Whispering Giant Bristol Britannia Aeroplane

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LIVERPOOL’S ‘Whispering Giant’ – a huge Bristol Britannia aeroplane – has returned home after being rescued from a fire dump by a group of enthusiasts.

Former owner of the Bristol Britannia G-ANCF (Charlie Fox) Roger Hargreaves said his rare and beautiful aircraft was in serious danger of being scrapped after the owners of Kemble airfield in Gloucestershire gave him just one month to find it a new home.

Fortunately Merseyside’s Jetstream Club heard about the former British Eagle aircraft’s plight and offered to transport Charlie Fox bit-by-bit to their site at the old airport terminal buildings at Speke.

Several wagons containing support gear and control surfaces made the trip over the last month in preparation for her arrival and yesterday the aircraft – one of only four remaining in the UK – arrived at Speke on a series of low loaders where she will now be restored to its former glory. continues.....

There'ssome more discussion here on this aircrafts relocation.

Some great information here as well.

I think I've seen this or parts of this whilst in the gym. I'll have another luck.....

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Many more here - hope u liked them :PDT10

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Originally Posted by Kev

Many more here - hope u liked them :PDT10

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Top totty!

:)

Thanks very much :PDT10

Popped into the Old Airport to see the Giant and found this >>>>

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...rport00016.jpg

Killed two birds with one stone
Is that the real callsign ??? I have my doubts.

Not much change in the Giant yet but it's early days.


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http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b1...rport00021.jpg


Phredd

Sure Howard Hughes was not behind this?

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Originally Posted by Tockeyhead

Sure Howard Hughes was not behind this?

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Howard who ? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is her real callsign!! :unibrow:

Paid a visit to the Old airport today to see how things are pregressing and came away with some nice pics :-
As you may notice the wings have been added too and the cockpit is at a nice point in renovation but a bit of a jigsaw I am told.
I will keep up the visting in the weeks ahead.
One more pic to come but I will keep that for later :)

Phredd

While at the airport I paid a visit to the Jetstream aircraft alongside.
I did not know it had a 'Flight Simulator'. A very nice supprise. Did not have much time to play on it but took these pics:-

With the simulator you can fly to any airport in the world in any comercial aircraft, even the Airbus 380.
Go and have a try at Concord :)
Phredd

^^Excellent^^ :handclap:

As promised the pic you want to see :-
I believe this was taken about 1958 (can you go back that far) :lol:
This is what the aircraft will look like when completed. Both are one and the same aircraft

Bob and crew at the airport = Thanks for the info, the pictures and the patience. I know you will read it.
See you again soon. Thanks.
Phredd

^^Liverpool Airport^^?

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Originally Posted by Kev

^^Liverpool Airport^^?

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Not sure Kev but looking at the background houses, it could be.

Not much change since last visit.
I think the next big job is to join it all up then get it on its undercarriage.

Phredd, do u know anything about a plane that looks in a similar state lying at John Lennon Airport?

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Originally Posted by Kev

Phredd, do u know anything about a plane that looks in a similar state lying at John Lennon Airport?

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Kev
NO :- but I will try to find out.

It could be one of the practice escape planes for cabin crew that most airports seem to have these days.

Dont like going to JL very often as I was pulled a few years ago. Playing amateur radio at the end of the runway, Dungeon Lane end (WAB, special event station). Airport security and local Bobbies took umbridge to it :)
Told them I was in Cheshire and not Merseyside as per Ord Survey map.
Phredd

Here it is:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/192/4...bc175ee463.jpg

Paid another visit to the Whispering Giant today.
Can you spot the change since my last visit :

Kev :- I have not been able to find out about the other aircraft at JLA. I must be loosing my touch. Will keep at it.

Phredd

Plane of two halves becomes one again - IT WAS a plane of two halves, but is now one, as Europe’s most significant aviation heritage project literally comes together in Liverpool. more

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Destined to become an outstanding visitor attraction, there is no equivalent heritage project like this in Europe involving such an historic aviation-linked building and aircraft.

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Kev

I was there yesterday and if it is now all one again they must have worked all b****y night.
It was still in two bits, but yes the front has been attached to the 'mid section'. The under carriage is not on yet.
I am informed that the back end will not be attached till after the 24 June.
Have a look at my last post:- the one above yours (pic 4 is the best).
I will keep you informed of progress when I can.

Phredd

PS:- just put pic number 4 on here.

Visited today 23 June 07.

As you can see it is still in two halves.

Its comming along fine. Plenty of Nitro Mores being used along with Elbow Power.

Phredd

Excellent :handclap:. Get down to the aviation fair tomorrow :PDT_Piratz_26:

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Originally Posted by Kev

Excellent :handclap:. Get down to the aviation fair tomorrow :PDT_Piratz_26:

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I intend to:) Will you be there ?

Phredd

Could be, depends my youngest lad loves the planes.

These pics has been posted on another thread, but to keep this one up to date I will (if I may) post them here as well. >>>>>>

The under carriage should be on by the end of July (26/29th I think).
It has had it's name put on since my last visit yesterday.
Phredd

Had a trip to the old airport to-day.

No undercarriage on yet. I think the weather has played its part.

Phredd

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The former British Eagle Airlines’ Bristol Britannia, nicknamed Charlie Fox, is being restored at the old Speke Airport Aerodrome, now the Marriott Hotel, Liverpool South.

Charlie Fox is being recon-structed outside the hangar (now David Lloyd Speke sports centre), which was its base during the mid-1960s.

The 1958-built plane is one of only five survivors from the 85 Bristol Britannias built, which were the last great propeller-driven airliners dubbed “the whispering giants”.

It was built under licence by Short Bros in Belfast.

“As Charlie Fox was based at Speke while owned by British Eagle, it is also an important part of our local aviation heritage,” says Roy Coates, chairman of The Jetstream Club which is undertaking the restoration.

Charlie Fox will be on display outside the hotel restaurant. ADMISSION free (donations appreciated); open tomorrow 10am - 4pm. Entry via Marriott Hotel Liverpool South. Further details at website: jetstream-club.org

Hi again all.

After a short visit to Sefton Park I stopped off at my Old Pal the Whispering Giant.

Still not yet on her Under carriage but no longer in three bits.

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and the one below is the Old Git himself :lol:

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Phredd

Cheers Phredd :PDT11

We changed crew in Dakar in 1967 and fly home in one of them.
We had plenty of room
Ron