Flying Beaufort restoration milestone Australia AGAIN!!

Hi John,
Thanks for the report… that’s terrific news on the beaufort. I remember seeing an article in Classic Wings, a couple of years ago I think, which had a detailed description of the rebuild. They were having real problems sourcing an undamaged main spar cap at the time, and the viablility of the project seemed in some doubt. Do you know what happened here… ie.did they find a serviceable one, or did they make a new one?

Cheers,
Richard

Hi Ian

Your brilliant idea got me thinking so I put this idea up as a carry on from it!!!!

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35507

Thanks a lot I really thought the pics were great

Kindest regards
John P

The suggestion put forward about how wonderful it would be to see the Beaufort, Beaufighter and Blenhiem n the air together (which wold be f’ing fantastic :diablo: ) got me thinking. Sadly, I’m no great illustrator, but I threw these three photos together to give a flavour of what it might look like. Just image these three as sitting together, just waiting to take off for their display … Are you drooling yet? I know I am. 😀

Hi all

Some coments

Yes some veterans are deeply involved in this restoration and in the trust which is helping fund it.

I’m sure most of us are fans of big Bristols

Hi Cees

I didn’t know they blew one up in the flying doctors – I’m just reaching for my shotgun now!!!

Andy

Much more to come in the next few weeks – lots to post yet let me assure you.

Finally hope to have lots more P47 news next week plus photos.

Regards
John P

Cheers Andy. Awesome. Razorback P-47s are rare, especially Pacific ones! Interesting colours on this one too (art, kill marks, stripes, red-bordered star&bar)…

What a fantastic project. I would dearly love to see a Beaufort in the air after all these years – they are very much a forgotten aircraft these days. Do you have access to veterans who flew these aircraft or worked on them back in the 1940s.? Obviously, as time progresses, these individuals become more and more scarce.

I missed the P-47s. Where was that?

Skyraider
see here:-
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35402

A long way off but still good news.
Cheers
Andy

I missed the P-47s. Where was that?

Hi John
You southern hemisphere boys have certainly had all the good news this week.
P-47’s, P-40’s and now this.
Keep sending the news.
Cheers
Andy

I had no clue any Beauforts still survived, and seeing one being rebuilt to flying condition is a very welcome surprise. Stunning! 🙂

We must be living in the Golden Age of Warbird Resurrection 😀
Don’t you agree?

(…………………………….) I’m speechless, what a sight.

A whole lot better looking than the Beaufort wreck that was blown up for the “Flying Docktors” tv series. That really hurt.

Get them flying.

Cheers

Cees

As an ardent fan of all big Bristols (steady!), I’m delighted at this news. Thanks for letting us all know John. Wonderful effort, and congratulations to all concerned. That’s set me up nicely for the weekend, ta. 😀

Terrific news setter! It will be great to see this beast grace the skies once again! A big congrats to al involved!

Blenheim, Beaufighter and Beaufort trio what a sight that would be!

will she be at legends? :D:D:D:D:D:D

Hi all

Some answers

1) Engines

Remember that the Australian Beauforts had Yank Pratts so engines are fairly common and easy enough to get hold of and work on. Parts are in hand but further work is in progress on the engine /prop situation.

2)Future flight with a Beaufighter.

It could happen here once the work on the Robert Grienert Beaufighter produces an aircraft in the future .
On the other hand it would be nice if this one went on a UK tour at some time with the TFC Beaufighter
and the Bolingbroke – Tasty!!!

3) Dave – no the facility you are talking about would have been the HARS hanger/shed at Schyville in NSW near Richmond which contained a hell of a lot of Beaufighter stuff. Robert Grienerts Beaufighter is the decendant of this holding. Some of these parts could have come to Queensland but Ralph has put most of these parts together himself.
Yes the Darby et al Beaufort came to Australia and is I think either the AWM example or the one at Oakey – I will check and let you know.

Regards
John P

And being the eternal optimist, just how fantastic would it be to see both the Beaufort and TFC Beaufighter in the air together at some point in the future??

Agreed.

Is this facility the same one I saw in a photo about 12 years ago in an Aussie mag (Flightpath?) which had a swag of Beaufort and Beaufighters crammed into one shed? All is states of disrepair but with lots of hope for the future I might add. Or is this from another source?

There used to by a Beaufort in NZ which was recovered from New Guinea by Armstrong and Darby on the Tallichet raid. I believe that eventually went to Aussie.

Magnificenr job! Are engines available?

Dave

It’s hard to say how long till it flies – I’d say 2 to 5 years but much is already done – the hydraulic lines and wiring looms are mostly made up and the landing gear is in situ on onside and the tail wheel has been test fitted.

It will rapidly beging to look complete but it is then like an Ice Berg – most of what happens is below the surface and a lot has to happen – You also have to remember this is the first one flying for 50Plus years so there is no reference point so a lot of assurance testing has to be done. I am optomistic and hope 2 years – remember they have been at this for ten so they are on the home straight!!!

Kindest regards
John P