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By: - 12th July 2015 at 16:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The last news I heard was that the restoration had been abandoned and they had decided to reassemble the aircraft for static display and push it outside. :(
By: - 12th July 2015 at 17:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
That's sad to hear - I thought it was just waiting for an engine.
By: - 12th July 2015 at 18:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Who knows? These days I know better than to believe a single word that comes out of Coventry.
By: - 12th July 2015 at 18:31 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It's a real pity - would be great to see it flying. Photograph taken just last week -
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By: - 12th July 2015 at 19:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Such an important record breaker should have gone to Cosford. Whats happening with the Varsity?
By: - 12th July 2015 at 20:49 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The last news I heard was that the restoration had been abandoned and they had decided to reassemble the aircraft for static display and push it outside.
I sincerely hope not but it looked pretty much as it does on the photo above when I saw it yesterday. Surely they wouldn't just abandon the project without even telling anyone? Or would they? The whole CAF site was astonishingly quiet yesterday - I only saw one other person walking about. The Canberra is parked out on the grass and the Twin Pin is partially assembled and parked in front of the office block - which doesn't seem very encouraging.
Whats happening with the Varsity?
It's staying at St.Mawgan it seems - parked outside the HAS area at the mercy of the elements.
The more time goes by, the once-exciting future for CAF seems to get more and more depressing. I hope happier events unfold eventually.
By: - 12th July 2015 at 22:42 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
'Such an important record breaker should have gone to Cosford. Whats happening with the Varsity?'
Some parts of it are the record breaker - a lot of it isn't !
By: - 13th July 2015 at 09:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The last that we heard down here prior to closure was that they had run out of money for this particular project. Also that one of the engines sourced abroad had been damaged on delivery....at the docks I think it was. That said, the intent to return to flight still seemed to be a serious one.
I think Coventry CAF is only open on a few days of the week now, preferring instead to concentrate on specific events and I am led to believe that the entrance fee is now ....free ....outside of these events.
By: - 13th July 2015 at 09:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I hope they don't abandon the Canberra or if they do, then at least try and transfer it to someone who might be able to make some progress. I just got the feeling that the whole enterprise was really winding down. As you say, I think CAF are being pretty laid-back about visitors but to be fair I didn't check-in with them, I just went to see the Shackleton guys, but the place was incredibly quiet, just one guy walking around. The Canberra out on the grass, hangars devoid of any people, and the Twin Pin looking very sorry for itself - and I really don't know why it is sat outside partially assembled if it is supposedly being restored to flying condition. Maybe it's just my perception but I can't help thinking back a while when CAF were making lots of announcements about future plans and how Coventry would develop and St.Mawgan would be a big attraction, etc. Now the situation seems to have turned full circle. The St.Mawgan venture has ended very badly, the Canberra T4 is evidently never going to fly again, the Varsity, VC10 and 111 aren't ever going to move at all, the Twin Pin looks like it's not going anywhere, and there's certainly no talk of any other new restoration projects. The most frustrating thing is that CAF now seem to be unwilling to even say much about the situation or the future. I take no pleasure from it all, it's a very sad business.
By: - 13th July 2015 at 12:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
'Maybe it's just my perception but I can't help thinking back a while when CAF were making lots of announcements about future plans and how Coventry would develop and St.Mawgan would be a big attraction, etc'
I thought you were destinctly under the impression that St Mawgan was mainly aimed at maintainance !
By: - 13th July 2015 at 12:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
With the news that Midair Squadron have abandoned attempts to get their aircraft flying for 2015, I wonder when (or if) we'll ever see a Canberra in the air again. :(
By: - 13th July 2015 at 12:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
What happened to the Midair one Mike? Seemed to be all roses last year.
On a wider theme, the rapid contraction in the number of classic British postwar designs being operated is becoming ever more obvious. It is however, quite understandable. I would hope that Classic will, perhaps scale down a bit, and concentrate on keeping just a few types alive, rather than covering such a broad theme.
By: - 13th July 2015 at 13:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The official press release from Midair. Posted without further comment.
http://www.midair-squadron.com/mint-project/uploads/582026580.pdf
By: - 13th July 2015 at 13:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
With the news that Midair Squadron have abandoned attempts to get their aircraft flying for 2015, I wonder when (or if) we'll ever see a Canberra in the air again. :(
Are Avon engines supported by RR now?
By: - 13th July 2015 at 14:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I thought you were destinctly under the impression that St Mawgan was mainly aimed at maintainance !
I've had to say this before to you David - try reading precisely what I've said. It would help.
By: - 13th July 2015 at 14:42 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
At least Midair have stated their position and they're still planning to fly again. CAF seem to have lapsed into complete silence :(
By: - 13th July 2015 at 14:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I know nothing of the intention with WK163 but without wishing to thread drift or hijack and certainly not with a view to debate the pros/cons of the situation, I can at least report that WJ874 is being extremely well cared for by the CAHG guys at St Mawgan/Newquay and she has been receiving attention from an ex 39 (1 PRU) Sqn rigger who has history with the aircraft.
I hope that at least eases the fears around one Canberra which has suffered a troubled retirement until now. Let's hope WK163 follows suit whether airworthy or static. Canberras are for life not just for Christmas..
By: - 13th July 2015 at 19:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
One of The 163 team was at sywell taking pictures for the restoration .
By: - 13th July 2015 at 19:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
WH904 -I have read precisely what you said:
This was March :
'Secondly, we should bear in mind that the St.Mawgan relocation was not about setting-up a public attraction as such. It was to set-up a maintenance/preservation base, the public's access being a secondary issue.'
This is today :
'Maybe it's just my perception but I can't help thinking back a while when CAF were making lots of announcements about future plans and how Coventry would develop and St.Mawgan would be a big attraction, etc.'
Maybe I am misreading this but your attitude towards Classic / Airbase can be a little hard to fathom at times !
By: - 13th July 2015 at 20:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
David, you're wasting your time, move on ;)
Posts: 463
By: WH904 - 12th July 2015 at 16:27
I came across WK163 yesterday - sad to see her sitting out on the grass. Is there any news on getting the aircraft back into the air?