WIX Archives

Re: Tony C, about your visiti to Elvington...

Posted by Tony C on Fri Feb 14, 2003 08:45:11 AM

In reply top Tony C, about your visiti to Elvington... posted by Cees Broere on Fri Feb 14, 2003 06:17:56 AM

Hi Cees,
One of the reasons why I took the picture of the wings, was that I could not and have not yet, identified them and am hoping that the 'WIXperts' will!

Despite a slight covering of moss, they appear to be in fairly good condition both internally and externally but I did not spend too much time around them, as it was raining and I'm a whimp!

There wasn't anybody working on 'Friday' and she looks very tired (no critisim meant). Going by the general appearance of the airframe, I would say that no external work has recently been carried out. In fact, it looks like she has not been moved since my last visit 3-4 years ago.

While I am no expert, I was surprised by your statement that the tail and stabilisers have been changed and not of a wood and metal construction (although I could have misunderstood your point).

The port stabiliser certainly appears to be of mixed contruction with the front half of the upright being manufactured from what looks like ply and the rudder from aluminium. Again, not being an expert, I do not know if this is correct and was the method used in production.

The skin on the trailing edge of the tailplane (between the wing and aileron) is lifting in two places. I cannot say what the condition of the starboard tailplane is like, as I didn't look to closely.

As for the wings, these are sagging outboard of the outer engines and I not sure that I would want to walk on them but to the untrained eye, I do not think that this would be noticed.

Overall, I was left feeling concerned for the future of "Friday" as she appears to have been placed in the hanger and just left.

I'm sure that I am wrong in this, as the staff that I spoke to, at other parts of the museum seem general upbeat and interested in the Museuem and all it artifacts and hopefully, the appearance is simply due to winter storage.

As for the rest of the museum, the Barnes Wallis collection was closed due to lack of staff but the gardens, engine collection and shop are all receiving attention.

Still a great place to visit and if I had to chose a favourite part, the Gunners Room gets my vote.

Tony

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