all ground power relays and engine instruments and some nav units were missing, I think they had enough games at that time ? Obviously some people were trying to hold HeavyLift over the barrel ?:ugh:

I understand the FAA have looked at the Belfast after the wash and the guppy rego has been transfered over to her for the flight to USA ?

Cool they must have the logbooks for that one ?:D

So how were the mechanics/ground engineers of European able to perform the engine tests this Monday? :sad:

CL44 fate
 

To my info it has never been confirmed that the GUPPY will be scrapped.
Can someone confirm it? European crew?
If that signal comes, hopefully the cockpit section will be saved.
My opinion is that any attempt by the CL44 Association to save the flightdeck is doomed to fail.
Unfortunately their Chairman was too much involved the past years and his actions have not pleased Heavylift as stated before. Maybe their actions did the whole case more harm then good.
Hopefully there will be a neutral party taking up the task...
Anyone ?