@JfromJAGs I cannot disagree with your view in any way, thanks for explaining. I suspect I was feeling that its all falling apart and I would stop watching the restore videos (and all the other entertainment BBP supply in buckets) and try and forget K7. The support from the 'public' does overwhelmingly support the BBP and think the RM's position is totally selfish and self defeating. The RM cant keep the memory of DC and K7 going without some passion as well as engineering skills, technical knowledge and 20 odd years of first hand experience - all of which they have none. @Renegadenemo is most reassuring in that it would be relatively straightforward to build a replica but he and the BBP just dont want to do it for the most honourable reasons - they want the original to live and breathe fire! As he says "We didn't move heaven and earth to... etc" I am again hopeful that BBP 'can run and maintain' whilst they 'dont do the custodian bit' as they posted. Whatever happens I know that our big blue tin lobster and DC himself would hate it amongst the pressed flowers, toy houses and fairies of the Ruskin. I would never visit it again. The RM haven't a cat in hells chance of ever building it nor running it - even the trolls know this is true.

Now I am not feeling optimistic. I sounds as though BBP would accept they have completed their restoration and are preparing to sadly accept gifting K7 to the RM. If K7 ever runs it will be under new control and BBP will be history. The BBP will be the cause of any problems whether it runs or not. The reputation of the BBP and its volunteers will be for ever trashed. If you accept this sorry state then you cannot do any work on the 'arse end' nor test the engines in-situ - you cannot even post a picture or open the garage door! This is so sad. It may seem a hard decision to make but maybe you should close the doors now. Now the doors are closed lets get 2 new spars made and whilst those are being fabricated behind close doors get to work on that fuselage - strip out every 'original fabric' and replace with new material. In this way you can make a reasonable and fair decision as to what you keep and what gets sent to the museum. Ownership suddenly has no importance as its a pile of parts - one in the NE is partly assembled and making a noise and preparing for launch and the other... well, whatever the RM feels it can manage! If the nose has small inbuilt original material then keep it - but be fair and offer them the engine cover complete - alternatively get the cutters out. They dont want to discuss dismantling so its down to you! They have no access to the workshop to see what is being done! Meanwhile the pile for collection will be growing and the new K7 will remain largely intact. I would wholeheartedly support any BluebirdK7 (replica if you insist - call it what you like) living and roaring on the water. Most would just want to see a K7 on the water as she was built rather that a dusty and dead relic in a dark little museum with a note that says 'The Bluebird Project is the reason you will never see this machine on the water' The museum gets its bits, BBP gets to do its calling (maintaining and running K7 with pride) - whats not to like? Now I am feeling more optimistic :)

I see the argument against moderators and cant disagree. I will remain frustrated that an intelligent discussion should be messed up by trolls that purely wish to disrupt. It makes the otherwise interesting topic an absolute pain to follow. I still believe my suggestion could be refreshing and helpful - but here I am, adding irrelevant text which is so off topic that, in this, deserves to be moved! ... so, back to "K7 to be dismantled" with my apologies :)

The idea of 'trolling' is to mislead or distract from the topic, hence to prevent discussion. I know it could look bad to some but the role of a moderator here may be advantageous. If one could delete (better to move) Eastman's post on the basis of 'trolling' and similarly all the replies to his post, and the topic could remain sensible. Personally I invite Eastman to contribute with constructive comments and questions which can be debated. By implication if he just rudely intervenes, as above, with banal and aggressive statements then his post serves no purpose and should be deleted (moved) before it appears or better be moved to another topic (called 'Trolls and Children' ?) by the moderator. The poor moderator will come in for criticism but in practice nothing need be actually deleted and the otherwise adult debate my continue.

It does not seem advantageous for anyone to START legal proceedings. The museum will not initiate action (against Charity Commission guidance) where they would knowingly expect years of expensive legal action based on their own refusal to mediate. Although they could win the original recovered parts but be then unable to fund any rebuild, Any engineering partner, now forewarned, would likely insist on very very strict terms. Lastly, but importantly their last legal action did not end well for them and the trustees could become personally liable for the enormous costs. BBP seem similarly unlikely to initiate the action, they have never even claimed to own the recovered wreckage and so have little to gain. The project's existing costs have already been recovered through merchandise, donations and no doubt personal sacrifice of the team. The Project have already proven their ability to raise substantial funding to finish the restoration. The Ruskins only realistic course of action is probably to try and goad the BBP through social media into some sort of legal action. Given their vocal trolls number perhaps 2 or 3 and seem only to talk to each other this appears an unlikely prospect. Fortunately the project team have a surfeit of skilled volunteers to keep BBK7 fighting fit and can afford to wait till common sense prevails and we see it on the water again. What was his name again? - you must remember? that guy who got all those world records?

Read the statement of the RM dated 24th of Sept: It's so disappointing the RM are so lacking. I don't know if anything is happening at BBP but hope that the museum can pick up their parts as they demand. The door to reason is still open but will be closing further as each day closes - by the time of the 28th day BBK7 will be fully dismantled behind closed doors. Only the experienced and skilled team in the BBP know how to rebuild and will know exactly what and when. I have so far contributed but a little to the BBP but feel ££££££ will be needed should the museum not pick up the phone. I believe the team at BBP will want to give their time and supporters, like me, will gladly contribute what is needed. If the trustees sadly don't want to engage then they can pick up their wreckage and do whatever they wish. For sure it can be a static display though we all know it will never see open water again. When do I reserve a place at Loch Fad ?

I assumed BBP is just going quiet. I have confidence that the team will meet those deadlines as set by the museum as far as making their bits available, though this wisely wont be published. As the days pass there will be less and less of BBK7 existing as a whole boat. If reason prevails early then it can be reassembled and the museum can have a display. Otherwise, by the 28th day, the BBP will be ordering new materials and have a couple of years in reconstruction and the museum will have their parts, a gigantic problem and will rue the day they ordered BBK7 to be dismantled. I hope the 'dreary' crew are now quiet and reason prevails - the earlier the better! Disclaimer: the same disclaimer as andyjscull's post.

Its nice to see that the trolls have seemingly blocked themselves on twitter. All I see now is the educational (discussing the speedometer, the paint, the sponsons etc) and the entertaining (what are those teacakes?, lively discussion on likely lakes for running, latest visitor talk) and such like. It shows a dedicated bunch the BBP unskilled volounteers being honest, transparent and worthy of support. I so much enjoy clicking all the LIKE icons in support of the lobster (and carers)

@Filtertron That's a twist I hadn't thought of! If its the CFHT running their show then maybe best to dismantle sooner or this will go on forever?

Whilst I was amongst many who just wants a working agreement your last paragraph persuades me that the museum is just not the right partner.

After that .... can you elaborate ? (I am smiling broadly)

Perhaps if the museum were to appoint a contractor for their rebuild (running or static) who can liaise with BBP on the best way to dismantle. Engineer to Engineer - what's not to like? Considering the main fuselage frame/chassis for example. If for static display then jointly fund a model frame and BBP keep original. If for RM running then joint fund a replica and RM keep original. If you cant agree everyone gets their half and my guess is the rebuild costs would be double! Has anyone read 'The Merchant of Venice' recently?

The museum says it has the much evidence of what parts were gifted to them. This is most helpful as they surely must submit this as a list to the project. No doubt the list will contain items which are controversial but further, when resolved, will be a good list of parts needed for the continuing running of K7. All the drawings, specifications and experience already gained and owned by the Project will help considerably in setting out the plan and timescale of the next outing. Conversely, what the museum or its contractors can do with few drawings, little research and no experience is anyones' guess - and fantastically expensive!

Fairy Lights Committee will be, in due course, considering their options here (I really cant stop laughing at the tale above)

I just cant see the RM being reasonable now or in the future. Just make sure any contract is 100%, Thanks for the enhanced details.