Warbirds at Staverton

[jamesc_1729]

Hi

I live near staverton airport (gloucester). I have read some oblique references to a rolls-royce spitfire being relocated to staverton from filton.

Does anyone know whether this is the case and whether I can find out operating schedules, for this or any other warbirds at this location? I would quite like to keep an eye out for any movements.

Cheers

[fatboy69]

It was the Rolls Royce Spitfire that was based at Filton - she was due to be relocated to Staverton after Filton closed down & should have been living in a hanger up here by now.

When XH558 did her fly-by in September 2012 i met up with a PH'r at Staverton (high flier is his user name i think) who gave me & my 7 year a tour of the hanger where the where his work horse was based (a cracking private jet) & showed me where the Spitfore was to have been relocated too.

Sadly it doesnt appear to have happened although i dont know why. I will ask him why it diodnt happen.

There arent any 'war-birds' based at Staverton at the moment which is a shame.

[Eric Mc]

Yes there are - although none are flying. A Gloster themed aircraft museum has just opened on the airfield so there are examples of A Javelin, Meteors etc on display.

The first air museum I ever visited in the UK was the old Skyfame Museum which was based at Staverton. That was in 1976. The Skyfame Museum closed down not long after with the bulk of their aircraft relocating to Duxford.

[perdu]

Ah Skyfame, I rememberr it well.

Did you see the Proctor outside that was quietly disassembling herself into her component parts?

Anyone and everyone scampering in and out of her as if she was a kid's park climbing frame.

I hope she eventually found a new lover who could at least stop the rot.

I went to Skyfame a couple of times, nice easy ride down the M5 from Brum.

[Eric Mc]

Don't recall the Proctor.

I do remember that there were a number of Twin Pioneers scattered around the airfield.

[52classic]

I don't recall the Proctor either, but back in late 60's Skyfame had an Avro York, a Flying Flea and a Mosquito - Used in the film 633 Squadron. Not sure if it was a rep, built for the film or an original.

[Eric Mc]

I think they are all at Duxford now.

Having said that, the York at Duxford is G-ANTK which used to be at Lasham.

[andy97]

Must admit that I thought the Rolls Royce Spitfire was based at East Midlands Airport. I saw it only the other day and have done numerous times over the years, including when it landed on its belly only a few months ago.

[52classic]

I'm almost certain that NTK was the reg on the Skyfame York Eric, but it was a long time ago! AIRC it was in Dan Air livery and then re-painted to represent Churchill's wartime transport.

[saaby93]

I thought staverton was going to be a jet age museum which sort of rules out a spitfire

[aeropilot]

52classic said:

I don't recall the Proctor either, but back in late 60's Skyfame had an Avro York, a Flying Flea and a Mosquito - Used in the film 633 Squadron. Not sure if it was a rep, built for the film or an original.

Skyframe actually had TWO Mossie's back then, both B(TT)35's, RS709 and TA719, and both were used in '633 Squadron'.
By the late 60's, only RS709 was still a flyer, TA719 had been badly damaged in a landing accident at Staverton a year after 633 Squadron had been filmed. It was transported to the studios at Borehamwood for filming ground scenes for 'Mosquito Squadron' and after the collapse of the Skyframe collection went to the IWM at Duxford where it is still on display.
The flyer, RS709, was sold to an owner in the USA by the beginning of the 70's, and after a few changes of ownership, including another two ferry flights back and forth across the Atlantic is now permanently grounded and on display at the USAF Museum at Dayton, Ohio.

[jamesc_1729]

Thanks for the info everyone.

[Big Bad Ben]

andy97 said:

Must admit that I thought the Rolls Royce Spitfire was based at East Midlands Airport. I saw it only the other day and have done numerous times over the years, including when it landed on its belly only a few months ago.

This man speaks the truth - convenient for the odd factory fly past!



ETA Andy, you're not a R-R employee are you? There's a nice red Ur Quattro parked outside my office most days...

Edited by Big Bad Ben on Saturday 10th August 23:22

[andy97]

Big Bad Ben said:

andy97 said:

Must admit that I thought the Rolls Royce Spitfire was based at East Midlands Airport. I saw it only the other day and have done numerous times over the years, including when it landed on its belly only a few months ago.

This man speaks the truth - convenient for the odd factory fly past!



ETA Andy, you're not a R-R employee are you? There's a nice red Ur Quattro parked outside my office most days...

Edited by Big Bad Ben on Saturday 10th August 23:22

Hi Ben.

No, not an R-R employee and my Quattro is grey! I am contracting at Bombardier at the moment so not far away though! Contract comes to an end tomorrow so some much needed down time due.

I sse the R-R Spitfire (amongst other interesing a/c) whilst walking the dogs round the EMA perimeter fence.