Sunday 13 September 2009

You Can't Keep a Good Girl Down

I mentioned my enthusiasm for the Avro Vulcan before. Another member of Britain's Cold War 'V' force was the once futuristic looking Handley Page Victor bomber.

When an iconic aircraft is retired, there's not a lot you can do with it. At best, it is lovingly maintained by enthusiasts, so that it can occasionally be rolled out and taxied up the runway for the entertainment of the crowds.

Video footage has only just emerged of one such run in May this year. Through an accident of inappropriate throttle applied by an engineer, a Victor at Bruntingthorpe seized its chance to return to its natural element. The aircraft hadn't left the ground for two decades and was not airworthy in any technical or regulatory sense. As it veered towards a nearby housing estate in a strong cross-wind the driver, a surprised 70 year old former squadron commander named Bob Prothero, had to gain control whilst making a very rapid choice between attempting a go-round in an unmaintained aircraft, or attempt to put it down on the grass overrun at the end of the runway. He chose the latter and successfully landed it without damage, describing the incident as 'the worst nine seconds of my life'. Perhaps in recognition of his skill and quick-thinking, the Civil Aviation Authority has investigated and decided against any charges.

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for the reminders of the 'V' bombers...I used to see Vulcans overhead, but had forgotten the Victors.
    Well done surprised retired squadron commander!Training tells...and I'll bet he doesn't have Alzheimers. Perhaps we should all be put on flight simulators....

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  2. I don't 'do' this sort of thing but didn't want to not comment - oh look, a double negative. I've missed your lack of bloggery, so it is nice to see you back so soon after the poem (which was good)

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  3. Plenty of life in the old boy yet then. And the plane...

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  4. Ah, I bet he was dieing to take off though; he must have mustered all his professionalism to avoid succuming to that temptation.

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  5. Fly - He did do well. I like the simulator idea. Wonder if Tetris counts?

    Fancy - I guess you mean techie, boys' toys sort of stuff, in which case how wise. (I blame being traumatised in my pram by a military flypast in the Sudan for my sporadic addiction)

    Steve - I thought that too. Respect to both.

    Gadjo - I wonder. I'll bet there was a deep-seated urge to pull back on the stick, under the shock.

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  6. Cloudia - I like that; a spot-on observation.

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  7. I'd have been torn between wanting to land and wanting to fly off. But he's skilled and I'm glad the CAA saw sense. M. DeFarge's favourite plane - you've made him a happy chap (and aren't these RR engines too?)

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  8. Pity she won't be able to take flight any longer. Put her down for a lady taken out one last time by a sweet gentleman...

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  9. Every time I fly I am convinced that this is what is going to happen!!

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  10. I'm a Gloucester Meteor girl myself!

    But I agree with your sentiments BT.

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  11. so, where are y'all, sugar? xoxox

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  12. Madame DeF - Good for M DeFarge! And yes, I think they are.

    EV - What a nice way of putting it!

    Chimesey - Hear hear.

    Amanda - I get a nervous frisson too. But then, I do on ski lifts and ferris wheels too.

    Laura - I agree, the Meteor's great.

    Savvy - I'm still in blogging abeyance, and not quite sure why. Been distracted by my son's 'new' Triumph Herald, which is a demanding mistress. And the Allen Scythe which a kind neighbour donated, which is a recalcitrant one. I hope to be back soon.

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  13. Get back in here, please. Sod the Allen scythe.

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  14. Do come back soon. Machinery can only be interesting for so long.

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