Some folk are thought to have something in their veins that just drives them to great lengths to follow their dream.
Roger Hargreaves had aviation and his beloved Britannia Charlie Fox running through his veins.

I first met Roger one day down at Kemble where Charlie Fox was being store with the Bristol collection.
It was a special meeting in as much I renewed my acquaintance with an aircraft that I had worked on in the
sixties when it was with British Eagle but also to meet up for the first time with Roger. His enthusiasm for the
restoration project of Charlie Fox was beyond doubt. It has been many years since it was saved from the
fire dump at Manston airport. The aircraft was eventually moved to various airfields in an effort to save it.
It was before it left Kemble airfield that it came the closest to being scrapped. Roger’s determination to save
the aircraft would not allow him to give up on the project. I recall the night he called to say he had found
at last a site for the aircraft. It was to go to Speke Liverpool,( the old hunting ground of British Eagle) with
the help of what was then the Jet Stream Club. As the aircraft, which arrive in three parts, was reassembled
Roger was now in a very positive mood. Yes it was to be a time with many difficulties but his determination
never flagged. Roger was deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Bates his co-worker on the project from
the start. However his enthusiasm and determination never waned.

In employment Roger worked for a number of airlines and in general aviation and was considered by many
as a professional in his work. He held the record of being the shortest serving employee when he started to
work for British Eagle. He joined the company on the day that it went into liquidation! He operated his own
company Proteus Aero Services in the early days which was involved in the saving of several aircraft
that are still around today.

We the team who work on Charlie Fox, will seek to continue the progress of its restoration
and will not give up. Roger a few weeks ago was planning how the future would fan out without him.

Roger will truly be missed not only as a friend but one who dreamed the impossible dream.
We will continue to makethat dream become a reality.

We send our love and deepest sympathy to his wife Sally and Angel.

For further information watch this web site.

It has been suggested that people might like to make a donation towards the
restoration of Charlie Fox in Rogers memory.

See the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust web site
‘Make a donation’

Eric Tarrant
on behalf of all the trustees and supporters