Vimy Update — September
2003
News Bulletin:
September 8, 2003
Clifden, Ireland visitors
Pat Mannion, Seamus Burke and Michael Prendergast, together with Vimy's
Peter McMillan and John LaNoue....and The Vimy!
The San Francisco contingent of the Vimy group enjoyed
a three day visit from three representatives from the town of Clifden,
Ireland, to express their support and willingness to participate in the
planned and hoped for re-enactment flight of the Alcock & Brown 1919
first non-stop transatlantic flight! This flight, from Newfoundland to
Ireland, the two closest points between North America and Europe land,
landed somewhat roughly but successfully adjacent to Marconi's first historic
wireless station at Clifden. The first transatlantic wireless signal was
also received at Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland in 1903. Two
historic events presaging vast global changes, both occurring between
two small but critically important and historic communities - truly hands
across the ocean.
In addition, of not insignificant import, is the large role the Irish
have played in the development of Newfoundland from 1500 A.D. onwards.
The three Clifden representatives, Michael Prendergast, Seamus Burke and
Pat Mannion, were hosted by the Vimy projects principal founder and continued
leader and benefactor, Peter McMillan as well as John LaNoue, the projects
Chief Engineer from its inception, as well as other committed volunteers.
The group toured the Vimy hangar to view John LaNoue's now rapid progress
in installing the new Orenda engines on the Vimy.
With luck (and the usual plethora of Vimy miracles) John
hopes to have the Vimy flying again by early May 2004. Mark Rebholtz,
the Vimy group's Chief Pilot, will then put the new engines through their
test paces, readying the plane for the first of a series of fund raising
activities in anticipation of a early summer 2004 attempt at repositioning
the Vimy to St. John's, Newfoundland. Weather and funding permitting,
the attempt at the Alcock and Brown Transatlantic re-creation flight will
occur in early summer 2005.
Our enthusiastic new ‘Vimy’ members from Clifden are being
introduced to Roger Pike and his Vimy group from Newfoundland so we all
can make this third and most historic flight of the Vimy possible.
Welcome Clifden, Ireland!
Anyone wishing to learn more about our friends in Clifden
can now link from the Vimy Site to the Clifden,
Ireland Website
Similarily, you may link to St.
John's, Newfoundland.
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