Problem is it can't really be a NATO tasking :E:E:E:E

20ft container trans Atlantic about £5000. Barely even significant.

I'm just an old, ex RAF Airframe fitter, who had the honour to refurbish PA474 in the early 80s at Abingdon as gang boss on the team. There's no way that there should be any costs accrued in this venture? The historic tour by Vera has paid for itself in encouraging visitors wherever the two have appeared together. There must be media pay back for flights, stories etc. I offer one sense of indignity to all of this talk of cost. In the 80s/early 90s I was an Aircraft Ground Engineer on our C130K fleet. On many trips to the USA and Canada, any breakdown was given the best support we could dream of. On many occasions I was able to keep the aircraft going rather than wait for "flown in" spares. I'm sure a "Canada trainer" could be arranged for a suitably empty C130J, which might return with a reciprocal load. If not, then the treasury really has cocked up our military aviation.

Smudge:ok:

And quite a few of them are sitting in original crates in Kermit Weeks engine store.

You mean like these, there just his Alison's

http://www.khs.at/fantasy/112.htm

http://www.khs.at/fantasy/fantasy4.htm

The RAF fly Calgary trips with the Voyager. Plenty of payload there for the odd Merlin or two. A quick tech stop enroute shouldn't be a big deal.

Don't think a Merlin on a pallet will go into the lower hold of a Voyager Cessna; no freightdoor upstairs either so probably a J or C-17 load.

What keeps coming back to me is that surely with a little bit of corporate and government goodwill, the costs to the Canadians can be kept as low as possible.

The idea of them shelling out $180k seems a bit unfair. I'm not saying they should get it for free but I would imagine companies up and down the line can donate the freight, parts, some time etc. After all, it's a golden PR opportunity or is that wrong because it involves a machine of war, not orphans or kittens ?

Looks like four good engines right now. VERA is airborne out of KEF, eight hour leg to Goose Bay. Safe trip chaps.

motleyCallsign,

You obviously havn't been anywhere near the hold of an A330-200 (voyager) before then!

One Pallet could hold probably 10 Merlin Engines, and the A/C can carry at least 6 pallets plus a couple of Baggage Containers in the lower holds.

For size equivalence, you can fit a large car on one pallet! :O

She has dropped into Greenland for fuel due to high headwinds, quoted off a thread on Flypast

Oh good, I'll be able to pop home for some tea and crumpets before watching her come in.

:) I tell you what they have my respect, they are going to an airshow on Saturday on the way home..

Quote off the same thread


.

Knarfw,

You can get updates here

https://mobile.twitter.com/CWHM

Is she home yet?

She is due home Sunday their time, she is doing a display Saturday their time at Ottawa, she is back in Canada (Goose Bay), the long worrying sea legs behind her.

She has now left Goose Bay on her way to Ottawa. We were a bit worried last night as it was raining heavily and was dark when she eventually arrived.


Not the greatest photo but it really was quite miserable.https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...fb&oe=54CBCE39

Is there really an "airshow" in CYND, no NOTAMS and not a sign of anything as we flew by, Vintage Wings doesnt seem to be doing much flying these days, will check to see if its meant to be on Sunday, if at all, mind you its perfect weather for an airshow today.

The weather cleared at Goose Bay overnight. Here's VeRA departing for Ottawa flying over the old WW2 hangar on the old RCAF side. The tower is not the original btw. Thanks to my good friend Norma for letting me share her pic.https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...7d771ba664895c

She is home!

https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=CWHM

https://twitter.com/intent/user?screen_name=CWHM

And what a welcome home crowd!

Thank you all for an excellent visit.