Which aircraft that are now flying would you rate among the most incredible rebuild jobs? I’d nominate these:
The BBMF Hurricane LF363 that crashed and burned in 1991. Amazingly it was rebuilt and now flies again. Is there much of the original aircraft in the one now flying?
Also, Sir Tim Wallis’s Hurricane – when that arrived in NZ it was a heap of rusty junk, and looked like it would never be rebuildable to the untrained eye. Gives hope for the Stukas and Bf110’s that he bought at the same time. I hope they eventually get flying wherever they may be these days.
Any other amazing rebuilds ?
By: Blue Leader - 22nd March 2004 at 11:32
So much work goes into every restoration that I dont think that I could single out any particular one, however, one that I have watched over the years is TFC’s Gladiator. This has given me an apreciation of the hard work and dedication that exists behind the scenes.
By: Firebird - 21st March 2004 at 15:29
Given the complexity of the subject and finances involved, the restoration to flight of the Collings Foundation B-24 by Tom Reilly has to be up near the top of the ‘incredible rebuild’ list.
By: atc pal - 21st March 2004 at 11:43
Glacier Girl. The P-38 from below the Greenland icecap. I find it incredible – but applaud – the money and effort put into her.
Best regards
By: Dave Homewood - 21st March 2004 at 10:33
Cheers guys. I didn’t mean to touch on a sensitive subject, I didn’t realise what had happened on the forum in the past.
My interest in asking is simply in the technical side of such a restoration, it must be a real challenge. Engineering seems to have developed so far in Warbirds circles. It’s amazing how well they can do these days in restoration.
Have there been any other Warbirds rebuilt or currently undergoing restoration after a bad crash? I don’t specifically mean a recent crash either, perhaps an aircraft recovered from a wartime crash site which burned?
Very sad about the Mossie. At least there may be a few flying again soon, especially here in NZ.
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st March 2004 at 10:04
Dave, the Mosquito was almost totally destroyed by the impact I’m afraid. The remaining parts were scrapped soon after the AAIB had concluded the investigation.
By: turbo_NZ - 21st March 2004 at 09:38
Very controversial subject, that Firefly one. I remember a thread here being removed because it got very ugly and tasteless.
R.I.P. the Firefly & Mossie crew.
🙁
By: Dave Homewood - 21st March 2004 at 09:35
Actually after posting this message this afternoon I found an old message in the back-archives where the very topic of the authenticity of LF363 was discussed. It is also about the Rolls Royce Spitfire Mk XIV which is apparently being restored (something I found incredible!)
A chap called Bruce, who must have been involved with the restoration it seems, posted a detailed message about what went into the rebuild from the wreck. Quite a considerable amount by all accounts. It is very impressive indeed.
This makes me ask the question, was anything salvagable from the BAE Mosquito that crashed a few years back? Or the recent Firefly crash? Both very sad, but maybe someone can do something to get them back into the air?
By: Bluebird Mike - 21st March 2004 at 09:28
I suppose this wanders into that oft-argued territory of what’s ‘original’ or not; certainly LF363 is more brand new than original Hurricane now, though I’d like to think that it’s still a tad more original than some of the ‘dataplate’ aircraft that are ‘restored’.
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March 21, 2004 at 12:08 am