The Vickers 618 Nene Viking was the first real (i.e. without auxiliary piston engines) jet airliner/transport aircraft in the world. Chief test pilot J 'Mutt' Summers first flew it from Wisley on April 6, 1948. At different times the Type 618 bore civil registration G-AJPH or RAF serial VX856. It was used for test flights until sold to Eagle Aircraft Services in December 1953 and converted to a Viking Mk.1B freighter with Hercules piston engines and a large loading door. Put into service as 'Lord Dundonald' on September 24, 1954.
The Tudor 8 VX195 initially was the second prototype Tudor 1 G-AGST modified as Tudor 4. Later it was equipped with four Rolls-Royce Nene 4 turbojets in paired nacelles. The first British four-jet airliner/transport aircraft to fly, it took off from Woodford on September 6, 1948 with J.H. Orrell at the controls and conducted trials during which it reached a maximum speed of 385 mph. Later the Tudor 8 was used for high-altitude tests at Boscombe Down and RAE Farnborough and was subsequently dismantled at Farnborough in 1951. The fuselage donated to Teddington Controls Ltd as a static testbed.
Looking above the hangers at Warminster Naval Air Station, or Johnsville Naval Air Station.
A Curtiss Sb2c painted in yellow of the Naval Air Station paint scheme on the tarmac at Naval Air Station Warminster.
A PB4Y B-24 on the Tarmac at Naval Air Station Warminster.
That had one BIG A$$ed tire. I'm 6'3" and it's about near my big. Had to change it out for a four wheel boggy to reduce ground pressure. Even tried a track system which woke up the neighbors (in the next state).
That had one BIG A$$ed tire. I'm 6'3" and it's about near my big. Had to change it out for a four wheel boggy to reduce ground pressure. Even tried a track system which woke up the neighbors (in the next state).