Vist to SAHG & the Crowne Plaza site 15th Oct 2016
Oct 15, 2016 22:24:34 GMT 1
ian531, ghostrider, and 2 more like this
Post by viscount on Oct 15, 2016 22:24:34 GMT 1
Visited the Speke Aerodrome Heritage Group for a chat and a 'catch-up' on progress during the past summer. Work has progressed apace by the small team working on Avro 748 'JD, with last winter's storm damage to elevators and wing repaired, the fuselage paintwork stripped and fresh primer, gloss and some detail work started, and the port wing placed and supported in position, with work started on the join. It really is starting to look as though the target of raising back onto her own undercarriage is realistic aim early next summer.
A fund raising campaign is now in progress, looking for donations to finance the materials and crane hire to enable this next stage to happen. There is a web donation available through www.spekeaero.org (site rebuilt Oct '16 and now running again). I would like to think that nwan members can help with donations to enable the Avro 748 to once again stand proud on her own undercarriage, on the apron in front of the former Airport terminal in bright freshly applied Dan Air scheme.
Right, now that your bank account is a few Pounds lighter, you can proceed on to the photos taken earlier today:
A comparison to show what has been achieved in 5 years. This shot , shortly after arrival shows the fuselage in 3 sections only approximately in position. The paint scheme is that of Reed Aviation, and the effects of several years stood outside in the salt air at Blackpool visible.
The port outer wing now held in position to enable a weight bearing plate to be attached, then a strap positioned over and along the joint.
The supported port wing. All looks a little 'heath robinson', however it is securely in place. The pallets in front of the wing are to prevent any strong winds from lifting the wing while work is in progress and the fastening incomplete.
The main undercarriage is still in place in the wheel well, ready to be lowered once the aircraft is lifted
The starboard wing being cleaned and inspected on ground level, shortly to be lifted into place once the port wing attachment is secure. Note that two of three essentials for aircraft preservation are present: the 'gaffer's chair' and a supermarket trolley, missing item is the mug of tea!
Another aircraft that has made great strides towards completion this summer is Mike Davey's Gloster Meteor F.8 WH291. Painting cannot be too far off now, although it may now have to wait for the warmth of next Spring. It is likely to painted to represent a RAuxAF aircraft flown from RAF Hooton in the 1950's, rather than in the natural metal and day-glo schme it wore when it called at Liverpool in 1962, or the 79 Sqdn (229 OCU) colours of her final RAF Unit.
Still in long term storage pending finding a new Perspex cockpit cover is AA.5 G-SEXY
Time and the weather have not treated the remains of Full Scale Model Dragon Rapide well. At one stage only a small sum would have restored her, now it would take a major rebuild. A shame as she was once a well known 'landmark' matching the hotel's architecture well.
Short 360 and HS.748 forward sections.
The Percival Prince G-AMLZ looks so absolutely in the right place on the apron outside the restored former Airport terminal building. Work continues at a slower pace to restore the inside. The cockpit however looks better for some of the instruments acquired and replaced and work on the seats is ongoing. The cabin interior is held up while suitable materials and fabrics are obtained that will resist damp conditions. as the fuselage resists all attempts to make it water-tight!
The Prince has a central position below the control tower. Stored alongside the Dragon Rapide is the fin and rudder of HS.748 G-ORAL.
The aircraft that started it all off, Jetstream 41 G-JMAC.
Across the apron the Britannia 'CF has clearly been worked on during the summer, with nearly all the former paintwork now stripped (there is some remaining on the lower starboard fuselage behind the wing).
A fund raising campaign is now in progress, looking for donations to finance the materials and crane hire to enable this next stage to happen. There is a web donation available through www.spekeaero.org (site rebuilt Oct '16 and now running again). I would like to think that nwan members can help with donations to enable the Avro 748 to once again stand proud on her own undercarriage, on the apron in front of the former Airport terminal in bright freshly applied Dan Air scheme.
Right, now that your bank account is a few Pounds lighter, you can proceed on to the photos taken earlier today:
A comparison to show what has been achieved in 5 years. This shot , shortly after arrival shows the fuselage in 3 sections only approximately in position. The paint scheme is that of Reed Aviation, and the effects of several years stood outside in the salt air at Blackpool visible.
The port outer wing now held in position to enable a weight bearing plate to be attached, then a strap positioned over and along the joint.
The supported port wing. All looks a little 'heath robinson', however it is securely in place. The pallets in front of the wing are to prevent any strong winds from lifting the wing while work is in progress and the fastening incomplete.
The main undercarriage is still in place in the wheel well, ready to be lowered once the aircraft is lifted
The starboard wing being cleaned and inspected on ground level, shortly to be lifted into place once the port wing attachment is secure. Note that two of three essentials for aircraft preservation are present: the 'gaffer's chair' and a supermarket trolley, missing item is the mug of tea!
Another aircraft that has made great strides towards completion this summer is Mike Davey's Gloster Meteor F.8 WH291. Painting cannot be too far off now, although it may now have to wait for the warmth of next Spring. It is likely to painted to represent a RAuxAF aircraft flown from RAF Hooton in the 1950's, rather than in the natural metal and day-glo schme it wore when it called at Liverpool in 1962, or the 79 Sqdn (229 OCU) colours of her final RAF Unit.
Still in long term storage pending finding a new Perspex cockpit cover is AA.5 G-SEXY
Time and the weather have not treated the remains of Full Scale Model Dragon Rapide well. At one stage only a small sum would have restored her, now it would take a major rebuild. A shame as she was once a well known 'landmark' matching the hotel's architecture well.
Short 360 and HS.748 forward sections.
The Percival Prince G-AMLZ looks so absolutely in the right place on the apron outside the restored former Airport terminal building. Work continues at a slower pace to restore the inside. The cockpit however looks better for some of the instruments acquired and replaced and work on the seats is ongoing. The cabin interior is held up while suitable materials and fabrics are obtained that will resist damp conditions. as the fuselage resists all attempts to make it water-tight!
The Prince has a central position below the control tower. Stored alongside the Dragon Rapide is the fin and rudder of HS.748 G-ORAL.
The aircraft that started it all off, Jetstream 41 G-JMAC.
Across the apron the Britannia 'CF has clearly been worked on during the summer, with nearly all the former paintwork now stripped (there is some remaining on the lower starboard fuselage behind the wing).