Lyneham for the winter then?

[PhantomAviator]

If the posting on the other site is correct she is now in a warmish hangar at Lyneham for the winter.

MoD help out again then?

All thanks to the RAF. (Yes I know it is claimed they are charging rent but as they are sponsors of 558 I imagine it will be minimal).

[Gully]

Don't assume the Trust is getting favours from the MoD! Last year's rental was a commercial agreement between the Trust and the MoD and fully open to scrutiny by the bean counters of Whitehall. No doubt this year's arrangements are the same.

The real positive is not needing to get another hangar audited and approved as suitable for maintenance.

Gully

[Xplumberlives]

Don't assume the Trust is getting favours from the MoD! Last year's rental was a commercial agreement between the Trust and the MoD and fully open to scrutiny by the bean counters of Whitehall. No doubt this year's arrangements are the same.

The real positive is not needing to get another hangar audited and approved as suitable for maintenance.

Gully

Surely that is only putting off the inevitable, sometime soon a permanent home has got to be found for 558!

[Mayfly]

Are the RAF still sponsors? I know they did some sponsorship a couple of years ago?

[Gully]

Don't assume the Trust is getting favours from the MoD! Last year's rental was a commercial agreement between the Trust and the MoD and fully open to scrutiny by the bean counters of Whitehall. No doubt this year's arrangements are the same.

The real positive is not needing to get another hangar audited and approved as suitable for maintenance.

Gully

Surely that is only putting off the inevitable, sometime soon a permanent home has got to be found for 558!

Yep - also puts off the spend though! Measured in £000's I suspect...

As for the RAF sponsorship, RAF Careers were sponsors in 2008 and their banners appeared with the aircraft whenever she was parked up, as well as on the website. From recollection, the website banners diappeared in 2009 and I don't remember seeing the RAF Careers banner anywhere accompanying '558 in 2009, so I guess the arrangement lapsed.

Gully

[Sploosher]

Don't assume the Trust is getting favours from the MoD! Last year's rental was a commercial agreement between the Trust and the MoD and fully open to scrutiny by the bean counters of Whitehall. No doubt this year's arrangements are the same.

The real positive is not needing to get another hangar audited and approved as suitable for maintenance.

Gully

Surely that is only putting off the inevitable, sometime soon a permanent home has got to be found for 558!

I was under the impression that 558 would have a new home by the end of THIS years display season.............

[Xplumberlives]

Don't assume the Trust is getting favours from the MoD! Last year's rental was a commercial agreement between the Trust and the MoD and fully open to scrutiny by the bean counters of Whitehall. No doubt this year's arrangements are the same.

The real positive is not needing to get another hangar audited and approved as suitable for maintenance.

Gully

Surely that is only putting off the inevitable, sometime soon a permanent home has got to be found for 558!

I was under the impression that 558 would have a new home by the end of THIS years display season.............

Gordon, this is 558, nothing other than the Engineering and Aircrew areas work as PLANNED!

[PhantomAviator]

Here I go for the wrath of the few again.

Considering the fact that she is now hangared at Lyneham for the winter again. (Something I feel was actually imagined would happen at the start of the season).
Why had plans for public access not been discussed with the MoD and RAF Lyneham during the season?
With the trust knowing the problems of last year they could have foreseen the same this year.
And before people jump in and have a go, think.

If they had already sorted this out, even wthout the full knowledge that she would be there, then there would have been nothing lost if she had gone else where. It is easier to cancel something than to start it so late that no-one benefits.

Yes!!! We all know that Lyneham is an active station and the security problems that surround that issue.

But all I see once again is the dragging of heels. With the announcement that they are now attempting to get public access.

None of the above may I add is aimed at the Engineers, who I understand did most of last years negotiations to gain at least limited public access.

I feel sure that though there was the (well possibly) behind the scenes movement (bum from one chair to another) to find somewhere else for her to be hangared for the closed season that the contingency plan they were already assumed was Brize or Lyneham.

[Xplumberlives]

Here I go for the wrath of the few again.

Considering the fact that she is now hangared at Lyneham for the winter again. (Something I feel was actually imagined would happen at the start of the season).
Why had plans for public access not been discussed with the MoD and RAF Lyneham during the season?
With the trust knowing the problems of last year they could have foreseen the same this year.
And before people jump in and have a go, think.

If they had already sorted this out, even wthout the full knowledge that she would be there, then there would have been nothing lost if she had gone else where. It is easier to cancel something than to start it so late that no-one benefits.

Yes!!! We all know that Lyneham is an active station and the security problems that surround that issue.

But all I see once again is the dragging of heels. With the announcement that they are now attempting to get public access.

None of the above may I add is aimed at the Engineers, who I understand did most of last years negotiations to gain at least limited public access.

I feel sure that though there was the (well possibly) behind the scenes movement (bum from one chair to another) to find somewhere else for her to be hangared for the closed season that the contingency plan they were already assumed was Brize or Lyneham.

Yes, sorry to say you appear to quite correct in your comments, Mackrick was I believe instrumental in arranging the access that was enjoyed last year!

[Mackrick]

Until the money was in then there was no point in us making any arrangements for hangar tours. This does not mean there has been no planning. Even while 558 was still doing displays Toni, Taff, John, Steve and myself have been looking at ways we can improve things on last year. Until we have worked out all the details then I hope that an announcement will made.

[Xplumberlives]

Rick

Thanks for confirming that as we hoped things are indeed in motion!

[PhantomAviator]

Until the money was in then there was no point in us making any arrangements for hangar tours. This does not mean there has been no planning. Even while 558 was still doing displays Toni, Taff, John, Steve and myself have been looking at ways we can improve things on last year. Until we have worked out all the details then I hope that an announcement will made.

Your reply is apprieciated MR, but by your words it would appear that it has been left to the engineers to sort out.
Why wait until the money was in, if plans had been made they could have been cancelled if the appeal had failed.

We know that you have been looking at ways to improve up on last year, I think it was you who said that improvements could be made.

What I can't understand is that others have left it to the engineers for it to become a last minute thing again, only for you and your team to save the day.

If the powers that be (who I do believe knew she would end up at Lyneham again), had taken the bull by the horns at the beginning of the season then as the appeal was a success tours could have been happening already.

I do wish you and your team success in arranging the tours and hopefully I will get down to Lyneham myself.

[Mackrick]

Edit:

Okay well I have just deleted my original post and will leave it as this.

Please understand that everyone is doing their best to get hangar visits underway.
Things are not as simple as they may seem to some.
Please do not read anything into this.
What can be done will be done.