we are all eagerley awaiting the return to the air of LS326 this summer with all things going well, but what is the status of the other 2 which the flight have. i remember some years ago 2 swordfish flying together, but the possibility of 3 in formation would be epic. does anybody have any info?
By: Lee Howard - 14th February 2007 at 23:11
Dave
Yes, VZ345 is still in the storage hangar – what’s left of her.
Lee
By: merlin101 - 14th February 2007 at 23:08
Lee, is that two-seater fury still there?
By: Lee Howard - 14th February 2007 at 19:07
The remaining mainplanes for LS326 are due very shortly. The completed upper centre mainplane has been refitted and late last week the Pegasus was also re-installed. It was tested in W5856 as far back as late 2005 and has been inhibited ever since.
Meanwhile work proceeds apace with the training of the nominated Swordfish pilots utilising the RNHF Chipmunk and the Provost T.1 of Kennet Aviation.
Everything is coming together. All hands are at the pump to ensure that LS326 WILL fly in 2007!
Keep checking the RNHF Website for the only OFFICIAL news as it happens.
By: DJ Jay - 14th February 2007 at 16:41
I’m not an expert commentator but I cant help but feel sorry for the RNHF, they dont seem to have a lot of luck. What happened to W5856? she was only restored to fly a few years back wasnt she?
I guess its lack of money that prevents these restorations from progressing faster. They are a worthy cause indeed.
All the best to them. I take it were unlikely to see a swordfsh fly in 2007?
Jay
By: stringbag - 14th February 2007 at 13:53
The Mk.I Swordfish W5856 is still grounded and is stored in the RNHF hangar. It has recently been used to test LS326’s newly rebuilt Pegasus engine. The Mk.III is still at Brough undergoing restoration by BAE-Systems when man-power permits.
The Flight’s priority at present I’m sure is to get LS326 flying and back on the airshow circuit.
Once that has happened, it will allow the work on the other two to be stepped up.
I’m sure Lee will post any further news on the official RNHF web-site when it becomes available…
By: JDK - 14th February 2007 at 12:21
Still a long way to go, with the other two aircraft, and in conversation a couple of years ago with the flight I was told that Pegasus parts limit the likelihood of a three aircraft formation. Pity.
Sign In
February 14, 2007 at 12:00 pm