Vagabond’s final journey - 800 miles
On 21st April 2023 an intrepid team of trustees and volunteers descended on Bad Voslau to disassemble G-AGRW ready for her final journey. Check out our gallery here.
STEP 1 - GET HER ON SOLID GROUND
With thanks to the crew at the Austrian Aviation Museum, Flugplatz Wien-Vöslau, and the Vienna International Airport Fire Brigade for this!
STEP 2 - TAKE HER TO BITS
Our trustee Pat, and his colleague Rich from RPM Aviation led the team of volunteers. The engines had to come off first, followed by the outer wings and the landing gear sections. Then the inner stub wings came off leaving just the fuselage. The rear horizontal stabilisers also had to be removed. The tail had already been “removed” by a storm some time ago!
STEP 3 - STRIP THE INSIDES
The aircraft had previously been used as a McDonald’s restaurant. All of the chipboard and wool insulation had to be removed anyway, and it made sense to do this before she came back. The team set to work removing all traces of McDonalds, including years worth of wrappers, straws, and cups. Some wildlife had used it for refuge at one point, so traces of them were also removed. The tail cone had to come off to shorten the fuselage for transport, and this also made removing the large AC unit fitted by McDonalds easier.
STEP 4 - GET HER LOADED
Our friends at Hawkins Logistics helped us with the journey, sending two low loaders and a curtain sided truck. It was a tight squeeze but we got all the bits on, strapped, down, and on their way!
STEP 5 - HER ARRIVAL HOME
Tuesday 2nd May was a historic day at Blackbushe as our Vickers Viking G-AGRW ‘Vagabond’ finally returned home, completing a 950 mile journey from Bad Voslau, Austria. The two lorries carrying her wings, engines, nacelles and tail plane arrived first around 0600hrs. These were followed by the low loader carrying her fuselage which arrived through the gates of the airport around 1120hrs. The three lorries and support vehicles gathered for a procession along the runway whilst air operations were temporarily halted. She received the traditional water cannon salute from the airport fire service and was warmly welcomed by a crowd of supporters!
