Classic British Flight Sim

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Sad but not completely unexpected. The question that remains is whether the large airframes will be moved, saved, etc....

There seems to be an undercurrent of hope in the postings from the team, perhaps a rabbit will be pulled out of the hat!

As some of you will know, I was a volunteer with the CAF at Newquay, way before it opened and like so many of us, only knew about the closure from reading about it on Facebook. Thanks a lot Coventry. I gave up a lot of my own personal time and money for that organisation and this is the end result. So many reasons to leave, none of which carry any real weight and yes, what will happen to the airframes. Some are slated to return to Coventry, but the majority of the larger ones are destined to end their days one way or another at Newquay. There is talk of some volunteers trying to save some items and form an independent museum, but this all costs money and that is something that we do not have.

Will let you know when I hear anything new and factual, rather than the rumours that abound on Facebook. Me, well I'm back in the Harvard world now, but am still rather saddened at the news. We knew it was going to happen one day, but it would have been nice to be appreciated and not used.

Cheers,

Martin

Well, it's very sad, but given the difficulties the SW has in getting people in these days, I suppose it was predictable . I imagine that the idea first arose as an attempt to salvage something from the fiasco of Coventry's closure, and in that context it was not an unreasonable decision to have a go in a relatively popular holiday spot, but the change of heart over Coventry altered everything. I am sorry for those, including T6flyer, who put a lot of effort into trying to make it succeed . Better to have tried and failed, than not to have tried at all

I don't think it was anything to do with the area in which we live, but in the way business was run. It wasn't advertised enough (I could go to Bodmin the next town up the road and people wouldn't have a clue), it was meant to employ 25 people and it didn't and no real effort was done to maximise the educational side of the venue and its inhabitants. There is all this talk in the local press about the corrosive nature of the salt in the air (never stopped the RAF, Royal Navy etc from operating down here for over 75 years) and then the ever rising Council Charges. Which wasn't the case at all. They arrived as part of the new Aerohub Enterprise Scheme and knew that the rents were going to increase every year. And then when it didn't work out, due to the points raised earlier, they had to go. I was not allowed to procure anything last Summer and now Coventry has a new visitor centre, new hangar doors and lots of nice rebuilt aeroplanes. From one extreme to the other.

With help from wonderful people here, I built the CAF 'Sit in' Simulator featuring the aeroplanes of the Classic Air Force and locally produced scenery. As it is no more now, perhaps that might be going on a lorry to Coventry? Who knows and I for one don't care!

Cheers,

Martin

Hi Martin,

Well that is sad news to say the least, you will not remember we met when i visited just after the 1.11 had arrived and posted a couple of photos on here of my visit to the cockpit, now i have moved to Cornwall i was hoping to have a few more days there, the staff were a real friendly bunch and it made the visit so enjoyable,

Of course it is people like yourself who it will hit harder and i hope they will be able to at least save some of the exhibits, Bugger that has ruined my day,

Roger.

The latest I've heard is that the Varsity, Single seat Hunter, Sea Hawk and possibly the Harrier (depending on what the Navy say) are to go back to Coventry, along with all of the static engines and a simulator. Not sure if this is the one that I built and if so they will need new scenery!

Big big meeting tomorrow to discuss the future, but think this involves us putting our hands into our pockets and a lot of us just haven't got the necessary for what is required to survive. Whatever their plans are (we have never seen a business plan etc), I can't see anything happening. What happens to the remaining aircraft is anyone's guess. I'll be there to see my old friends, but as I have told Coventry last week, I want no part of it. The remnants of something that could have worked well, are not for me.

Will let you know what happens.

Cheers,

Martin