Vandals destroy more aircraft
Not so N, but still FG
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Private discussions are fine if people display reasonable manners. It seems legitimate to discuss here what sort of people might have done this.
Last edited by FNG; 16th Apr 2003 at 19:28.
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How upsetting to see - particularly as a fellow Redhill flyer. I hope the claims are smooth, if nothing else. You have my sympathies.
It looks, from the pics, as if the aircraft were down on the Cloudbase 'corner'? Maybe a 'security improvement' is required down that end, too...?
Hersh
It looks, from the pics, as if the aircraft were down on the Cloudbase 'corner'? Maybe a 'security improvement' is required down that end, too...?
Hersh
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Fly StimulatorWords (and insurance) are obviously inadequate at the moment. All I can offer is heartfelt sympathy and hope that you are able to get the CT (or its replacement) airborne with minimal delays.
It's pictures like these that make me feel that Sharia law is not all bad!!
Sorry that you have been visited at your airfield by the great unwashed. Maybe if you find them, you should point them at your local ATC Sqn so that they can not only be exposed to a bit of discipline, but also brought into contact with those who have a love for aviation and maybe have some respect for flying machines instilled in them. I certainly know that many of the young hooligans we get in at 13 yrs old at our Sqn leave with a slightly increased awareness and respect for things avian.
It's pictures like these that make me feel that Sharia law is not all bad!!
Sorry that you have been visited at your airfield by the great unwashed. Maybe if you find them, you should point them at your local ATC Sqn so that they can not only be exposed to a bit of discipline, but also brought into contact with those who have a love for aviation and maybe have some respect for flying machines instilled in them. I certainly know that many of the young hooligans we get in at 13 yrs old at our Sqn leave with a slightly increased awareness and respect for things avian.
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niknak - I don't want to fuel this debate at all, but I don't think it was "small minded arrogance" at all.
In Fly Stimulator's first post in the thread, he says:
which I think implies the police think it is the "yoofs".
tKF
In Fly Stimulator's first post in the thread, he says:
According to the police who I spoke to, this is the sort thing that happens when the nation's youth are on holiday as they are at the moment.
tKF
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Dear Oh Dear. Behaviour like this is intolerable - whether 13 or 31.
Should they bring back capital punishment - I would have no qualms about pulling the lever or pressing the button. Scum!
Fly Stimulator - I have a two seat vintage taildragger that you are very welcome to come and fly until you are sorted, aeroplane wise.
On a +ve note, I have a close friend who lost a Pitts in the Felthorpe conflagration. We did some joint research and he is now the very proud owner of a far nicer Pitts. Hopefully you will be as fortunate.
Stik
Should they bring back capital punishment - I would have no qualms about pulling the lever or pressing the button. Scum!
Fly Stimulator - I have a two seat vintage taildragger that you are very welcome to come and fly until you are sorted, aeroplane wise.
On a +ve note, I have a close friend who lost a Pitts in the Felthorpe conflagration. We did some joint research and he is now the very proud owner of a far nicer Pitts. Hopefully you will be as fortunate.
Stik
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Those of you with damaged aircraft should bear in mind that if your aircraft is uninsured, if the police manage to identify the driver (this is crucial) and subject to a possible argument about the extent to which the airfield is a public place then you may be able to claim for the damage against the Motor Insurers' Bureau or the insurers (if any) of the vehicle that was stolen/used.
It would therefore be worthwhile having the damage surveyed at an early stage, keeping the pressure up to identify the culprits and, if the driver is identified, consulting a solicitor with experience of road traffic claims who does not give you a blank look if you mention the term MIB.
Further suggestions available if needed.
It would therefore be worthwhile having the damage surveyed at an early stage, keeping the pressure up to identify the culprits and, if the driver is identified, consulting a solicitor with experience of road traffic claims who does not give you a blank look if you mention the term MIB.
Further suggestions available if needed.
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It hurts that there is so little one can do.
When faced with an injustice you want to publicise it, but that would do nothing to prevent future incidents and might encourage copyists.
Catching and punishing the perpetrators would do nothing to deter others and there is no way that they would have the means to redress the wrong they have done.
Good luck with the claims and I hope you are all back in the air soon.
Mike
When faced with an injustice you want to publicise it, but that would do nothing to prevent future incidents and might encourage copyists.
Catching and punishing the perpetrators would do nothing to deter others and there is no way that they would have the means to redress the wrong they have done.
Good luck with the claims and I hope you are all back in the air soon.
Mike
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This is a dreadful story, my sympathies to all those whose aircraft were damaged by this mindless or malicious act.
I just hope this story doesn't hit the news in anyway, since the real morons are the copycats who pick up that this is another form of destructive entertainment. No amount of comment on the idiots who did this will make any difference (apart from venting anger and frustration), and unfortunately I can see on the horizon the potential for increased security measures (and therefore cost) for airfields and aircraft owners.
I just hope this story doesn't hit the news in anyway, since the real morons are the copycats who pick up that this is another form of destructive entertainment. No amount of comment on the idiots who did this will make any difference (apart from venting anger and frustration), and unfortunately I can see on the horizon the potential for increased security measures (and therefore cost) for airfields and aircraft owners.
Why do it if it's not fun?
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Can't think of anything to add, except to say that you're welcome to a flight in my Europa any time I happen to be flying and don't have another pax lined up - hopefully if several of us make similar offers your entire flying season won't be totally wasted.
Jayemm, I'm afraid it's too late - I read about this, and saw similar pictures, in The Sun before I'd even logged on to PPRuNe this morning.
FFF
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Jayemm, I'm afraid it's too late - I read about this, and saw similar pictures, in The Sun before I'd even logged on to PPRuNe this morning.
FFF
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Utter scum... many sympathies Fly Stimulator.
Given my own experience of having my car smashed up Xmas before last, I don't hold much hope of the Police being any help at all I'm afraid. I could ID the person who did it - I saw them do it - they were a known scumbag, yet they refused to arrest them as it was 'my word against his'. More to the point the back seat of their panda car was full of folders and clothing so it'd have meant too much work clearing it out to get the scumbag in the car.
The baseball hat/hood brigade seem to be intent on mindless destruction no matter where you are the country these days.
Given my own experience of having my car smashed up Xmas before last, I don't hold much hope of the Police being any help at all I'm afraid. I could ID the person who did it - I saw them do it - they were a known scumbag, yet they refused to arrest them as it was 'my word against his'. More to the point the back seat of their panda car was full of folders and clothing so it'd have meant too much work clearing it out to get the scumbag in the car.
The baseball hat/hood brigade seem to be intent on mindless destruction no matter where you are the country these days.
Title? What title?
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Words fail !! and so does the law because if they were caught in the act and given a good kicking, it would be the kicker not the car driver who gets the worse sentence.
(I think I may be turning into a Mail reader, and words fail at that prospect too!!)
(I think I may be turning into a Mail reader, and words fail at that prospect too!!)
Carbonfibre-based lifeform
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Thanks again everybody, both for the messages here and for the PMs and offers of flights while I wait to see how long it will be before my aircraft is either repaired or written off.
Although I have no reason to doubt the policeman's educated guess as to those responsible, I wouldn't want to condemn the whole of today's youth as a result. Redressing the balance a little there's a young local lad who helps out at Redhill to earn money for flying lessons and who is the exact opposite of the kind of pond life responsible for yesterday's vandalism.
There's a story from the local paper here about his recent first solo, achieved just after his 16th birthday.
Although I have no reason to doubt the policeman's educated guess as to those responsible, I wouldn't want to condemn the whole of today's youth as a result. Redressing the balance a little there's a young local lad who helps out at Redhill to earn money for flying lessons and who is the exact opposite of the kind of pond life responsible for yesterday's vandalism.
There's a story from the local paper here about his recent first solo, achieved just after his 16th birthday.
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What a shower of B*****DS!!!! So sorry FS, if someone did that to my plane (if I had one) I'd want to hunt them down and beat them with their own shoes. Really sad thing is they're probably under 18 so they'll get some pathetic community service sentence or something and walk away from court laughing as they go off to mug someone or nick something because they know the law is ridiculously weighted in their favour. If only you could give the pr**ks a damn good beating then they might stop.
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I am very sorry about your loss. I cannot comprehend how someone could enjoy destroying something as beautiful as an aircraft. I hope the scum are caught and are made to replace or rebuild every one of the damaged aircraft.
A very sad day.
A very sad day.
Guest
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Just seen this thread so a bit late in adding my sympathies, having owned a number of beloved aircraft I was shocked to see such wanton vandalism.
I was also disturbed to learn that an article had appeared in the "popular" press. Copy cat crimes appear to be a fact of modern life so are other airfields potential targets?
My home base has dozens of a/c parked out and is wide open to vehicular access. In fact tyre tracks are sometimes found on the morning inspection. We have a security guard but I wouldnt want to think of him attempting any heroics. Lives are still more important than machines. (Though in some cases its a close run thing)
Sir George Cayley
The air is a navigable ocean that laps at everyones door
I was also disturbed to learn that an article had appeared in the "popular" press. Copy cat crimes appear to be a fact of modern life so are other airfields potential targets?
My home base has dozens of a/c parked out and is wide open to vehicular access. In fact tyre tracks are sometimes found on the morning inspection. We have a security guard but I wouldnt want to think of him attempting any heroics. Lives are still more important than machines. (Though in some cases its a close run thing)
Sir George Cayley
The air is a navigable ocean that laps at everyones door
Young local lad earns first solo
Guest
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Hi FS - Really sorry to see those pictures - I havn't been to redhill
,so i; speaking blind as it were -is there no way that security
cameras ,which are now very cheap and easy to install , would stop this in the future , we successfully stopped some fly tipping
just by erecting official signs saying 'hidden security cameras' .
I feel very concerned that deserted aerodromes are going to
receive more and more of these attacks , these youths ,and I'll bet a pound to a penny it was youths , get really fired up on booze and glue !! its frightening what a few 'kids' can do .
Our local junior 'mafia' threw half a brick at my wife's car whilst
she was returning from friends recently , the police woman who
eventually came said there was nothing she could do ,when I said
I felt like giving them a good thrashing she said to make sure
they were hit on the body so that marks would not be visible !!
Later that night 'allegedly ' a man in dark clothing jumped out on these young people , in fact they were in a back lane drinking , and beat the crap out of four of them with a walking stick 'allegedly' . whoever that was I really don't know
However - on another matter attacks could come from other directions - first hunting ,( I think that a lot of the anti protesters
don't care too much for the fox - they just assume that the guy on the horse in a red coat is a 'toff' despite the fact that these days he could be a clerk, lorry driver , postman or whatever )
I think these vandals assimilate flying with being awfully rich
and only for toffs - so if they can't have they want to wreck it for us !! ...
FS - once again really really sorry mate - put it behind you
as soon as you can and if you need to borrow any dark clothing
Wolram
,so i; speaking blind as it were -is there no way that security
cameras ,which are now very cheap and easy to install , would stop this in the future , we successfully stopped some fly tipping
just by erecting official signs saying 'hidden security cameras' .
I feel very concerned that deserted aerodromes are going to
receive more and more of these attacks , these youths ,and I'll bet a pound to a penny it was youths , get really fired up on booze and glue !! its frightening what a few 'kids' can do .
Our local junior 'mafia' threw half a brick at my wife's car whilst
she was returning from friends recently , the police woman who
eventually came said there was nothing she could do ,when I said
I felt like giving them a good thrashing she said to make sure
they were hit on the body so that marks would not be visible !!
Later that night 'allegedly ' a man in dark clothing jumped out on these young people , in fact they were in a back lane drinking , and beat the crap out of four of them with a walking stick 'allegedly' . whoever that was I really don't know
However - on another matter attacks could come from other directions - first hunting ,( I think that a lot of the anti protesters
don't care too much for the fox - they just assume that the guy on the horse in a red coat is a 'toff' despite the fact that these days he could be a clerk, lorry driver , postman or whatever )
I think these vandals assimilate flying with being awfully rich
and only for toffs - so if they can't have they want to wreck it for us !! ...
FS - once again really really sorry mate - put it behind you
as soon as you can and if you need to borrow any dark clothing
Wolram
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Crime & punishment, American style...
According to a friend of mine, who has worked for the FBI for sometime, if this were to happen in the USA, the culprits, when apprehended, would face...
20 years in the federal slammer plus a $250,000 fine,
at a minimum.
Locally, a thief who was caught stealing radios out of parked aircraft, has been held in the local county jail for over a year (no bail allowed) awaiting trial. He faces 10 years and a $150,000 fine.
The TSA means business, and all local public general aviation airports will ultimately be required to provide increased security (fencing, card-operated gates, etc.) and federal funds are available for the purpose.
My recommendation would be to shoot the perps on sight.
20 years in the federal slammer plus a $250,000 fine,
at a minimum.
Locally, a thief who was caught stealing radios out of parked aircraft, has been held in the local county jail for over a year (no bail allowed) awaiting trial. He faces 10 years and a $150,000 fine.
The TSA means business, and all local public general aviation airports will ultimately be required to provide increased security (fencing, card-operated gates, etc.) and federal funds are available for the purpose.
My recommendation would be to shoot the perps on sight.
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American crime and punishment.......
Following on from 411A's post..........
A good friend of mine got back from America a few weeks ago, and said that while they were there, they saw two kids pissing against a wall late one evening.
Two police officers saw this, and straight away the kids went with the police to the station, where they'd have been given a $xx fine, which had to be paid before they left the station.
My friend spoke to an American bystander when they saw this happen, and this person said that the kids simply wouldn't not respond to the police officers, simply, cos they carry guns.
Now I know from having seen things like this happen in this country, that if it happened in a UK city at night, the kids would laugh, and run from the police, and nothing more would happen.
tKF
A good friend of mine got back from America a few weeks ago, and said that while they were there, they saw two kids pissing against a wall late one evening.
Two police officers saw this, and straight away the kids went with the police to the station, where they'd have been given a $xx fine, which had to be paid before they left the station.
My friend spoke to an American bystander when they saw this happen, and this person said that the kids simply wouldn't not respond to the police officers, simply, cos they carry guns.
Now I know from having seen things like this happen in this country, that if it happened in a UK city at night, the kids would laugh, and run from the police, and nothing more would happen.
tKF
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Cant find the words to describe how this makes me feel.
If anyone should find the names and addresses of the perps. please forward them, as I have a number of friends that would like to pay them a visit with a view to pointing out the error of their ways.
If anyone should find the names and addresses of the perps. please forward them, as I have a number of friends that would like to pay them a visit with a view to pointing out the error of their ways.