WIX Archives

Re: Walrus / Seagull V..........

Posted by JDK on Tue Jan 28, 2003 05:12:46 PM

In reply top An idea I mentioned before........... posted by simon king on Tue Jan 28, 2003 03:54:46 PM

Simon,
It's an interesting idea, and though attractive on the surface, had a lot of perhaps minor points against it. I'm working on a book on the Walrus at the moment, and I've been lucky enough to see all four survivors in the last year. The RAAF Museum's Walrus HD874 has just been restored and has a significant civil Australian connection - a very minor point, but something military museums are more aware of these days - it's not all bombs for the boys, but research and peacekeeping. I can't see that the RAAF Museum could justify two of essentially the same type in their collection - something they don't have would be more likely (a Hudson for instance...)

The RAF Museum needs more restoration projects like a hole in the head. The waiting list is scarey enough and the outsourcing they've done so far does cost.

You are right pre-War RAAF machines are rare, but a Seagull V wouldn't be high on that list.

Lastly, and this is my hope rather than an assesment, Dick Melton wants someone to help him get G-RNLI into the air; I'm sure we all agree that a flying Walrus would be great, and 'RNLI can be restored to fly; (Of the 4 survivors the only one with a remote chance at the moment) Dick's got all the airframe parts, an engine, and the expertise - he needs money (lots, of course!) and another team in his neck of the woods to help do the work.

I'm not trying to pour cold water on the suggestion Simon, but I'd much rather see a flying Shagbat than yet another Mustang - and not 'lose' 'RNLI into a static museum.
Cheers
JamesK
: Why don't the RAFM swap their Australian Seagull V for the
: Boston/Havoc remains (IIRC enough for at least one airfra
: me)and buy Dick Melton's Walrus which has a known RAF Air
: Sea Rescue history and is arguably more relevant to the RA
: F Museum than the Seagull.
:
: Presumably pre-war RAAF machines are as rare as hens teeth
: so any proposal for a swap might be well received.
:
: sk

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