Rare Vanguard Pic

[Speedbird217]

Hi there,

It's been a while....

Nice business like picture here.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/douglambert/8754947725/

Cheers,
Robin

[Garry Russell]

Nice pic..thanks

Merpati was a major Vanguard operator and used quite a few of the type over the years and were the last to fly pax with the type.

They were the only airline to operate the V.951, V.952 and V.953.

This is the first livery and the aircraft is an V.952...easy to tell

[DaveB]

Tks Robin

If you ever wonder down (or up) to Brooklands.. have a look behind the acoustic chamber (the brick building next to the London Bus Museum) and you'll see what looks like a blue wing resting up against a wall. It's actually the rudder off a Merpati Vanguard. Gad knows how it ended up at Brooklands

ATB
DaveB

[Tonks]

I really like that picture! Must get to Brooklands again soon Dave... perhaps meet down ther for a day out some time

Tonks

[DaveB]

Indeed mate Sadly, I've not been down since last year although I keep in weekly touch with the team. I, like the rest of us, am waiting for summer to arrive. Hope I've not missed it

ATB
DaveB

[Garry Russell]

Hi Dave

A blue rudder must go back a bit to the middle livery only worn by ex BEA Vanguards..if it is dark blue and not french blue with a yellow band

I guess it may have been replaced when one of them returned to LHR for it's major as those were carried out by BA on the ex BEA aircraft.

[DaveB]

TBH mate.. the more I think about it, the less certain I am it's actually a rudder. It may be an elevator The paint on it is so buggered.. it may have some yellow, it may not. I'll be sure to check it out next time I go

ATB
DaveB

[Garry Russell]

The ex BEA only wore the first two liveries and BA AFAIK only serviced the ex BA.

Still, whatever it is, I'm sure it will come in useful one day