So thats why they moved XM603...!

[Ray C]

I recorded the 3 episodes of BBC2s series [Racing Legends], and last night watched the
final progamme featuring Colin McRae/Sir Chris Hoy, both men i admire greatly.

It was a particularly enjoyable watch as i enjoy Fast rally car driving,Then,,,,,i'm transported to
Woodford air field...! with the US rally star Ken Block/Chris Hoy "Thrashing" around XM603 up and down the
runway, and even through the fire station with fire trucks still in it....!

What a fantastic treat, and yet another event they kept "The Lid On" at Woodford.
Just one thing,,,,, She did not look her best for TV....?



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Colin's Dad Jimmy McRae on the left

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[Sploosher]

she does look a bit dirty,hopefully they will get her cleaned up real soon........

[Ray C]

I've been given the "Nod" 603 has been moved yet again..! twice in
six months, it seems she is now near the the fire station area.

This ties in with the new owners intention to site her near a new heritage cent,
(Yet to be built) , could be this year, anyway, I may pop over & get some photo's
of her.

This all seems to be proceeding as the new owners/Avro Heritage Cent advised,
I wonder if there is more footage of her second move....?



Yep she's moved again...Just think , if she'd been looked after 603 could have moved there under
her own power.....

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[Dave Bancroft]

A couple of images on my blog taken after the latest move, but this time from the opposite side of the airfield and the opposite side of Ray Cs images.

http://bfbsoutdoorramblings.blogspot.co.uk/

sorry not sure how to pop images on here

Dave

[Dan4th]

Thanks, Dave, those are some nice shots of
603 and a very nice website you have there!

And welcome to Iconic, too!

Dan4th

[Ray C]

Welcome Dave, yep good shots of 603 (The More The Better)

[Dave Bancroft]

Thank you both Dan and Ray.

As a newbie it seems that I dont have PM privledges yet, so anyway to answer Rays question. I access the land on the far side of the Airfield when I go birdwatching from Adlington Driving Range. Park in the car park and walk along the tarmaced old road that runs the length of the stubble field towards the Airfield.

You will only get access upto the perimeter fence. Anyway I will try to get more images and post them on my blog over the next few weeks.

If your in the area any time and were going along to see XM603 from this side, let me know and hopefully will be able to say hello.

Lets hope she gets a bit of a make over at the very least.

Dave

[Mayfly]

One more post and you will have PM privledges,

She doesn't look quite as bad in your photos Dave must be the light.

Thanks for posting them - good to keep a record of these things.

[Dave Bancroft]

One more post and you will have PM privledges,

She doesn't look quite as bad in your photos Dave must be the light.

Thanks for posting them - good to keep a record of these things.

Cheers Mayfly, looks like im hooked now

I will keep an eye on her and post any news in the coming months
Dave

[Vulcan Lover]

Hi guys, i have joined up here to give you info on XM603, the guys started work on here a few weeks ago, the work was to get her tyres inflated, and release the brakes, the brakes had to be removed to get her rolling, a thorough investigation was done on her undercarriage and mounts, to see if she could be safely moved, this was all done, and she was towed a couple of hunderd yards using the correct tow hitch, this was succesfull, she was left here until we where ready, come the big day, she was moved to her final resting place, next to the fire station, this area will be the heritage centre in the future, she is to recieve a wash and brush up, and a possible repaint, and i hope, some tinwork, her future is assured, in our ranks, we have some VERY profesional people, including several ex BAE staff, and are well qualified to carry this out, the fact that we did backs this up, here is the vid of her move, we hope you apreciate the groups efforts, and the work of the superb airfield owners in keeping the heritage alive,

(Youtube link removed at poster's request)

[Lucas1860]

Thanks for the update.

Jim

Hi guys, i have joined up here to give you info on XM603, the guys started work on here a few weeks ago, the work was to get her tyres inflated, and release the brakes, the brakes had to be removed to get her rolling, a thorough investigation was done on her undercarriage and mounts, to see if she could be safely moved, this was all done, and she was towed a couple of hunderd yards using the correct tow hitch, this was succesfull, she was left here until we where ready, come the big day, she was moved to her final resting place, next to the fire station, this area will be the heritage centre in the future, she is to recieve a wash and brush up, and a possible repaint, and i hope, some tinwork, her future is assured, in our ranks, we have some VERY profesional people, including several ex BAE staff, and are well qualified to carry this out, the fact that we did backs this up, here is the vid of her move, we hope you apreciate the groups efforts, and the work of the superb airfield owners in keeping the heritage alive,

(Youtube link removed at poster's request)

[Ray C]

What great news & footage on 603s (Walkabout), anyone notice the condition
of Woodfords main runway....? It looks better that the M1...!
So It's good news today on two Vulcans.....603 & 558, fingers crossed for all the others out there.

[Vulcan Lover]

The runway was relaid with an all weather rain shifting surface a few years ago, this was to let the Antonov land, which it did, at least once, its not got many tyre landing marks, as a matter of interest, 603 was a HUGE help with 558, she was usefull for spar aging, holes were drilled through the skin on 603 in various places, and boroscopes fed inside, 603s spars where found to be in great condition, this was fed back to 558 at brunti, i do believe that 2 of 603s engines are actually flying, or have been flown in 558, she has donated various parts for 558, buzz bars, fuse boxes, control columns so parts of 603 are still in use, not bad eh? one thing i would like to see on 603 is filling her oleos full of thick oil, so she regains her proud stance. right now, she looks a tad down in the mouth, i think in service they where full of something a tad more lethal!! looking round her, she has faired the outdoors well, she needs some attention on the trailing edges, and muck cleans off, so no probs there, so, will keep you informed, she is well loved now, work will be done,

[Dan4th]

This is all good to know, and that was a
Great Vid you sent us

It's also good to know that 603 isn't just
disintegrating into a pile of rubble

Please keep us informed because she does
have a great deal of importance!

Even for this Slimey Murkin

Danf.

[Sooty655]

The runway was relaid with an all weather rain shifting surface a few years ago, this was to let the Antonov land, which it did, at least once, its not got many tyre landing marks, as a matter of interest, 603 was a HUGE help with 558, she was usefull for spar aging, holes were drilled through the skin on 603 in various places, and boroscopes fed inside, 603s spars where found to be in great condition, this was fed back to 558 at brunti, i do believe that 2 of 603s engines are actually flying, or have been flown in 558, she has donated various parts for 558, buzz bars, fuse boxes, control columns so parts of 603 are still in use, not bad eh? one thing i would like to see on 603 is filling her oleos full of thick oil, so she regains her proud stance. right now, she looks a tad down in the mouth, i think in service they where full of something a tad more lethal!! looking round her, she has faired the outdoors well, she needs some attention on the trailing edges, and muck cleans off, so no probs there, so, will keep you informed, she is well loved now, work will be done,

603's engines were donated to XM655 ~ they are 301s, and wouldn't fit XH558.

[Vulcan Lover]

no idea, only going off what i was told, glad you like the vid, she will get cleaned and spruced up, i hope she will be a feature part for the future, but thats down to the airfield owners, they are a great down to earth set of guys, i have great admiration for them

[Avro683]

Please keep us posted with updates on work to her.. She is much loved and a shame she was left to fall into disrepair like this.. Will the goal be to reequip her cockpit and have tours as a means of her earning her upkeep or??

[Flat cap]

Do they need anymore ex-Woodford people to help out?

[Vulcan Lover]

the only answer to both questions, is early days, and no idea, sorry

[WaddoVet]

i do believe that 2 of 603s engines are actually flying, or have been flown in 558

As 603 was a 301 engined a/c they wouldn't be much use for 558!

[Vulcan Lover]

As has been explained further up,

[Flat cap]

One of your models? Very impressive.

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthre ... ost2008709

[Jigsaw]

That is really impressive indeed

[Vulcan Lover]

Yes, thats one of ours, it belongs to the chairman of the large model association, 4 years in the build, 21 foot wingspan, 4x 60 lb thrust turbines, safe engine run of 8 minutes, 35 quid a flight!!! we have several 20 foot lancasters, a 22 foot nimrod under construction, we may not be full size guys, but the tech in these models is mega impressive, if you are going to the Cosford full size airshow, there is a chance Dave will be flying it there,

we do shows up and down the country, the association has near a 1000 members, stuff that is not flying full size is replicated in large miniature form, full size or model, they are impressive, some of the leading lights of Woodford, who worked on nimrod are members, and fly at Woodford, the home of a model club for many many years,

just an edit, i have recieved PMs asking about the models, and being able to view them fly, at the moment, its not possible, due to insurance reasons, ( the golf coarse fence though, is a good vantage point) but, if you wish to see these large models fly, we do shows, that are local to Woodford at RAF Cosford, home of the cold war museum, and much more, and Elvington, near York, home of the museum,and halifax replica friday 13th, look at events on the LMA site, i hope it does not break forum rules posting an outside link, but a mod can remove if its not sutable
http://www.largemodelassociation.com/

[Vulcan Lover]

sorry, had to delete this