Bristol Britannia XM496

[Proteus]

Hello from the Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society. We're a stand alone group and do what it says on the tin, at least we try to. XM496 returned to this country in October 1997 and made its final landing at Kemble, now Cotswold Airport, where it is parked. Our group took over management in June 2005 and in July 2009 496 moved to its present permanent site.

We have returned 496 to its original RAF Transport Command livery. Inside the layout is a fairly typical PCF (passenger cum freight) layout. The seats, which of course face rearwards, are original. The galley has been recreated in wood, we found that a VC10 one could not be adapted and it has gone elsewhere.

As well as pax and freight, the Britannia also carried out casualty/medical evacuations. As well as walking cases, up to 15 or so stretchers would be carried normally, although up to 53 could be carried if circumstances required. A medical team of up to six would also be carried.

In the run up to the withdrawal from Aden when it became to dangerous for families,in those days of course most overseas postings were accompanied, i.e. personal had their families with them, there was at least one special flight to evacuate service wives who were pregnant. The flight had a team of midwives on board, but as far as we know they were not called upon to make any deliveries. Termed "Stork Flights", there was a similar one when we were asked to leave Malta.

We want to put in a bank of stretchers but are having difficulty. If anybody knows of any stretchers of the period that are looking for a good home, please let us know. We would also love to find mountings for them.

I will post some pictures, past and present, at the moment I'm still working out how to do it but am wondering if the problem is with my computer.

[RLN]

Welcome aboard, Proteus. Try this link for help with posting photos.

http://www.iconicaircraft.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4798

Looking forward to seeing them.

[Xplumberlives]

Nice to have you with us Proteus, looking forward to some pictures!

[Jigsaw]

Welcome aboard

[Lucas1860]

Hello, welcome.

Jim.

[Mayfly]

Welcome to IA - hope you soon work out how to post photos.

[MOD]

Welcome Proteus. We just love photo reports on here.


ibw

[Gaz]

This should be an interesting thread!!

Love the Brit!!

[Sooty655]

Welcome aboard, Proteus.

Are your namesakes on XM496 runable?

[Blue_2]

Welcome! It'll be nice to see updates on the Brit

[RLN]

Hello,

Think I'm getting there, thanks for the guidance.



This is from a layby on the Cirencester to Tetbury road.
The Hunter is no longer there.


Closing up at the end of the day.






If our "office" seems familiar to any Buccaneer people.........










Nose wheel change.

[MOD]

Good to see you here guys. (eventually)

Photo reports are what this topic is all about. Thanks to Eric and the team there at Kemble.

BTW superb photos .... Proteus To quote that 'well known phrase or saying' ... keep 'em coming..


Mod

[Blue_2]

She looks fantastic!


More please...

[RLN]

I knew it would be worth waiting for.

[Jigsaw]

Apparantly, we flew back from Singapore in a Britannia in 1965 when my dad was posted to Cosford (or Stradishall) I can't remember it myself though

Great shots mate, more are always welcome

[Jet Morgan]

Hi Proteus, welcome to the forum! Fantastic photos, thanks for sharing...

[Sploosher]

Love the pics, thanks for sharing..............

I remember flying back from Cyprus in the early 70`s in one of these beauties.............

[Proteus]

Not the sort of news one wants to see here, but I expect that most will have heard the news that a Bronco crashed at Kemble (Cotswold Airport) and caught fire on 10th July. The pilot was rescued by Kemble Fire Section and taken to Frenchay Hospital with burns.

What has not been as widely reported is that the pilot, Tony De Bruyn, was one of pilots who flew XM496 back from South Africa to Kemble. He is also one of our Society Vice-Presidents. We have been shocked and saddened by the news.

I know that, like us at 496, you all will want to wish him and his family all the best for a good recovery.

[MOD]

Hear hear Proteus. We all hope he makes a full recovery.

Our thoughts are with the de Bruyn family and all his friends.

Thanks for the update.

ibw

[Jigsaw]

Thanks for the update. Obviously my thoughts and best wishes to Tony and his family as well. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

[Xplumberlives]

Yes it was a great shame, hopefully Tony will make a speedy recovery!

[Ducati Boy]

I love the old Brit, first big aeroplane I ever marshalled . It seemed massive to me at the time, I was fresh out of training. lucky enought to transit the Indian ocean several times in a Brit always thought it a very smooth ride.