SPEKE AIRPORT HERITAGE GROUP, CROWNE PLAZA APRON.

[viscount]

SPEKE AIRPORT HERITAGE GROUP, CROWNE PLAZA APRON.
Saturday, 2nd September 2023.

							
G-AMLZ	P. Prince 6E						
G-ANCF	B.175 Britannia 308F		Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust aircraft				
G-BEJD	HS.748-1			Dan Air			
G-JMAC	BAe. Jetstream 41						
G-SEXY	AA-1 Yankee			dismantled and under protective sheeting			
WH291	G.Meteor F.8			Mike Davey aircraft, fully re-assembled

Little visual change to my previous visit in 2019 prior to Covid lock-downs.
The good news is that the HS.748 is being prepared and readied for 'the big lift', back onto her own undercarriage. Work continues on the interior of the Prince.



The Avro 748 G-BEJD. The paint coating on the fuselage and fin which was fresh and bright on my previous visit has suffered in the elements since. This issue is now clearly being dealt with.



G-JMAC Jetstream 41





G-AMLZ Percival Prince still stands proud in the lee of the Control Tower.





Mike Davey's Gloster Meteor F.8 WH291 is now, once again assembled. Looks as though ready for new colours to be applied.





G-ANCF Bristol Britannia 308F, formerly with British Eagle, has been well stripped back by the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust, but visually progress is slow.

[eye2eye5]

I’m afraid that visual progress on Charlie Fox is likely to remain slow, Viscount. Over the last few years, we have concentrated on arresting metal degradation, particularly under the wings and in the cabin. Aircraft do not fare well in the salty air coming from the Mersey. Our focus at present is very much on preservation rather than restoration. As with many charities, our income streams have been hit hard by COVID, whilst volunteer numbers have also fallen. Under the circumstances, we are pleased to note that she looks better than she has done for some time.

[robaero]

Hi folks, has anyone from the SAHG got any updates on the HS748 G-BEJD being lifted up and back on it's undercarage please ?

[vanguard]

'JD was lifted this afternoon 13th Dec.,I believe it's on stands at this moment supporting the aircraft with the u/c down,I don't know if everything is secure as I only saw the operation on video.

[rolyatr]

As Vanguard said, the lift took place on Wednesday. The landing gear had been in the UP position ever since JD arrived at Speke but the opportunity arose to be able to drop the gear at last. The new trestles will be permanent so that the wheels are just off the ground and therefore not taking any weight. Whilst the crane was on site we also took the opportunity to fit the props which couldn't be fitted before due to insufficient ground clearance. Work will continue on the props, fitting spinners etc and then the repaint will continue next year.