Thought you might like to see a quick update of what we have been up to over the summer, and are beginning work on!
The Chipmunk is getting ever closer to completion, and the fuselage is all but complete, with the exception of a few detail items in the engine bay and cockpit. Lots of dayglo makes a nice change to some of the civil schemes that are around.
The Sea Venom has come in for some major remedial work to the fuselage, and I will be tackling the wings and the rest of it whilst our carpenter does the fuselage. Already, much of the wood skin on one side has been removed, as it was rotten. The balsa has rotted almost completely away in places.
The Mosquito 6 makes good progress, and the attached shows the cockpit as it is now, plus one of the wing fairings being built up.
I look forward to seeing some of you on December 11th!
Bruce
By: Bruce - 29th August 2007 at 08:40
John,
You’re welcome anytime!
For the full story on the Sea Venom, there is an article in the latest Flypast by its erstwhile restorer.
Bruce
By: Lindy's Lad - 28th August 2007 at 18:41
Good, my evil plan worked (cue Scooby Doo laughter)
John, yes the Chippy was a pretty comprehensive job. Stripped back to bare metal, new fabric all round, new cowls, one new wing, new tailplane, rudder, elevators. Cockpit was completely overhauled, and we have a runnable engine to fit in due course (no hurry!). I need 2-3 days to finish it off, but need better weather than I have had lately!
Lee, yes – half a lifetime away – scary isnt it!
Bruce
would have got away with it if it wasn’t for those pesky kids…..
Like I said – its all looking good. But now I want to come down there and see it for myself…..
By: Bruce - 28th August 2007 at 17:34
Good, my evil plan worked (cue Scooby Doo laughter)
John, yes the Chippy was a pretty comprehensive job. Stripped back to bare metal, new fabric all round, new cowls, one new wing, new tailplane, rudder, elevators. Cockpit was completely overhauled, and we have a runnable engine to fit in due course (no hurry!). I need 2-3 days to finish it off, but need better weather than I have had lately!
Lee, yes – half a lifetime away – scary isnt it!
Bruce
By: J Boyle - 28th August 2007 at 17:32
A recent issue of Classic and Sports Car magazine used the area shown in the second photo as a location for a car photo spread.
Even got a “thanks’ notice.
Good to see you’re getting some notice outside the aeronautical world.
By: Lee Howard - 28th August 2007 at 17:27
Looking good Bruce. Glad to hear someone is going to start work on F-BGNX again – it’s a whopping 17 years since I did my bit!! Suddenly I feel old!!
By: Lindy's Lad - 28th August 2007 at 17:16
Stealing my thunder….:D
Nice work down there! I last visited some years ago when we popped in with a Victor MLG on the back of a Landrover….. just in passing…
The chippy looks sweet – has it been a full restoration?
TA122 is looking well – and we need a gratuitous shot of the mossie prototype!
Well done Bruce and everyone else!
By: Bruce - 28th August 2007 at 17:10
For those that didnt see this yesterday when I posted, I’m just bumping it back to the top. More updates should follow in the next few days!
Bruce
By: bexWH773 - 27th August 2007 at 10:34
Bruce,
TY for the news on the Mossie, thats great news. And something that will get my rear in gear to visit, Ive never seen a real mossie before, and to see a breathing one would be just amazing. Bex
By: Bruce - 27th August 2007 at 10:28
NewForest
Comet will be included in the next update – it is currently just at the start of a major restoration programme.
Bex,
The intention is to get the Mosquito 6 to a ground runnable state, but this is very long term. There is no room to taxy!
Bruce
By: bexWH773 - 27th August 2007 at 10:09
Bruce, thanks for the update & sharing the photos. Id always wondered what the wood in a Venom pod actually looked like, and your first photo has shown me. Your Chippy looks great from the distance shot 😀 Now are you & your colleagues rebuilding a flying Mossie or just a taxying one? Bex
By: mike currill - 27th August 2007 at 08:57
Everything is looking good there. Another place on my must visit list. Been meaning to visit for a long time but the spare time seems to elude me somehow.
By: Newforest - 27th August 2007 at 08:09
Thanks for the report, that would be the Comet in the background? Don’t know why you don’t use the Museum link as your signature!;)
By: JDK - 20th October 2005 at 10:48
Great stuff Bruce.
From the other side of the globe, here’s a Mozzy widget taken today. More soon. 😀
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October 20, 2005 at 10:06 am