HP42 replica – build in 2014

Whilst I hope that they succeed, a few things do not seem to add up. They have claimed that a large number of original drawings turned up in Canada, but have never shown any of them to anyone.

They have also previously claimed that a rich Arabian gentleman was financing the build.

Bob T.

An interesting link which has appeared in the Forum before I think. Could be the ‘secret source’ for the engines!

I fear you could be holding your breath for a very long time, Mark Pilkington!

Andy, it wasn’t clear from the facebook page that a “flying” reproduction was the stated objective, and I would agree that I cant hold my breath long enough for that outcome to transpire smiles.

I had thought a fuselage/cabin mockup was mentioned? and that would seem a worthwhile reproduction / FSM project, and more viable outcome than a flying reproduction?

As I said earlier however, it does require both the enthusiasm, but also the skills and resources, and lots of one doesn’t necessarily make up for too little of the others.

Mike – I am happy enough to be guided by the opinions of those a little closer to the situation.

On a related topic, while googling to find what become of the originals I was intrigued to find this site on the loss of the Hannibal.

http://www.rrhobby.ca/Hannibal/flight_cw197.htm

regards

Mark Pilkington

Let’s just say that this particular ‘Group’ have a history over the past decade or more that does not invite credibility, unless and until they can prove otherwise. Their claim has always been that they will build an authentic, flyable replica, powered by original engines (of which, apparently, they have a ‘secret source’). Not a fibreglass FSM, Mark.

The Vimy was built in Northern California, at Gnoss Field, and ‘Team Merlin’ had no involvement in its build. From reading their website, their main claim seems to be that they once operated it at the Farnborough Air Show. Wasn’t that the time that came close to ending in tragedy, when they nearly put the thing into the crowd on take-off?

I fear you could be holding your breath for a very long time, Mark Pilkington!

Don’t hold your breath…………

Its a very important interwar Airliner type that’s not represented by any significant portions or remains, let alone a sole survivor.

I note from the facebook site that the proponents have had some involvement in the most recent Vimy Reproduction, and I’m not sure a flying HP42 reproduction is being considered or is a viable outcome?, its a much bigger and much more complex project than those, I suspect the costs and engineering issues would be substantial to achieve such an outcome, even if the Heritage Lottery was open to participating?

HP42
H 27′ / 8M
WS 130′ / 39M
L 92′ / 28M

for comparison the Vimy dimensions are:
H 16′ / 5M
WS 68′ / 21M
L 43′ / 13M

A Full Scale Mockup along the lines of the Yorkshire Halifax (although its perhaps more a hybrid reproduction than an FSM), or Irish Boeing Clipper would seem quite viable, but again a very BIG in terms of eventually housing it.

for comparison the HP 56 Halifax dimensions are:
H 21′ / 6M
WS 104′ / 32M
L 71′ / 22M

for comparison the Short Stirling dimensions are:
H 23′ / 7M
WS 99′ / 30M
L 87′ / 27M

I put the Halifax up as a comparison of the relative size of such a project because although the Yorkshire project benefited from the substantial original portion of rear fuselage and the ability to adapt the Hastings wing into a usable hybrid Halifax outcome, those outcomes still needed enthusiasm and commitment to the dream, long before F for Friday was ever rolled out.

Starting perhaps with even less usable structure, (even if the RAFM hand over their tail section for reference or even “incorporation”?) is the Short Stirling project, yet here is a similar sized extinct type which has strong support for its resurrection, either as a static metal reproduction or simply an externally correct composite FSM with fibreglass and original structure mixed together if viable.

Again without enthusiasm, and a dream and of course the volunteer skills and resources to try and achieve it, such outcomes will never proceed, let alone achieve any outcome.

I would hope the people behind this dream can garner some support from us at this forum, and deliver some tangible display or outcome of this extinct type?

There is a wonderful fibreglass FSM DH89 Rapide on external display in the UK, and the Qantas Founders has a DH50, and DH61 Giant Moth FSM and are planning an eventual DH86 Express FSM to fill in some of these missing interwar types, they don’t quite attract the same support as the wartime types, but are historically important just the same to see them preserved, or presented somewhere in the world?, and an FSM is a viable way to do so when original structures are not available.

So I’m willing to “hold my breath”, and hold my “cold water”, if it helps an outcome proceed?, surely if we on this forum wont encourage it?, who will?

regards

Mark Pilkington

Don’t hold your breath…………