Varsity WF410

Atlantic1 · #1 3rd March 2006, 23:33

Hi all,

Does anyone have any information on the current condition of Varstiy's WF410 at Bristol Lulsgate, and WF408 at East Grinstead? If anyone has any photos that would be a big help too.

Thanks in advance,

Tom.

DaveF68 · #2 4th March 2006, 00:06

WF410 was scrapped some time in the last two years I think - can't remember when, but it was there one trip to BRS and gone the next.

RPSmith · #3 4th March 2006, 00:11

JAGx204 posted this on another forum a couple of days ago - hope he doesn't mind me transferring it.

"Barry, last time I looked WF408 was still at Sabrewatch headquarters East Grinstead, although I believe they are looking to dispose of it, preferably to a good home."

Roger Smith

halifax3 · #4 4th March 2006, 00:26

Here is a picture (if it works) of WF410 at Bristol Lulsgate (International) taken back in 1996.

Ant Harrington · #5 4th March 2006, 03:19

WF410 and the Trident 2E, G-AVFM, were both scrapped in 2004. The Trident's cockpit section was saved, but the Varsity was scrapped entirely. Looking at the picture of both in the most recent Wrecks & Relics it's not hard to understand why nothing of the Varsity was saved.

Atlantic1 · #6 4th March 2006, 09:07

Thanks for the replies and information guys!

Am I right in believing that WF408 has no tail fin, and possibly no engines either?

Tom.

Will J · #7 4th March 2006, 09:41

I think it might just be a fuselage, and judging by the state it left Cosford in it will need some TLC by now, I reckon it is the only Varsity left with the blunt (radar?) nose, certainly well worth saving!

wildcat · #8 4th March 2006, 11:07

I remember ‘408’ at Cosford where it was maintained and restored by a bunch of volunteers. At their own expense they replaced a lot of interior parts as well as lavishing tlc on the exterior . They were gutted when the museum decided to replace it. If memory serves me well I believe it went originally to Northolt dump

lucasl · #9 11th July 2007, 10:49

Hey just found this thread, WF408 is still around in one peice. It is at Sabrewatch security in East Grinstead, the tail plane is missing I have no idea why it was removed or where it is, if anyone knows where it is it would be nice to reunite the two. The interior has been stripped we still have all the seats tho. Both Bristols are still attached, If anyone has any information about WF408 I would be interested to hear. If there is anything else you want me to check on the aircraft or any pics just ask.

I have been given the task by my dad to sell the aircraft allthough he did ask me to find the scrap value! It would be a great shame to scrap it though. So go measure your garden to see if it will fit lol.

Peter · #10 11th July 2007, 13:53

If it is going for scrap, any chance of getting the two antennas from the nose?

FLY.BUY · #11 11th July 2007, 19:18

I hope someone manages to save this lovely aircraft, in the terrible event that it is disposed of, I wouldn't mind purchasing both the seats. (Hopefully someone may even try to save the cockpit at least!)

Lindy's Lad · #12 11th July 2007, 23:13

Is the helecopter (whirlwind?) still at the site? Is it for sale too? PM me

David Burke · #13 11th July 2007, 23:50

The helicopter you mean is the former RN HAS.3 which has been at Bournemouth Aviation Museum for about two years.

Lindy's Lad · #14 12th July 2007, 00:01

damn Google Earth - out of date as usual.....

eitherway, PM me regarding the varsity please lucasl

neil996 · #15 12th July 2007, 14:31

Hi

Ive been onto the chaps at the North East Aircraft museum who are interested and would like to know some details any chance you can send me a private message with a number i can ring for a chat about it?

cheers

lucasl · #16 20th July 2007, 12:09

Well ive had a few pms and I gave my no but no calls as of yet. You can contact me on 01342 870811, ask for luke jnr about the aircraft if im not there leave a message and I will call back.

As of value im not sure, I know the engines and the props are worth something, I hate to say it but the alloy is worth something for scrap.

I was thinking of advertising it on a aircraft sales website, does anyone know of a good one, thanks.

David Burke · #17 20th July 2007, 16:22

Luke - this is the best website to advertise an aircraft such as the Varsity.
It's not vastly valuable and scrap men tend to be a little wary of aircraft scrap. Be a little patient and someone will come up with a good use for her!.

Lindy's Lad · #18 20th July 2007, 17:29

NEAM are considering her, but its unlikely so far to be fair. Too far away, not complete, and we have no where to put her! We don't want a repeat of the Valleta incident, and can't afford any new aircraft which need work. Sorry.

I hope someone can save her, as she is worth it.

zTango · #19 8th August 2007, 16:00

bump.. its on ebay now.. i'll have a pop at bidding on it if someone has a place for it.. lets try to save this bird!!

Ballykellybrat · #20 8th August 2007, 19:12

'408 is an old friend of mine from the mid-1960's. With WL641 they were from No 1 Radio School RAF Locking but based down the road at Weston super Mare. Both were heavily modified and had many of the electronic goodies found on front line aircraft e.g. ASV21 radar in the nose. The aircraft used to take radio apprentices & show them what all the electronic kit did in the air.I have about 50 hours in '408 - my dad was one of the pilots - so it was don the ATC uniform & fly with my old man in the summer holidays! The Varsity Flight moved to Cosford in about 1967 where they acquired pale blue spinners.
The flight was something of a private flying club and I'm banned from repeating all the stories - but '408 did once carry a goat as a passenger. Happy days - can't imagine fun and games in todays cash strapped air force.

wieesso · #21 8th August 2007, 19:44

1987
http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Viking%20Photographs.htm
1989
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0543422/L/

http://www.demobbed.org.uk/images/wf408.jpg

http://www.landair.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/wfu.htm

Martin

Papa Lima · #22 8th August 2007, 19:56

Ballykellybrat - that was a blast from the past - as an Aircraft Apprentice at RAF Locking I must have flown in one of those two! Perhaps piloted by your father!
Two things I will never forget were:
1. A "dive-bombing" attack on Lundy(?) island in the Bristol Channel, and
2. A touch-and-go at Yeovilton.
In both cases we were standing behind the pilots - no such thing as safety belts and in the pull-up from the "dive-bombing attack" we all sank to our knees with the "tremendous" G force - probably about 2G only, but it was for us sprogs our first taste of G.
Another aircraft at Weston that we flew in was a "birdcage" Anson, I remember.
Those were the days! (93rd Entry, 1959-1962)

exmpa · #23 8th August 2007, 21:02

I have just had a quick glance at an old logbook and find that I flew WF410 twice at Gaydon in 1968. It was the first aircraft I flew after arriving on the unit, on 20 November 1968 and I flew it again on 9 December that year. It makes no further appearance in my logbook, either at Gaydon, Topcliffe or Finningley some years later.

exmpa

XM692 · #24 15th August 2007, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Vendor

On 14-Aug-07 at 17:37:13 BST, seller added the following information:

THE PLANE HAS SOLD DO NOT BID

Did it go to a good home ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vickers-Varsit...QQcmdZViewItem

Consul · #25 27th August 2007, 21:09

According to a message on Air Britain Information Exchange, this Varsity was espied today dismantled (minus cockpit) at Booker. It was reported to be in transit , moving tomorrow to a location near to Leicester for scrap and that the cockpit is still at East Grinstead - if so possibly that element is due for preservation. If all is correctly reported then it's a shame more could not be preserved - perhaps its condition and/or lack of tail surfaces might have sealed its fate.