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Re: It's always the same

Posted by Tony C on Wed Nov 06, 2002 10:14:03 AM

In reply top It's always the same posted by Cees Broere on Wed Nov 06, 2002 02:54:58 AM

Quiet right too....

Avro rock while HP suck, although I think the Valiant was manufactured by Vickers.

Seriously, when I visit Hendon I always have a feeling of sadness (possibly annoyance as well) standing in front of W1048 and really do fail to understand why RAFM do not restored her. Surely restoration would not be too much of an undertaking(?), considering that the majority of the frame appears to be available and relatively intact. I can't see the Smithsonian having an airframe of such a rare beast as W1048 and leaving it semi-derelect.

As for the Victor, I feel this problem goes further than Hendon, as I feel that XH648 at Duxford will simply rot away and will have to be scrapped (images of Hendon and a Beverley keep coming into my mind). The same could be said for the Shackleton (which to my mind is in a worse condition than the Victor), the Hastings, Britannia and all other external exhibits.

The Britannia was only recently restored and IIRC, wasn't the Hastings refurbished a few years ago.
When I first visited Duxford, the Hastings was inside Hanger one and since moving outside, the weather has taken a heavy toll. It seems to be a waste of time and money, to refurnish an airframe then leave it outside to the elements. Hopefully, with the new Super Hanger, all will be moved under cover.

At least there are two "live" Victors (Bruntngthorpe and Elvington), which hopefully will continue to be safe for many years to come and hopefully will joined by an airworthy XH558 in the near future.

Tony

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