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Save the skymaster' project

Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2018 3:22 pm
by andygolfer
the project to restore the c.54 skymaster which has been a long time resident at North Weald now has a website:

https://www.savetheskymaster.org/

we had an interesting talk about this project at the September Air-Britain Stansted branch meeting and the aircraft is open for visitors most weekends.

andy

Re: Save the skymaster' project

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:43 pm
by Martin
It's a shame that this aircraft has allowed to get into this state, wasn't originally flown into North Weald to star in a film which wasn't then made?

Was it sold to the film studio who then left it to rot?

Martin

Re: Save the skymaster' project

Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2018 6:55 am
by andygolfer
That's about the gist of it Martin, 2 flew in (late '90s from memory) to make a film about the Berlin airlift but the project was abandoned and the same happened to the aircraft.

One was broken up a few years ago but this one remained and the restoration team have now taken it over for their project.

Re: Save the skymaster' project

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2018 3:36 pm
by Martin
Thanks for the info, I thought there was two but assumed the other had managed to escape, it's a shame to hear it was scrapped

Martin

Re: Save the skymaster' project

Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2018 1:10 pm
by bizfreeq
The forward fuselage of the other one (actually a DC-4 rather than a C-54) survived and is at the RAF Burtonwood Heritage Centre

Re: Save the skymaster' project

Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2019 6:19 am
by andygolfer
It seems the project at North Weald has hit a severe problem with the co owner. This post has appeared on FB overnight:

Supporters and followers we need your help urgently! After 18 months of hard work by our volunteers the owner of the C-54 Skymaster at North Weald has decided to pull the plug on the whole project ! He technically is a co owner of the aircraft but had gifted it to the Trust with a view of returning it back to flight. The ideal situation is to secure the aircraft and relieving Mr Hyde of any ownership to allow the Trust to fund raise and gain investment in the project. There will be an opportunity to discussing this on Saturday morning 10am and see if we can come to an amicable agreement with Mr Hyde to Save this aircraft. Sadly this is all about money in all ways. We need money to do IRAN on all engines, we need money to pay engineers to make the necessary repairs. Mr Hyde wants money and we need to find it fast or this historic aircraft will meet its fate.

original link for those on FB: https://www.facebook.com/savetheskymast ... cpIlY0VG-0

this is also the content of an e-mail send out yesterday to the e-mail subscribers:
Hello everyone. This is Henry Hyde the owner of the C54. At North Weald.

I have been informed by Mr Alan Smith ONLY ( no one had the decency to tell me) that there are a group of people that are scheduled to come to see the aircraft today. THE SITE IS CLOSED.
This is not going to happen as there is no public liability insurance in place on the site. North Weald Aviation who own the site have stoped all work on the site until further notice.
I will not be responsible for any injury or accident to any person or for any other reason.
The site is now closed to all except myself and Alan Smith.


I don't know more than that I'm afraid so can't add anything
Andy

Re: Save the skymaster' project

Posted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 8:55 am
by andygolfer
it's got a bit hotter overnight- this e-mail came out this morning to the mailing list....

Right Mr VogelI, I have been reading the unbelievable comments and lies on Facebook that you have given to these people who have been conned into working on the DC4 just as you have conned me into allowing you to do it.
The thing that is getting me most is the lie that you have banded about that I wish to scrap the old girl.
I WILL NEVER SCRAP HER.
I could have done that years ago even before you came along with your lies and your con.
It was I , not you, that had the passion to save her from the scrap yard.
You have only used this project for your own ends. What is stored in the "so called " Yellow workshop that has been placed there as a workshop for the Aircraft ? , and what is stored in the 20ft container? Absolutely nothing that is to do with the aircraft or the project!! Did you ask anyone , or inform me , as Chairman and owner of the project if you could place your goods on the C54 site ?? Are you paying any rent for either of those to the C54 Project? You are using my site as a convenient store for your own Company's goods.
You have told the group that your Solicitor is one of the group and as trustee he will fight me to keep the aircraft WHOLE!!!. No fighting needed , it ain't going no where. But, If you want a fight , my Lawyers are:
Mr C Jones.
ASHFORDS.
1 New fetter lane.
London.
Don't forget to get the funding for a long fight.
Don't forget you still owe me for the Laos con, whereby you told me all the lies that flew you there to see your friends at my expense. !
Think on sonny.



OUCH! I don't see much chance for the project continuing with this breakdown of relationship.

Andy