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Project Updates Much is new in "Vimy world" March 2005 The Vimy Flies Again! October 2004 The Engines Have Been Mounted May 2004 Vimy Atlantic Crossing Update April 2004 Clifden, Ireland Visitors September 2003 New Propellers July 2003 Vimy Atlantic Crossing delayed March 2003 July through November Project Update 30-Nov-01 Vimy to be Heard in Star Wars 15-Nov-01 Vimy Grounded by BMW 18-July-01 Vimy Stops in Mesa, AZ for Maintenance 17-July-01 A Visit to the Vimy 10-Jun-01

Vimy Update — March 2003 ‘VIMY ATLANTIC’ CROSSING – DELAYED The planned re-creation of the June 14, 1919 Alcock & Brown Vimy flight, the true ‘first’ transatlantic crossing, from St. Johns, Newfoundland to Cliffden, Galway, Ireland, has regretfully been officially postponed until June 2004. The Vimy group had hoped to, and has made a Herculean effort to, attempt the transatlantic flight in 2003 to coincide with the 100th Anniversary of flight. The current depressed economy and the increasing portent of war in the middle east has made it impossible to secure adequate corporate and economic sponsorship. Cross Canada Tour Phase One: Fly the Vimy from California to St. John’s Newfoundland in the Summer of 2003 and prepare for Phase Two. Phase Two: Undertake transatlantic flight in June 2004, tour Ireland and England and then the Farnborough Airshow. Newfoundland With the help of our new partners and friends in Newfoundland, Roger Pike and his colleagues, the Vimy group is beginning preparations and fundraising for a mid summer 2003 Cross Canada tour from Victoria British Columbia to St. John’s Newfoundland. The ‘Vimy’ was named after a major battle in the First World War at Vimy Ridge, in which Canada played a significant and painful role. The ‘Vimy’, we believe, will be a superb goodwill ambassador and should generate significant interest and involvement from the Canadians for this historically significant project. With a successful arrival in St. John’s, hopefully by late summer early fall 2003. Roger Pike has offered to provide overwinter hangerage and support in Newfoundland while we all collectively ready the Vimy for her transatlantic attempt in June 2004. Possible US Stops The Vimy hopes to make US stops in Seattle, Oshkosh and Chicago for Airshows, which will be aimed at generating Canadian (and U.S.) support for the Vimy Transatlantic 2004 flight attempt. Preparation for the Trans-Atlantic flight This will require modification to the Vimy to provide sufficient fuel and range to accomplish this 1700 mile over water journey. Roger’s ‘Air Labrador’ team and his associates in the Newfoundland Aircraft community will obviously be extremely helpful in this regard. Having the Vimy overwinter in Newfoundland will greatly simplify the staging issues for the transatlantic flight and enhance our chances of a successful flight. Unlike the Australian and Africa Vimy trips, the transatlantic flight is very clear – once airborne, the Vimy either gets there or it doesn’t. There is nowhere to stop along the way! Ireland and beyond Once arrived in Ireland, the plans are to make a celebratory tour of Ireland and England, with, should the timing work out, a triumphant appearance at the 2004 Farnborough Airshow. Subsequent to the summer celebrations in Ireland and England, the plan is to find the Vimy a permanent home – a home which will and can house the Vimy so others, for years to come, can come and gaze upon this magical plane which has such an epochal history and which has continued to thrill all who come across her, young and old alike. Onward and upwards!

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