F3 & GR3 for auction
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WH904
I seem to recall discussing the Vulcan B.1 that was at Cosford at Key with the then staff photographer, who had seen the state of it when it was put up for disposal. And the conclusion was 25 odd years out in the elements were not very kind to it at all
Remember my earlier post, unless we are the size of a certain storage facility in Arizona, and have the same climate we can't save everything. I suspect within the next 50 years, that an awfully large number of airframes outside will go the same way as the B.1
And the RAFM at Hendon has F.3 ZE887.
V1
I seem to recall discussing the Vulcan B.1 that was at Cosford at Key with the then staff photographer, who had seen the state of it when it was put up for disposal. And the conclusion was 25 odd years out in the elements were not very kind to it at all
Remember my earlier post, unless we are the size of a certain storage facility in Arizona, and have the same climate we can't save everything. I suspect within the next 50 years, that an awfully large number of airframes outside will go the same way as the B.1
And the RAFM at Hendon has F.3 ZE887.
V1
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I remember going to get some spares off the VC10's at Abingdon.
They wrapped them up in bags and despite some Engineering Officer actually having some sense on the subject and stated they needed dehumidifiers in them, he was over ridden by some muppet higher up the food chain.
The result an aircraft with it's own built in microclimate festering away for years, and then the bags fell apart, eventually you could swim around the main spars and that was how they looked after the reserve stock. So you can imagine what chance a gate guardian has.
They wrapped them up in bags and despite some Engineering Officer actually having some sense on the subject and stated they needed dehumidifiers in them, he was over ridden by some muppet higher up the food chain.
The result an aircraft with it's own built in microclimate festering away for years, and then the bags fell apart, eventually you could swim around the main spars and that was how they looked after the reserve stock. So you can imagine what chance a gate guardian has.
I may be misunderstanding you, Evalu8tor, but the F3 got a "tick" in FRY too - I know, I was there. It was also in the Gulf.
I fail to see the difference between, for example, the Jag and the F3 in terms of operations other than Cold War. When the Jag dropped it's bomb on a tank in FRY, I was providing top cover for him. Why is one type Cold War not entitled to be in the RAFM Hendon whilst the other isn't?
I fail to see the difference between, for example, the Jag and the F3 in terms of operations other than Cold War. When the Jag dropped it's bomb on a tank in FRY, I was providing top cover for him. Why is one type Cold War not entitled to be in the RAFM Hendon whilst the other isn't?
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The Vulcan B1 is another thorny subject of course. I've never accepted RAFM's assertion that the aircraft was "beyond economical repair" and was therefore only suitable for disposal. What kind of attitude is that for a museum? Unless I'm missing some fundamental point, I thought the purpose of a museum was to either preserve or restore exhibits, not to leave them to rot until they're deemed to be somehow beyond restoration.
Besides, it's ironic that a Vulcan B1 was "beyond economical repair" and yet a lump of rotten Dornier isn't?
The Beverley at Hendon was just as ludicrous. One of only two surviving examples, plenty of room to keep it in the car park, but RAFM couldn't be bothered to spend money on preserving it. They were happier to dump it and spend money on a plastic Spitfire and Hurricane. I think (and so do many other people) that it spoke volumes for their attitude towards preservation, as opposed to entertainment.
Besides, it's ironic that a Vulcan B1 was "beyond economical repair" and yet a lump of rotten Dornier isn't?
The Beverley at Hendon was just as ludicrous. One of only two surviving examples, plenty of room to keep it in the car park, but RAFM couldn't be bothered to spend money on preserving it. They were happier to dump it and spend money on a plastic Spitfire and Hurricane. I think (and so do many other people) that it spoke volumes for their attitude towards preservation, as opposed to entertainment.
Courtney,
I'm not anti F3 - yes it was over FRY and Iraq, I'm not disputing that. My point is that Hendon could, I repeat could, be seen to be very Biased against AT and maritime - huge numbers of post war RAF air and ground crew cannot go to "their" museum in the capital and point at one of their aircraft, yet the AD fraternity have a Lightning, F4 and F3 plus others (hunter, Typhoon...) all represented. A bit of balance, maybe, is rqd. The C130 flew in many more theatres than the F3, as did the Nimrod, and represent whole capabilities not covered in the museum. Not as glamorous as trading on 1940 with a top button undone, nor breaching a dam, but utterly essential air power roles nonetheless.
I'm not anti F3 - yes it was over FRY and Iraq, I'm not disputing that. My point is that Hendon could, I repeat could, be seen to be very Biased against AT and maritime - huge numbers of post war RAF air and ground crew cannot go to "their" museum in the capital and point at one of their aircraft, yet the AD fraternity have a Lightning, F4 and F3 plus others (hunter, Typhoon...) all represented. A bit of balance, maybe, is rqd. The C130 flew in many more theatres than the F3, as did the Nimrod, and represent whole capabilities not covered in the museum. Not as glamorous as trading on 1940 with a top button undone, nor breaching a dam, but utterly essential air power roles nonetheless.
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I think there were photos of the Vulcan released either with or after it was released for disposal, and the cockpit was
A - Cockpit was completely stripped after it was retired from the SoTT
and
B - was badly corroded and the cockpit had taken on the role of a rain water collection water butt... IIRC
If you look at a certain airframe exposed to the elements in a Museum in the East of England, you will find certain water capture devices in the cockpit....
As for the portaloo in has its own growths
V1
A - Cockpit was completely stripped after it was retired from the SoTT
and
B - was badly corroded and the cockpit had taken on the role of a rain water collection water butt... IIRC
If you look at a certain airframe exposed to the elements in a Museum in the East of England, you will find certain water capture devices in the cockpit....
As for the portaloo in has its own growths
V1
