Can anyone here please shed some light on the fate of my old Provost T1 WW388 (7616M)?
I deeply regret letting it go, and would certainly value any assistance exploring the remote possibility of getting it back some 33 years later!
We put the plane together using parts from XF898. The wings came from the Irish Air Force via some chap in Wales.
The prop and U/C came from an aircraft parts company in Surrey, and David Micklebough helped with flaps and an aileron as part of a swap having damaged his example.
It was a teenage hobby that went a bit wild, but it was fun whilst it lasted!
We had the static assembled at our farm for several years.
A PM would be gratefully received. Many thanks in advance for your kind assistance.
By: WW453 - 28th January 2020 at 23:37
George H
you also have no contact link, please try my this email
By: Bruce - 27th January 2020 at 12:31
Some years on – the aircraft appears to have been part of the collection of Provosts and parts that went up for auction last year, but was then pulled. I’d be interested in acquiring the parts if anyone knows the current status?
By: George H - 26th January 2020 at 14:00
WW453. Thank you for your post here. Intriguing. Unfortunately there isn’t a link associated with you to PM.
Could you PM me and then we can connect?
Thank you.
By: WW453 - 25th January 2020 at 17:28
Sorry my Typo, WW388
By: WW453 - 25th January 2020 at 17:25
George , please contact me regards WV388
By: George - 16th April 2016 at 13:50
Bruce – as promised – an update. All leads went quiet but thank you for all your help to contact the current owners.
I have no doubt that they will do an excellent job with its restoration.
My kind regards to you all.
By: TwinOtter23 - 11th March 2016 at 18:46
Glad that the photographs came through OK George and thank you for the donation to NAM funds, it is much appreciated. 🙂
By: George - 9th March 2016 at 20:46
Thank you very much for doing this for me. It looks as though they were in the process of repainting it? I spent hundreds of hours on this plane over the years to bring it up to a better standard. I had a lot of fun with it. These pictures certainly bring back happy memories of WW388. Let’s see what happens. Many thanks for sharing them here… I appreciate your time and kindness.
By: TwinOtter23 - 9th March 2016 at 18:36
Two scans from photographs of WW388 from the Newark Air Museum Archive – thanks to the Curator for locating them! 🙂
By: TwinOtter23 - 9th March 2016 at 15:23
I’ll scan them up this evening.
By: George - 9th March 2016 at 15:16
That’s really helpful of you. Yes I most certainly would be interested. Thank you.
By: TwinOtter23 - 9th March 2016 at 15:11
There are no pictures of WW388 amongst the N Franklin items in the NAM Archive – sorry!
However the search has thrown up two pictures: one from May 1987 (at Rhoose) and a second from August 1995 – might these be of any interest?
By: George - 3rd March 2016 at 22:03
Many thanks Wulfie. PM sent.
By: Wokka Bob - 3rd March 2016 at 17:05
Thank you AgCat for putting my mind at rest after more than 35 years. I only typed that last paragraph as an afterthought. Another mystery solved by this illustrious forum. I personally have never heard of GI airframe flying under that serial. Perhaps someone else can enlighten us.
If anyone is in the area of the Lincolnshire Film Archive, Boston, ( http://www.lincsfilm.co.uk/listings/listing541560.html ), they have the following film available for viewing:
543 THE QUEEN AT CRANWELL
Cranwell (RAF) 1970
1.25 min Colour 16mm Silent
H.M. The Queen visits the RAF College at Cranwell (12 June 1970) to mark its 50th Anniversary.
By: Wulfie - 3rd March 2016 at 10:13
George, WW388 is owned by Vaughan Meers and John Hoole, and is stored at Hooligan’s place. I know them both, and see Vaughan every week. I don’t believe they wish to sell, but PM me with any suggestion you have.
By: AgCat - 2nd March 2016 at 23:18
Hi TO:
Thanks for that. The report and photo in Control Column was the only published evidence I have ever seen of that Provost flying with its M-number.
I remember the work being carried out at Halton to get it ready – only staff instructors, no Brats, working on the aircraft. I’m also convinced that I also saw it fly on and air test, but the old grey cell is getting a bit worn out now.
By: TwinOtter23 - 2nd March 2016 at 21:57
AgCat, I’ve emailed an enquiry over to the NAM Curator. I’ll advise of any feedback when it comes through.
By: AgCat - 2nd March 2016 at 20:52
That was because it was flown to Cranwell, still bearing its M-number, and took part in the flying display to mark Cranwell’s 50th anniversary (which was attended, I think, by The Queen). I was a Brat at the time and remember the work being carried out on the aircraft before its flight to Cranwell.
A photo of the aircraft flying in the display, bearing its M-number, was published by Neville Franklin in a contemporary issue of Control Colum. Perhaps the pics id still in the Franklin Collection at NAM. Twotter?
Is this the only time an aircraft displaying its M-number, having been declared Cat 5(GI), has ever flown?
By: Wokka Bob - 2nd March 2016 at 20:11
For those who were wondering why WW397 was mentioned above, it was the last Piston Provost to fly officially in Royal Air Force service. This final flight was from 27MU RAF Shawbury, landing at RAF Halton 30 Oct 1969. The aircraft was given the Ground Instructional number of 8060M.
What remains a mystery is that between landing at Halton in 69 and arriving at Lyneham in 1979 is that the aircraft had logged an extra 4hrs 40mins flying time!
By: George - 2nd March 2016 at 13:22
Thank you so much for your encouragement. What a helpful lot you are.
Tim – the pictures would certainly be of interest. Thank you.
There are some old Polaroid snaps somewhere and will try to scan them in for you when they’re found.
Thank you Bruce for your interest. I will certainly keep you updated with any progress.
Best wishes to you all.
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February 29, 2016 at 10:20 pm