Vimy Alert!

A full-sized replica of a Vickers Vimy will be flying from California to the EAA fly-in at Oshkosh, WI this month. It will be making stops at airports in CA, AZ, NM, TX, KS, and IA along the way.

This is the same Vimy that appeared in National Geographic magazine when recreating the historic London-to-Cape Town and England to Australia flights. They plan on doing the 1919 Trans-Atlantic Alcock-Brown flight next year.

For more information, go to: www.vimy.org

Dean

[stephen]

VANITY ALERT.

David Lee at Speedvision television network called me this afternoon and asked me if I would host their coverage of Oshkosh this year. Unfortunately, I am already committed to three other shows that week, but Speedvision is trying to make arrangements to get me there and back in time to fulfill all my obligations to other programs. I'll keep ya posted. I'd love to do it and I'd LOVE to see the Vimy!

Please excuse the blatent vanity. Just thought some of my forumite pals might wanna know.

Dean:
By any chance is the Vimy coming fur-
ther east? Perhaps landing at historic
Teterboro Airport here in New Jersey. I
read the story of their preparation and
at times frightening flight across the
Atlantic in Time-Life book, "The Path-
finders." Sure would like to get a few
pictures of it if it touches down at
Teterboro Airport.

Well, that does it! Money or no money, I'm going to do my annual pilgrimage to Oshkosh, darnit! Seriously, I put in for the vacation time today. I will go on credit!

We expect the Vimy here at Flabob Airport- in Riverside, Calif.- next Sunday the 15th. They were due here a year ago, but reduction gear problems kept it grounded. For the program last year I'd invited "The Daughters of the British Empire" (in period dress!)- a bagpiper- ("Rule Britannia"!)- and some vintage Rolls owners to come by. (BTW: the '26 Rolls of Jack Dempsey is here locally in a private collection). A large bronze statue of Charles Eaves' "Ecstasy", aka, "The Flying Lady" "mascot" of Rolls-Royce fame, is in the possession of the "Wathen Foundation" (owners of Flabob) and it would make a terrific centerpiece for the reception which is planned for Sunday.
I've had activities underway which pretty much precluded me from the organizational program this year. Hopefully the Foundations PR department has kept last years tentative program in mind. I especially hope the bagpiper and the DBE have been invited. I think I'll give Chuck Wentworth a call and see if there is any possibility that he and Javier might bring something down from Paso Robles: wouldn't it be terrific to see the SE5a accompanying the Vickers in flight?
The "Vimy" will be here around 12:30 on Sunday and depart Monday at mid-morning.. A barbeque etc. is planned by EAA Chapters 1 and 33- it should be an outstanding affair....get by if you can! Lee

Are the Forumites aware that Ross Smith's original Vimy, G-EAOU, is resident at Adelaide Airport here 'downunder'.

After his England to Australia trip it was donated by Vickers to the Australian Government and put on display at the Australian War Memorial. I assume as it had no connection to Australians at war it was removed from the AWM and eventually put on display in a special glass hangar in Adelaide.

Mind you, it would be nice to see a large biplane bomber trundling around the skies!

[stephen]

Got the call this afternoon and its a done deal. I'll try to make sure the Vimy and the WWI squadron get some TV time! Shows will air on Speedvision television network on Weds the 25th, and Sat and Sun the 29th and 30th of July. Dunno the time; depends on your time zone.

How facinating, my grandfather Stanley Cockerell was in the London-Cape Town race. Stanley Cockerell junior, my father is also a pilot but he lost his father after The Blitz in London,and was orphaned at 9 yrs of age.