Vigilants

[whitebear]

Apparently…a whole flock of the above seem to have arrived by road at Kemble. Have heard up to a dozen? They might be on Belfast near the 747. Cannot confirm as I have not seen them despite having been to AV8 today and driven past four or five times already!

Not my bag at all but some might be interested. No idea of the ids, I am afraid.

Graham

[zz]

I heard there were a dozen at St Athan.
Will be interesting to hear if these are the same or different aircraft…

[whitebear]

Hmm….I wonder. Will see what I can find out. Shall we say unsubstantiated rumour, ftb!

[whitebear]

Having passed Kemble again…there is certainly some activity on Belfast involving vehicles with glider carriages so I guess a bunch of Vigilants have indeed arrived.

GtW

[michael]

Certainly saw pictures of a large amount at St Athan between 2 VC-10 nose sections from this week.Apparently from the failed idea to convert them at Malmesbury for Aerobility

[zz]

Yes I’ve seen the pictures of St Athan and the RAF serials and the allocated G-CM registrations are listed below.
One of my last 3 Vigilants - ZH209 - was amongst them.


THIS IS THE LIST OF VIGILANTS OUTSIDE AT ST.ATHAN LAST WEEK.
Hopefully it is a different group of aircraft at Kemble.

(g-CMGD)/ZH115/TA Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

(G-CMGF)/ZH117/TC Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

(G-CMGJ)/ZH120/TF Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 27/02/24

(G-CMGL)/ZH122/TH Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

(G-CMGS)/ZH128/TP Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived by 05/21, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

(G-CMHG)/ZH190/ Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 27/02/24

(G-CMHM)/ZH196/ Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 27/02/24

(G-CMHT)/ZH208/ Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

(G-CMHU)/ZH209/ Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 27/02/24

(G-CMIA)/ZH249/ Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived by 05/21, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

(G-CMIC)/ZH264/UW Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

G-CMIH)/ZH269/SB Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24

(G-CMGI)/ZH278/SF Grob Vigilant T.1 ..arrived 2021/22, stored on Bro Tathan Business Park, to outside storage at SWAM 23/02/24



Credit to CardiffStathan Blogspot

cardiffstathan.blogspot.com/p/horizon-aircraft-services-formally.html?m=1

[davebasing]

In theory, of those which were previously stored at St Athan, this leaves only three unaccounted for - ZH186 (G-CMHB); ZH248 (G-CMHZ) & ZH267 (G-CMIF). However there remain a number of others unaccounted for (as far as I know) after their premature retirement due to the identified maintenance issues. At least one, ZK205 (G-CMIL), was at Membury where Aerobility had hoped to modify the majority of the 60 odd Tutors they had purchased, so more may actually be there. Two are known to be stored at Syerston for potential museum use (ZH185 & ZJ963) while ZH206 is seemingly in Germany.

[zz]

Yes the linked blog mentions those 3 at St. Athan as stored- but does not state moved to outside storage, which is why I didn’t include in the above list.

I assumed the unaccounted for Vigilants were at Membury or Little Rissington awaiting whatever work was required. It looks like they are all reappearing now that the Aerobility plan has fallen through.

I’ve been hoping ZJ963 that you mention, would be preserved at Syerston - that’s another of the 3 I need!

[graham]

I posted a request for info over on the FCG, I had several replies all of which suggested that they are all (15) still at St Athan. Someone posted a photo from there showing several Vigilants, the only visible serials were ZH208, ZH122, ZH269 and ZH120

Looking at my own show logs, the following have put in appearances here

ZH122 - RIAT 2017
ZH269 - CHIVENOR 1993
ZH278 - RIAT 2016
ZH190 - FAB 1990
ZH209 - FAB 1990
ZH196 - RIAT 1998
ZH249 - FAB 00
ZH264 - RIAT 00

[andover]

There is a posting (today 5th March 2024) on the Severnside email Group regarding some Grobs at Kemble.

It suggests that they (eleven of them counted and identities?) are visible from the Cirencester Road, just before the airfield entrance.

andover

[zz]

Mar 5, 2024 10:17:13 GMT graham said:

I posted a request for info over on the FCG, I had several replies all of which suggested that they are all (15) still at St Athan. Someone posted a photo from there showing several Vigilants, the only visible serials were ZH208, ZH122, ZH269 and ZH120

Looking at my own show logs, the following have put in appearances here

ZH122 - RIAT 2017
ZH269 - CHIVENOR 1993
ZH278 - RIAT 2016
ZH190 - FAB 1990
ZH209 - FAB 1990
ZH196 - RIAT 1998
ZH249 - FAB 00
ZH264 - RIAT 00

I’ve seen several photos of those at St Athan and most of the serials I listed above as being outside, can be read.

What I’m hoping is that these are a different set at Kemble - previously stored at perhaps Little Rissington….?

[whitebear]

At the moment, I have no idea about any of the Vigilant details. I will see if I can find out so I can post something useful on here. At the moment I do not even know how many have arrived..afaik all in glider carriages probably two car/carriage combos a time (two oairs seen through our village!)

Graham

[andover]

Mar 5, 2024 17:55:23 GMT andover said:

There is a posting (today 5th March 2024) on the Severnside email Group regarding some Grobs at Kemble.

It suggests that they (eleven of them counted and identities?) are visible from the Cirencester Road, just before the airfield entrance.

andover

The recent Kemble arrivals have come from Little Rissington.

[graham]

Thanks for the confirmation that they ARE at Kemble, odd that there's nothing over on the Kemble storage list to announce their arrival, seeing as the list was updated yesterday

[whitebear]

Update….I believe there were 18 there yesterday with probably2 more arriving by road today!

Some are visible behind the 146 fuselage by the 747 (in Belfast); others are behind the 747, spread about.

No idea of IDs. Imagine the tail codes/ glider codes (a complete mystery to me) might be visible.

Graham

[michael]

Mar 6, 2024 16:03:30 GMT andover said:

Mar 5, 2024 17:55:23 GMT andover said:

There is a posting (today 5th March 2024) on the Severnside email Group regarding some Grobs at Kemble.

It suggests that they (eleven of them counted and identities?) are visible from the Cirencester Road, just before the airfield entrance.

andover

The recent Kemble arrivals have come from Little Rissington.

Andover,

Can you confim is that approaching from the East (from Cirencester) or coming from the Tetbury direction ?

[zz]

Thanks Andover
I hope to have a look on Friday

[andover]

Mar 6, 2024 19:48:12 GMT michael said:

Mar 6, 2024 16:03:30 GMT andover said:

The recent Kemble arrivals have come from Little Rissington.

Andover,

Can you confim is that approaching from the East (from Cirencester) or coming from the Tetbury direction ?

Hi Michael

I am afraid I am unable to confirm which direction, hopefully all will be revealed soon.

Cheers
andover

[whitebear]

Further update….I believe the serial numbers have been painted out so all that remains to identify them is the ‘tail code letters’ . Will these be of any use to track them down? Forgive my ignorance.

GtW

[davebasing]

Mar 7, 2024 10:42:38 GMT whitebear said:

Further update….I believe the serial numbers have been painted out so all that remains to identify them is the ‘tail code letters’ . Will these be of any use to track them down? Forgive my ignorance.

GtW

Tail codes will do nicely thanks

[whitebear]

I will try to get them when my contact returns from a business trip.

G

[chrisj]

I have seen the reports on the severnside group pages , also a photo . The reports suggest that they are very difficult to see , let alone read off any codes . Also the 'What Three Words ' app is used to identify possible viewing locations which is great if you have the app . Is it possible for someone more local to give a description for viewing points for those not having the WTW app , please . Chrisj

[Jeff]

What are the what three words chris

[chrisj]

Jeff , What three words - the location app that used to be advertised often on TV . The locations for views given are :- pasta flaked sinkhole and unwind expiring testy . Also given are blocks sensibly ample and trickles leotard belt .
I worked it out by using a sat view , to be :- If driving anti clockwise around the airfield from the usual Lay-By op the Belfast apron , then one would go through the village , pass the rail station to the Tetbury road . About 200 mtrs or so before the airfield entry road there is a rough Lay-By . View point one but has large pot holes . Next as you turn onto the airfield entry road there should be a gate on your left and that is view point two but both need a fence behind the scrap area , to have fallen down . there is a photo on sevenside group which shows what can be seen . Chrisj

[Jeff]

Thx Chris

[chrisj]

Just had a look on fightercontrol and they seem to be in the dark about the Kemble Grobs , but do have a very good photo of some at Cardiff museum . Chrisj

[whitebear]

I have a few aerial photos of the Belfast apron taken Tuesday this week. The Grobs are difficult to see as they are roughly ‘piled up’ behind the port wing of the 747 and port tail. A few are around the back of the 146. Cant post a photo as I dont host mine anywhere! The ground vantage points mentioned are quite distant but some frames can be seen from photos I have looked at (not aware that these photos have been posted anywhere public).

The fields between the A433 and the back of Belfast do not have footpaths across them, afaik, and are actively farmed so I would not advise anyone to try trudging across them. There are quite a few regular pheasant shoots in and around these fields!

GtW

[graham]

The list for Kemble on www.airportspotting.com was updated yesterday but no mention at all of the Grobs

Demobbed has a list of tail codes should anyone be able to see them

www.demobbed.org.uk/aircraft.php?type=1167

[zz]

I visited yesterday. The Grobs could be seen (just) from the lay-by opposite the Belfast apron and also from the 2 points that Chris later described.
They are distant and piled up together, but viewing from both sides meant you could probably see them all.

Tails were difficult to see (couldn’t see them at all from the lay-by opposite) but 1 looked like code TV. If correct this would be ZH148 /G-CMGZ.
Another looked like SQ but I couldn’t see the very bottom of the code (the Q). There is no SO, so the only other option could have been SD.
If SQ was correct it would be ZZ192/G-CMHX.

But I await confirmation of what is there….


I also visited St.Athan. If anyone is planning on going, DM me …

[zz]

Mar 5, 2024 10:17:13 GMT graham said:

I

Looking at my own show logs, the following have put in appearances here

ZH209 - FAB 1990

Hi Graham

ZH209 at Farnborough 1990 was a Shorts Tucano for the Kenyan AF.


There were about half a dozen ZH2xx serials that were used twice- for Tucanos and Vigilants!

abpic.co.uk/pictures/view/1227448