Rocket Assisted Take-off





Victor spectre rocket assisted take-off test flight

'Never Again' Victory!

So, many weeks, copious amounts of sanding paper, litres of paint and untold amounts of elbow grease later, I am pleased to announce Lusty Lindy is better than new in her new hemp coat.

XL231 'better than new!'

There have been a few casualties along the way - I've lost count of the number of sanders that have 'bit the dust' - they really were tested to destruction!

To celebrate the end of 'Never Again' my trusty boots have gone out with a bang, they have been with me every step of the way but the end is nigh! Christine put her pyro qualifications into action and the team gathered to see the boots off in style - the result was pretty impressive!

The end is nigh!

The left boot!

The right boot!

So what are we going to do with all our free time now??????? Well the on going maintenance continues and we will keep you posted but in the meantime I'm looking forward to not obsessing about the weather and not having to see another sander for a long time!

Look out for our next blog post which will be a re-paint in detail special but first a hot bath beckons!

'Never Again' part 7

So with the sanding finished - I'm sure you heard the cheers wherever you are - painting and fine detail are the priorities.

We are racing against time and weather but I am please to announce the end is in sight, 1 more good day should see all the hemp and detailing finished - hurrah!


 
Focus turned to the nose - a real visual impact I hope you will agree. After painting the refueling probe last weekend we had to leave the red blank off to allow the paint time to go off, I returned the following day to carry on with the repaint to find that a 'Vulture' had decided to make the most of the 'unarmed' probe and %$£@ down the front of Lindy's nose - not amused! So after re-defending and cleaning the old gal up work could commence once more

Work continues............

What an improvement!

 With the starboard side of the nose finished, I turned the rollers to the port side -  XL231 really is looking better than ever even if she was without her name sake 'Lusty Lindy'.

XL231 without 'Lusty Lindy' nose art

It really is strange seeing her without her famous nose art, having carried it for almost 20 years it really is an important part of her history

But dont worry she had her identity back shortly......... To preserve her iconic nose art Ian had spent a long time masking 'Lusty Lindy' up. This enable us to get a really good finish on the hemp but preserve the original nose art.

XL231 'Lusty Lindy' masked up ready for painting

XL231 'Naked'!



'Lusty Lindy' 'Unveiled' following the repaint

I hope you will all agree that 'Lusty Lindy' really is looking her best and despite me saying 'Never Again......' after the last repaint the hard work really has been worth it.

Movember

Movember the month formally known as November, will see the Victor Team do their best impressions of Freddie Mercury, Charlie Chaplin and Tom Selleck by 'attempting' to grow beards and moustaches for charity!

We have chosen to support Macmillan Cancer Support due to the ongoing personal circumstances of a member of the team.

The Team: Andre, Ian, Graham, Rich, Ollie and Brian

Why sponsor the Team? One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer, and it's the toughest thing most of us will ever face. Macmillan are the nurses and therapists helping you through treatment. The experts on the end of the phone. The advisers telling you which benefits you're entitled to. The volunteers giving you a hand with the everyday things. The campaigners pushing for better cancer care. The community supporting you, any time. The fundraisers who make it all possible......

 

All monies raised will be split equally between Macmillan Cancer Support and XL231 for her winter maintenance.

 

Please support the team and donate now.

 

We will be adding photos to the blog and twitter to show how the teams efforts progress and will add a graph showing how much has been raised.

 

Please drop us a line if you would like to join the teams fundraising activities.


Meet the Team!

 

This is where you will usually find Brian - at the controls of the tug! After serving his time on Vulcan's in the RAF he really is V-Force all the way through. On leaving the RAF Brian rebelled and banished the razor to the back of the cupboard. But 40 years on and a hectic summer of sanding Brian has stepped up to the mark and shaved his beard off - much to the annoyance of his wife!

Brian with beard!



We think Brian looks 10 years younger but Brian is more concerned about his chin getting cold! My 'designer' stubble is coming on and Brian is trying to convience me that a beard isn't just for Movember!

1 week in - Brian clean shaven for 1st time in 40 years!



Rich is going for his 3rd stripe!



Ian trying to give me a run for money on designer stubble!

So one week in and progress is going well. Fundraising has topped £200 but we are not stopping yet please support the team and the great charity Macmillan Cancer Support and make a donation using the link at the top of the page.

 

Almost 3 weeks down and we are starting to look a motley bunch!

Rich, Ian, Andre and Graham

Fundraising is going well but every penny counts so please donate anything you can spare. We must add that Flt Lt Suckling has failed on his bid for Movember, so will be paying the fine!

Thank you