The Sponsons Thread

[klingon]

Build new ones-if and when the originals ever surface-fix em and glue em on!-simples!-by the left-quick march!

[redbaron1]

Not sure I can really add much to this debate (if its still running), but I can confirm the cockpit section of the Gnat was at Burrell Road around June/July '66 as I have a picture of me sitting in it! As I recall, it was in the yard to the right of Norris House (now occupied by another building), and was covered by a tarpaulin. I am pretty certain the reason the photo was taken was because we didnt have a flash camera, and therefore couldn't take a similar shot of me sitting in K7 as it was insufficient light/room in the shed.

[Terminator]

Indeed Hello Red Barron we would all love to see any pics you have regarding the Gnat aircraft being at Burrel road in 1966 and also anything you have taken after the crash as the sponsons returned down south after the accident. No matter how insignificant you may think they are please do enlighten us.

Novie
"I've Gone"

[f1steveuk]

It would certainly be of use Mr Baron!

[redbaron1]

Happy to oblige, obviously. What prompted my post was a coincidental business visit to Norris House the day before. I'm afraid I can't add anything to the post crash debate, as this was most definately taken when the boat was being modified, so have no knowledge about anything being moved back to or from Burrell Road, or anywhere else for that matter. The photo is currently in my parents' posession, but I'm visiting them tomorrow, so will liberate it and circulate next week.

[Terminator]

Hoping you have more than one photo but if that is what you have so be it . One photo is better than no photo's and thanks RedBarron for flagging this little gem up on the forum. Can't wait to see this or them little beauties

Novie
"I'll be Back"

[redbaron1]

Well Gentlemen, herewith the evidence requested. You might recognise the chap standing in the middle! I'm pretty certain the boat was in the shed in the background. (Is that a blue sponson just behind the open door?). Having now had a closer look, I always thought that the Gnat and the shed were along the rear most boundary of Norris House on the open land to the right, now occupied by another building. However, the railway embankment and raised parapet of the building in the background would suggest that they were on the left hand boundary of the offices as viewed from the back, with the chain link fence deliniating the boundary, now a ramp to the car park of the building next door. That would put the shed parallel to the road. I've attached a Google Earth grab of what I think the relative positions of the aircraft and shed would have been, but I stand to be corrected, as the ex Norris employees would presumably know. The chimney in the background appears to have gone. The Google Earth coordinates are:
Lattitude 51° 0'26.05"N
Longitute 0° 6'29.25"W
Mystery solved?

[redbaron1]

Chaps, I did post the photo last night, but I have not received email confirmation from the Moderator. Was it something I said?? Novie has sent me a private message but I can't reply as this facility isn't enabled. Let me know if there was a problem, and I will repost, but it is all sitting there on my control panel, so I assume it is just awaiting approval.

[Piston Broke]

Sorry redbarron1 Mike has been off line during his house move and I forgot it was down to me to approve posts and didn't see your post till tonight but now that you're above 3 posts no more waiting for approval and your pm should be active

[Renegadenemo]

Thanks for posting that - very much appreciated. So much info has come out of the woodwork these past few months and it all serves to tidy up a nearly forgotten backwater of history. Another snippet erring towards the story of gnat and sponsons heading for the smelter on the same lorry being correct. Not the dream scenario, admittedly. The shallow grave and someone to point it out would have been much better but I'd say that's extremely unlikely now.