XH558...

[FourWheelDrift]

saaby93 said:

tried to see it on google maps - perhaps it's not recent enough. Does anyone have a photo of it currently at Finningley?

Bing maps (no date though)

[Lotobear]

There's one been sitting on the tarmac at Carlisle Airport (or that should now be Carlisle Lake District Airport, if they ever start running flights) for years - I drive past it regularly and to be fair it's in decent cosmetic condition.

[saaby93]

Lotobear said:

There's one been sitting on the tarmac at Carlisle Airport (or that should now be Carlisle Lake District Airport, if they ever start running flights) for years - I drive past it regularly and to be fair it's in decent cosmetic condition.

The three just mentioned are allegedly the only ones in taxiable condition

It's quite a distinctive shape
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Carlisle+Lake+Di...

[aeropilot]

Lotobear said:

There's one been sitting on the tarmac at Carlisle Airport (or that should now be Carlisle Lake District Airport, if they ever start running flights) for years - I drive past it regularly and to be fair it's in decent cosmetic condition.

They did a exterior refurb/re-paint of it about 10 years ago.

[Lotobear]

Yeah, I watched them do it.

I understand it was robbed for bits to help get XH558 flying. XH558 used to regualrly fly over my garden during the summer airshow on it's way to Windermere from Sunderland and other shows. She'd be flying so slow it was as if she was going to fall out of the sky - what a treat.

I saw her on her last year do a final display at the Croft Classic - brought a tear to the eye, grown men were crying!

[RoverP6B]

Re XL426, amid much fanfare she was brought indoors, VRT spent a fair bit doing up a hangar - but then another hangar at Southend caught fire, and VRT's tenancy was ended. Was VRT ever compensated for that, and is there any hope of getting 426 back undercover?

[FourWheelDrift]

V related, Cosford large scale model RC show will have all 3 V bombers flying together in July - https://twitter.com/RAFMUSEUM/status/1141395267658...

[yellowjack]

saaby93 said:

Number 3 in taxiable state
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wellesbourne+Mou...

Last I heard XM655 was under threat because the airfield that is home to it is under threat of closure and redevelopment for housing. Or is this not the case. I used to drive up from Kineton to have a look at 655, although it was always after work so I had to be content with a peak through/around the fence.

[RATATTAK]

I went looking for XH558 today - couldn't see it anywhere from the roads around the perimeter

[toastyhamster]

yellowjack said:

saaby93 said:

Number 3 in taxiable state
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wellesbourne+Mou...

Last I heard XM655 was under threat because the airfield that is home to it is under threat of closure and redevelopment for housing. Or is this not the case. I used to drive up from Kineton to have a look at 655, although it was always after work so I had to be content with a peak through/around the fence.

I believe that's all been resolved:
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-ne...

However they're unable to taxi at the moment and cancelled the annual Fathers day run, so could still be rumbling on.

[davidexige]

aeropilot said:

Lotobear said:

There's one been sitting on the tarmac at Carlisle Airport (or that should now be Carlisle Lake District Airport, if they ever start running flights) for years - I drive past it regularly and to be fair it's in decent cosmetic condition.

They did a exterior refurb/re-paint of it about 10 years ago.

I would thoroughly recommend a visit to see XJ823 as they do cockpit tours, think this might be the only static display where you can actually do this, it’s worth going just for that alone, though we both enjoyed visiting the rest of the museum.

A place I thought I would never have the privilege of sitting.

Edited by davidexige on Wednesday 19th June 19:59

[jurbie]

XM655 at Wellesbourne also do cockpit tours, I treated the missus on her 40th birthday.

[aeropilot]

davidexige said:

A place I thought I would never have the privilege of sitting.

Back in the late summer of 1982, a couple of months after it returned from Ascension Island, I got to sit in the left hand seat of 'Black Buck' XM607

[Dr Jekyll]

davidexige said:

A place I thought I would never have the privilege of sitting.

As an ATC cadet in the 70s I sat in the cockpit of a few Vulcans a few Victors, a Valiant and a Lancaster. All on the ground, but nevertheless fantastic opportunities that I took for granted at the time.

The Valiant internal layout is much like the Vulcan except the pilots area seems a bit more spacious. Of the V bombers the Victor cockpit seemed the most pleasant environment for a long flight.

[DrDeAtH]

RoverP6B said:

Re XL426, amid much fanfare she was brought indoors, VRT spent a fair bit doing up a hangar - but then another hangar at Southend caught fire, and VRT's tenancy was ended. Was VRT ever compensated for that, and is there any hope of getting 426 back undercover?

Negotiations are ongoing . That's all that I can say at the moment.

[DrDeAtH]

aeropilot said:

Lotobear said:

There's one been sitting on the tarmac at Carlisle Airport (or that should now be Carlisle Lake District Airport, if they ever start running flights) for years - I drive past it regularly and to be fair it's in decent cosmetic condition.

They did a exterior refurb/re-paint of it about 10 years ago.

XJ823 is currently undergoing a full repaint. David and team are cracking on weather permitting...

[RATATTAK]

jurbie said:

XM655 at Wellesbourne also do cockpit tours, I treated the missus on her 40th birthday.

You're a good man

[RobGT81]

RATATTAK said:

You're a good man

Taking her up the nose leg?

Apparently they are still planning a swanky visitor centre at Robin Hood for 558.

[aeropilot]

RobGT81 said:

Apparently they are still planning a swanky visitor centre at Robin Hood for 558.

Nearly 4 years on from its final flight.......I won't hold my breath on that ever happening.

[RoverP6B]

She's already been largely forgotten by the public. I give it another five years before VTTST goes bust and Peel decide they'd rather not have a hundred tons of decaying aluminium on their airport...