Bruntingthorpe news

[Vulcanone]

Some of it has reportedly been bought for parts by NASA to keep the flyer in the USA going. Fair game I reckon

[burleysway]

Some of it has reportedly been bought for parts by NASA to keep the flyer in the USA going. Fair game I reckon

Having been part of the original team that started restoring the Guppy in 2009, I very much doubt any of the parts could be reused on a flying Guppy.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Some of it has reportedly been bought for parts by NASA to keep the flyer in the USA going. Fair game I reckon

Having been part of the original team that started restoring the Guppy in 2009, I very much doubt any of the parts could be reused on a flying Guppy.

I agree entirely. Can’t see anything being useable.

[roughcutter]

I agree entirely. Can’t see anything being useable.
[/quote]

Fuselage and cockpit would make a great man cave

[Vulcanone]

It was reported that NASA had bought some stuff off it on a Facebook group... But I'll leave those that know to confirm....

[Bradsim]

VC-10s now sharing the scrapping apron with the remains of the Guppy...

[ColintheCaterpillar]

VC-10s now sharing the scrapping apron with the remains of the Guppy...

VC10s moved off the centre of the airfield to outside of the track onto the pan where they used to be before the Guppy and 747 were scrapped.

[ZD241_VC10]

VC-10s now sharing the scrapping apron with the remains of the Guppy...

VC10s moved off the centre of the airfield to outside of the track onto the pan where they used to be before the Guppy and 747 were scrapped.

It’s worth adding some clarity to the situation. There’s been a lot of discussion over the past few days as to the fate of the VC10s at Bruntingthorpe, and a fair amount of disinformation (or, as Trump would say “fake news”). So:

Facts:

- The VC10s are not owned, and never have been owned by Dave Walton. They are privately owned by GJD who, for a variety of commercial reasons moved to St Athan in Wales.

- Once it was established that the Bruntingthorpe site would no longer be available for aviation activities, a group of interested parties came together to brainstorm and scope a potential move of the aircraft, if possible remaining live.

- To remain live would have meant relocating to an active airfield. This would have entailed significant operating limitations and overhead costs. Estimated costs including move and operating in year 1-5 would have been in the region of £400-450k.

- The aircraft could be moved as a static exhibit (as was done with XR808 to Cosford). This would still cost in the region of £250-300k.

- This all assumes there remains a market for people to pay to taxi on a VC10. At the end of the second year, we were beginning to see empty seat, despite very good levels of interest. But for the numbers to work, 40 passengers were needed on each run.

- Insurance. This is a biggy. At Bruntingthorpe we were insured to run with 40 passengers on board, assuming we had sufficient levels of crew on board (this included OCU trained flightdeck personnel AND someone who had been qualified as a cabin supervisor). This cost escalated at about 15% per annum, and this year the insurer pulled out of the market. With no insurer there is no model to make a live move viable.

- The “value” of the airframe is significantly less than any cost to move it.

So, despite what you may read from the “angry of social media” elsewhere, please bare this in mind. Most of the team who have operated ZD241 since 2014 understand the reality of the situation; a situation like this was the main reason we never wanted ownership of the airframe, as we could NEVER have afforded to cover the costs in this type of situation.

I hope this clarifies things before people start mid slinging IF the worst happens.

[2e1var]

Not really, is she safe or for the chop ?

[Nighthawke]

Clear enough to me - the last sentence makes the future unknown - at least to the poster. As stated GHD are the owners so they will be involved in the final decision.

[ZD241_VC10]

Not really, is she safe or for the chop ?

I/we actually don’t know.

Just giving a little bit of context though.

[2e1var]

No, apologies. Just like to know she's safe even if she won't be moved or run again.

[ZD241_VC10]

No, apologies. Just like to know she's safe even if she won't be moved or run again.

I wouldn’t advise putting any money on it. Unfortunately the new leaseholder’s position is well known and there is very little space outside of “their area”.

You’ve probably seen that Dave Walton’s big aircraft have moved into a very tight space. Some people may ask why he hasn’t taken a ‘10; I’d suggest he doesn’t want the liability of another large airframe.

[capttom]

HI ALL VC-10S ZA147 AND ZD241 HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE SCRAPPING PAN AND WILL ALSO BE BROKEN UP
THE EX RAF TRISTARS N304CS N309CS N405CS N570CS N703CS N705CS ARE THOUGHT TO BE NOT LONG FOR THIS WORLD

[robopog]

Not Bruntingthorpe specifically, but buccaneer related.

I only recently found out that Hawker Hunter aviation have one https://www.hunterteam.com/hunterteam_a ... buccaneer/

"Although retained by the RAF at Lossiemouth as an instructional airframe (9225M), it was in fact never used for instructional purposes. Instead XX885 was stored in hangar K20 where it was overseen by Engineering Wing staff. The aircraft was put up for disposal in 2000 and was purchased at auction on the 16th March by HHA, inhibited and then shipped by road and sea to HHA’s maintenance base at RAF Scampton.

After over 2750 hours of design verification and critical system analysis work by HHA staff, the aircraft was classified in the BCAR A8-20 ‘Complex’ category for civilian use.

XX885 is currently in storage at HHA’s RAF Scampton facility undergoing regular anti-det maintenance and custodial ground runs. The aircraft, it’s systems and spares are maintained in such a condition that it can readily be reactivated to flight status should a contractual tasking arise which requires the performance & flight envelope of the Buccaneer platform."

Time for a gofundme?

[2e1var]

Not Bruntingthorpe specifically, but buccaneer related.

I only recently found out that Hawker Hunter aviation have one https://www.hunterteam.com/hunterteam_a ... buccaneer/

"Although retained by the RAF at Lossiemouth as an instructional airframe (9225M), it was in fact never used for instructional purposes. Instead XX885 was stored in hangar K20 where it was overseen by Engineering Wing staff. The aircraft was put up for disposal in 2000 and was purchased at auction on the 16th March by HHA, inhibited and then shipped by road and sea to HHA’s maintenance base at RAF Scampton.

After over 2750 hours of design verification and critical system analysis work by HHA staff, the aircraft was classified in the BCAR A8-20 ‘Complex’ category for civilian use.

XX885 is currently in storage at HHA’s RAF Scampton facility undergoing regular anti-det maintenance and custodial ground runs. The aircraft, it’s systems and spares are maintained in such a condition that it can readily be reactivated to flight status should a contractual tasking arise which requires the performance & flight envelope of the Buccaneer platform."

Time for a gofundme?

It's been that way for years bud, don't think we'll see her fly.

Rich

[Seahornet1]

Not Bruntingthorpe specifically, but buccaneer related.

I only recently found out that Hawker Hunter aviation have one https://www.hunterteam.com/hunterteam_a ... buccaneer/

"Although retained by the RAF at Lossiemouth as an instructional airframe (9225M), it was in fact never used for instructional purposes. Instead XX885 was stored in hangar K20 where it was overseen by Engineering Wing staff. The aircraft was put up for disposal in 2000 and was purchased at auction on the 16th March by HHA, inhibited and then shipped by road and sea to HHA’s maintenance base at RAF Scampton.

After over 2750 hours of design verification and critical system analysis work by HHA staff, the aircraft was classified in the BCAR A8-20 ‘Complex’ category for civilian use.

XX885 is currently in storage at HHA’s RAF Scampton facility undergoing regular anti-det maintenance and custodial ground runs. The aircraft, it’s systems and spares are maintained in such a condition that it can readily be reactivated to flight status should a contractual tasking arise which requires the performance & flight envelope of the Buccaneer platform."

Time for a gofundme?

I think you've misunderstood HHA's business; they have no interest in restoring / operating aircraft for display or enthusiast-related purposes, and make their money from lucrative commercial contracts for military training. The key phrase in your quote above is "....it can readily be reactivated to flight status should a contractual tasking arise...".

The only way something like a GoFundMe campaign would be relevant, is if HHA put the aircraft up for disposal. Given that it's one of their key business assets, my guess is that this isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

[robopog]

Not Bruntingthorpe specifically, but buccaneer related.

I only recently found out that Hawker Hunter aviation have one https://www.hunterteam.com/hunterteam_a ... buccaneer/

"Although retained by the RAF at Lossiemouth as an instructional airframe (9225M), it was in fact never used for instructional purposes. Instead XX885 was stored in hangar K20 where it was overseen by Engineering Wing staff. The aircraft was put up for disposal in 2000 and was purchased at auction on the 16th March by HHA, inhibited and then shipped by road and sea to HHA’s maintenance base at RAF Scampton.

After over 2750 hours of design verification and critical system analysis work by HHA staff, the aircraft was classified in the BCAR A8-20 ‘Complex’ category for civilian use.

XX885 is currently in storage at HHA’s RAF Scampton facility undergoing regular anti-det maintenance and custodial ground runs. The aircraft, it’s systems and spares are maintained in such a condition that it can readily be reactivated to flight status should a contractual tasking arise which requires the performance & flight envelope of the Buccaneer platform."

Time for a gofundme?

It's been that way for years bud, don't think we'll see her fly.

Rich

It's good to know that they seem to have got it passed by the CAA though, possibly increases the chances of us seeing one fly at some point in the future.