Sir Michael Beetham Restoration Hangar

Any pics of the Tempest?

Fascinating to see inside the Wellington- thanks for that! Those rivets on the Hampden are a bit iffy though aren’t they?

Unfortunately, Robbo, I have everything I need to finish the Tempest off. So, I don’t even have much of an excuse.

Neil, there’s nothing wrong with getting waylaid with a spot of photography. Well, that’s been my excuse for the last 8 years whilst I accumulated sheets of balsa.

Rob

Hi Robbo,

The Tempest is about 75% complete, but I haven’t done anything to it for a couple of years. I had to re-do the centre section because the original plans were wrong – it was 2″ short. Now, I have to work out the undercarriage geometry. The other things I have to do is remake all the flaps etc and I lost a bit of interest. Unfortuneately, the photography then took over and I don’t have enough time. One of these days I’ll finish it.

Happy New Year,
Neil

At the time the IWM said this would be future policy – whether it still is………..I hope not!

Happy New Year to all,
Neil

IWM? It’s the RAFM.

Good to see you back Neilly. I last saw you laying oyut the plans for a very large Tempest model in the Astra cinema. Did you get round to building it?

Hi Ant,

Thanks, mate – good to see some of the old lags are still here:)

Re: the Wellington’s colour scheme. If you cast your mind back to the Tempest repaint – that was put back into its last squadron colours. At the time the IWM said this would be future policy – whether it still is………..I hope not!

Happy New Year to all,
Neil

Same here Peter but I am not holding my breath !!

I was hoping that as the turret hasn’t been removed that maybe they have given up on that idea.

Welcome back to the forum Neilly, and thanks for these interesting pics.

Does anyone know if a decision has been made on what colours the Wellington will be finished in? Last I heard there was talk of returning her to 1950’s trainer colours (silver with yellow bands), is this still being considered?

Anon – in a word – No!

I was wondering that too ZRX. I will have to go and have a look next time its open.

MBCC

I was there recently, too.

Regarding photographs; we were told that whilst it was OK to take them for our own use and enjoyment that publishing them on the net was not OK. Reason? They sell the rights for the photo’s to an outside company who expect pretty much exclusivity to the images. It all goes to help raise funds.

Sounds reasonable to me. Did they not say the same to you chaps?

Anon.

Is the regulator on his rivet gun broken, or was he using a 14lb hammer to drive the rivets? 😮

re;

I wonder if they will tidy up S-Sugar? Every time I have visited, bits are off her, being inspected.

Hi All,

From what I could see the outer wing sections, tailplane and fin looked pretty much refurbished – ready for recovering. The only control surface I saw was the rudder and that looked done. The Wellington wing centre sections (inc rear part of engine nacelles) are at the back of the outer panels. I couldn’t get in a postion to get a good picture, but they appear to be complete, too.

Another thing to mention (no pictures – apologies) outside the hangar there are now two poly-tunnels. These are ready to receive the Dornier Do17. The airframe has to be treated – in the same way as the Mary Rose. The salt, crustations etc. all have to be removed before the rebuild can start.

TTFN,
Neil

hi,
at the open day recently at the MBCC,they said pieces of the Wellington fabric was on sale in the shop,and in March at Shuttleworth in the restoration hangar there was 4 boxes with coverings off G-ACTF,G-AEBJ,G-AKPF,and the Bristol monoplane if anyone wanted any for a donation…

regards
jack…

Those fabric sales at Old Warden have paid for the large photos on the hangar walls. Every pound in the pot helps towards providing something to make your visit interesting and informative. Thanks to all who have contributed over the years.

hi,
at the open day recently at the MBCC,they said pieces of the Wellington fabric was on sale in the shop,and in March at Shuttleworth in the restoration hangar there was 4 boxes with coverings off G-ACTF,G-AEBJ,G-AKPF,and the Bristol monoplane if anyone wanted any for a donation…

regards
jack…

re;

I visited Brooklands many years ago (possibly 20) shortly after the restoration of R Robert.

They were selling off scrap bits of the geodetic structure for (memory) c.£1. I’ve a 6 inch bit sitting on my model shelf.

Chris

I wonder if that’s where the hands on piece at Elvington came from? you were allowed to bang it on the table to see how tough it is!

Wellington bits

I visited Brooklands many years ago (possibly 20) shortly after the restoration of R Robert.

They were selling off scrap bits of the geodetic structure for (memory) c.£1. I’ve a 6 inch bit sitting on my model shelf.

On another tack, when Shuttleworth restored the LVG many years ago (possibly c.30) they sold off pieces of the replaced lozenge fabric, a piece of which I framed and is on the wall facing me.

Chris