Aircorps at national museum.

[warthog]

if they had some old U.S parts they could posssibly do something here

[Fouga23]

looks like a possible static restoration. would take LOTS of time though :s

[John K]

You're right, John, we used to run up a Provost as apprentices with Freddie Parks (Cushy Fred!) I'm sure that's still there, somewhere! I remember the fire crews doing wilful destruction-as part of their ongoing training-  to some fuselages behind Heli Sqn Hangar back in the late '70s, on what was termed the 'Fire Dump'. I don't remember what aircraft they were but they must have been collectable items! Sacrelidge!
I had a load of stuff in a box in my brothers loft in Palmerston which I'd forgotten the whereabouts of, I remembered recently where it could be and when I asked his estranged wife about it she said she'd given it away! Howl!! Howl!! Nooo! Why didn't she contact me? She must've known who was the rightful owner! (Well the Air Corps actually, but let's not split hairs!)

[P.Doff]

One of the Chipmunks was still running up until a few years ago in Gormo. As a matter of fact it was still flying until the early 90's. I remember it doing a low run over the square during a parade back then. It came in from the east over the square buzzing the cookhouse. Pity it ran out of hrs!!

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there
183 was the Provost with the usable engine.Freddie Parkes and Jim Davis used to mind it.If ever there was a viable project for restoration to flight, it's that one....the Chippie, 168, was grounded because no-one would take the risk of signing it off.It would take very,very little effort to get that flying again.I'd even do it for nothing, if the Don would accept my A+C licenses.
regards
GttC

[P.Doff]

Ah! So 168 didnt run out of hours!! Shit, why the hell dont we get it up and running.Or is she gone?? I should take more notice of these things.
 Im sure it wouldnt take too much effort. I think Comdt Cosgrave(retd now) was the last pilot to fly her if Im right, but Im sure theres plenty of pilots (or nco's/airmen) who are quite capable of taking her up again. If Im not mistaken theres still new engines lying around for her aswell somewhere.

[Silver]

It's an awful pity that all this good will and enthusiasm can't be harnessed as part of a dedicated Air Corps Museum ??!!

When will the 'powers that be' wake up and get a museum established '>

Bertie is looking for ways to commemorate our Defence Forces/1916 - surely setting up such a museum would be one way of paying tribute to the founders of our state/1916?!!

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi all
Someone with a direct line to Mick Whelan should ask him to make a register of individuals willing to give their time to work in the Museum,after hours and at weekends. A simple badging system would ensure security and I suggest that a party of people follow the US/UK museum practise of "adopting" an aircraft or an artifact and contributing to it's upkeep. Anyone that turns up would be expected to muck in and not just "anorak" about. All it needs is someone to kickstart it at official level...
Tony, could you move this along?
regards
GttC

[Claudel Hopson]

Provost 183 is in the museum but hasn't been run in years. On top of that the prop and engine haven't been turned over in donkeys years which means that the crankshaft has been in the one position for god knows how long. You'd be hard pushed to get the engine cleared of the hydraulic lock and whatever damage has been done to the main journals.

168 was brought back from Gormo about a year ago and re-assembled. There aren't that many hours left on it the way it is but its life can be extended if if gets its main spars modified and strengthened. The engine is probably in a poor condition having laid up for a few years and would probably need a strip inspection to return it to service. There are still a few of us qualified Chippie techs left but we haven't been asked to give it a going over.

[Tony Kearns]

GttC,
PM on the  way
Tony K

[papa 242]

Would'nt it be great to see a Chipmunk in IAC colours take to the air again,theres already an ex RAF University Air Sqdn (Nottingham I think!?) at Strandhill.Last I heard,it was flying locally

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi Claudel
I think 183 and 168 are good candidates for restoration because they are so intact and are in at least a basic level of preservation. It wouldn't take much effort to get the Chippy running because the engine is a simple one and the wing mods are comparatively simple to carry out.It is the best candidate of all the aircraft there, apart from the Marchetti. I accept that the Leonides on the Provost would be harder to restore to running order, but, again, it's not insurmountable.
There is a Chippy based at Kilrush, near Athy, owned by an ex-Air Corps/Air Lingus pilot and it is airworthy.It is still in it's UAS colours. I have flown in it twice and it is delightful to fly. All the more reason to get 168 flying again.In real terms, it would cost a few thousand to get it flying, a sum that the AC could find, I'm sure. There are discretionary funds in the annual budget, subject to the nod of the GoC. I'm sure a well-written request for a seed budget would go a long way.
My toolbox are ready! Just give me the nod and we could get 168 to taxying condition in short order.
regards
GttC

[Irish251]

Returning to the original theme of this thread, does anyone know if the Miles Magister and Vampire are now on display at Collins Barracks?  I have not yet had a chance to go there to check for myself.

[P.Doff]

The part of the museum that they are located has'nt been opened yet and is still under construction. Pity really because I believe that the aircraft are covered in dust and dirt already due to the ongoing work!!

[RMR]

Was 168 the Chippie that was restored in gormanston by flt/sgt Hearty and crew,we had a video of it going for its first flight after restoration,is she in Bal now,when was it finally grounded ?