Breif Visit to East Fortune...

Post by **TSR2** » 02 Jul 2007, 22:25

Hi Chaps,

Was at East Fortune for a few hours today. On a good note, MO will open her doors to the public later this week, and although the paintwork is a little faded, she looks in good nick, even though she's outside.

As far as the Viscount goes, the original plans to re assemble her have been stalled. She is in pretty poor condition and needs a good bit of work. On a positive note though, the fusalage has been moved indoors where she is starting to get the care she needs.

The forward section of the 707 is as was last year when she arrived... also indoors on trollys.

On a sad note there is bugger all left of the Trident. The lower half of the nose section was damaged when being chopped so she is now only a cockpit display, mounted on a wooden plinth.

Overall though, some very possitive news is that progress has been made to aquire the land for the new superhanger. This will house Concorde, 1-11, comet, viscount, 707... and a little bird tells me a yet to be aquired britainia! :shock: A trident was also mentioned, but they may mean whats left of PH... i.e. the cockpit.

This will free up the concorde hanger for the vulcan and the other cold war exhibits.

Obviously this will all take time, but its good to see progress being made.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 02 Jul 2007, 22:53

Thanks for that update Ben

Would that be the Cosford Britannia? :think:

Garry

Post by **TSR2** » 02 Jul 2007, 22:57

Thats just it Garry... I don't know. Th Cosford one fits with Cosford as the RAF opperated the type, so I can't see them letting it go... but you never know.

They were also telling me that all of their other exhibits which are in storage or on loan, will return. Apparently NMS have Aircraft exhibits in storage at some 20 locations in scotland :shock:

Post by **Garry Russell** » 02 Jul 2007, 23:23

The Cosford Brit was not an RAF one....but externally who would know the difference.

Job to see where they would get another Brit from, I can't think of any off UK :think:

A case of whatch this space perhaps

Garry

Stewart Pearson · Post by **Stewart Pearson** » 03 Jul 2007, 01:21

It's good to hear that Fortune are starting to get things sorted. They have been kind of "in the doldrums" since Adam Smith (curator) left and took up a similar position at Oshkosh.

One of the biggest problems (according to local enthusiasts) is that the museum comes under Gov't control. Being in Scotland that could mean Westminister, Holyrood or Local Council, which brings to mind a motto about too many cooks

Cheers

Stewart

Post by **TSR2** » 03 Jul 2007, 01:25

Hi Stewart,

Its defiantely the Scottish Parlament now (I won't be drawn on my views on that) other than to say they seem keen on the project.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 03 Jul 2007, 01:47

What would be really nice

A Caledonian Airways Britannia

Garry

Post by **TSR2** » 03 Jul 2007, 01:55

I'm not holding my breath... unless its the Cosford one.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 03 Jul 2007, 02:20

I think if it is for real..that will be the one :think:

Garry

union79 · Post by **union79** » 04 Jul 2007, 10:40

was there yesterday 3rd july 07, its an amazing place to visit, i went on concorde but dont know how i felt about it? i thought i would be ore struck but i wasnt, i was a case of "Mmmm nice".

l love the comet but this time it was closed :sad: