The New Coronation Project
Discussion
Let’s suppose the Government determine to set up a multi-million pound fund to restore to working condition (flying, sailing, running, etc) a British engineering icon to celebrate the Carolean era. Sensible, achievable, realistic projects only - so I’m not talking about raising the Lusitania and putting her back into commercial service ! It can be a plane, ship, train, car, etc etc. It can be a museum piece or attraction - civil or military. What would you vote for ? All permissions / licences can be obtained and hurdles overcome. What would you choose ?
I’m torn between getting a VC10 back in the air or getting the SS Great Britain back on the high seas.
I’m torn between getting a VC10 back in the air or getting the SS Great Britain back on the high seas.
V41LEY said:
Let’s suppose the Government determine to set up a multi-million pound fund to restore to working condition (flying, sailing, running, etc) a British engineering icon to celebrate the Carolean era. Sensible, achievable, realistic projects only - so I’m not talking about raising the Lusitania and putting her back into commercial service ! It can be a plane, ship, train, car, etc etc. It can be a museum piece or attraction - civil or military. What would you vote for ? All permissions / licences can be obtained and hurdles overcome. What would you choose ?
I’m torn between getting a VC10 back in the air or getting the SS Great Britain back on the high seas.
I think it's safe to forget getting SS-GB back on the high seas, but a replica would be nice.I’m torn between getting a VC10 back in the air or getting the SS Great Britain back on the high seas.
Obviously people are going to say "Concorde!" but I'd prefer a VC-10. Concorde is a flashy 'look-at-me' aeroplane – VC-10 is timeless elegance.
V41LEY said:
I’m torn between getting a VC10 back in the air or getting the SS Great Britain back on the high seas.
The only VC-10 left that could stand any chance of flying again, and that's now getting every more remote as time passes, is the ex-RAF one at Dunsfold, ZA150, which was also the last one produced, and was bought by the Brooklands Trust upon RAF retirement, as was last aircraft made at Brooklands factory. They sold it to a US firm back in 2020, who also bought the two at Brunty as spares sources to get ZA flying again.That was nearly 3 years ago, and as far as I know, nothing has been done to it since, and not even sure whether its been taxied or had any anti-det runs done on it since they bought it of Brooklands.
The chances of it flying again were slim back in 2020......they are probably non-existent now in 2023.
It'd probably be almost as cheap to get SS Great Britain sea worthy again, than getting a VC-10 back in the air
aeropilot said:
The only VC-10 left that could stand any chance of flying again, and that's now getting every more remote as time passes, is the ex-RAF one at Dunsfold, ZA150, which was also the last one produced, and was bought by the Brooklands Trust upon RAF retirement, as was last aircraft made at Brooklands factory. They sold it to a US firm back in 2020, who also bought the two at Brunty as spares sources to get ZA flying again.
That was nearly 3 years ago, and as far as I know, nothing has been done to it since, and not even sure whether its been taxied or had any anti-det runs done on it since they bought it of Brooklands.
The chances of it flying again were slim back in 2020......they are probably non-existent now in 2023.
It'd probably be almost as cheap to get SS Great Britain sea worthy again, than getting a VC-10 back in the air
SS-GB looks nice above the water line, but down towards the keel it's a different story, the iron is all cracked and fragile. But a new build would be splendid.That was nearly 3 years ago, and as far as I know, nothing has been done to it since, and not even sure whether its been taxied or had any anti-det runs done on it since they bought it of Brooklands.
The chances of it flying again were slim back in 2020......they are probably non-existent now in 2023.
It'd probably be almost as cheap to get SS Great Britain sea worthy again, than getting a VC-10 back in the air
HMS Warrior would also be cool.
I understand the sentiment of resurrecting an iconic design, but we really are suckers for nostalgia in this country.
Why not put the money towards something new for the future rather than an old Elizabethan (or older) design.
I'm not talking about some EVTOL nonsense. I'd put the money towards getting the Cornwall Space Launch thing working properly and reliably.
Why not put the money towards something new for the future rather than an old Elizabethan (or older) design.
I'm not talking about some EVTOL nonsense. I'd put the money towards getting the Cornwall Space Launch thing working properly and reliably.
BR Class 55 Loco Deltic. Make it tilt and give it Streamliner fairing. Most powerful in terms of HP machine I have driven *.
Build an extra two tracks on the West Coast Main line and race the Deltics against the Avaganti crap we have.
Or get the HST fleet back out with the original engines and let them do 145mph running (152 mph rumoured as top speed ever achieved).
Build an extra two tracks on the West Coast Main line and race the Deltics against the Avaganti crap we have.
Or get the HST fleet back out with the original engines and let them do 145mph running (152 mph rumoured as top speed ever achieved).
- Loco experience day on the East Lancs Railway
808 Estate said:
VC10, or a lightning would be epic for the noise and spectacle they offer. I also think getting a Shackleton airborne would also be reasonably achievable. Another easy win would be Just Jane. Then we would have 2 Lancasters to bring on the noise. 
Maybe not until Mr Zelensky goes home, just in case he gets any ideas.
Allegro_Snapon said:
BR Class 55 Loco Deltic. Make it tilt and give it Streamliner fairing. Most powerful in terms of HP machine I have driven
My first thought was to agree with the suggestion of a VC10 (I think they're the prettiest airliner ever made), but I did also consider using the 'fund' to restore the DP1 prototype Deltic to running order. It wouldn't be a massive job - it is in 'rolling' condition but one of the engines has a major failed seal and both were stripped of many key parts when it was withdrawn to provide spares for marine engines. The engines are not the same as the ones in the production Deltic, being bespoke adaptations of the original Deltic marine engine. It would almost certainly also need almost total re-wiring now as well as some refurbishment to some of the cab furnishings. It is entirely 'do-able' with enough money, but with six production locos preserved and DP1 being unique in so many ways, it has been decided that it is of more historical significance in its broken but original condition than as a runner. Which, by and large, I entirely agree with. But with the hypothetical funds to do the job to the best standards, I don't think I could resist the possibility of seeing and hearing DP1 in proper action.
Who wouldn't want to see a 100mph diesel loco, painted like an ice-cream van, with 36 pistons producing 3300 horsepower? It also represents the optimism, progress, innovation and style that was prevalent at the start of the New Elizabethan Age, and restoring it could be a fitting start to the Carolean Age.
Instead of looking back, we should be looking at getting ahead in the technology needed for the future. In the same way containerisation has changed the shape of ships for ease and speed of freight movement, so making the most of 'free', clean energy should be the new goal.
A new royal yacht could feature the best technology for future clean shipping such as wingsails and either hydrogen or solar for the propellers. Better still, make it an adaptable design, which can showcase the latest innovations in clean propulsion as they come along.
A new royal yacht could feature the best technology for future clean shipping such as wingsails and either hydrogen or solar for the propellers. Better still, make it an adaptable design, which can showcase the latest innovations in clean propulsion as they come along.
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