I notice in the February mags that the Sopwith Pup replica, BAPC179, has left the Midland Air Museum, Coventry and is now at Sywell as a new stablemate for the BE2 replica.
It had been on display at MAM for a long time – seen by many as fulfilling an important role in the story of local aviation.
I believe that more aeroplanes (and engines) were built in Coventry’s five aircraft-producing factories for the RFC & RNAS than in any other single location in Britain during WW1.
Does anyone know if the MAM are planning to replace the Pup with another one or other 1914-18 type?
Roger Smith.
By: The Blue Max - 16th January 2011 at 21:25
Good job its not Godiva, we’d never get any work done:diablo:
And as for the climax engine, if its that good TT how come its not in a Museum:diablo:
She is designed to fit a VW so thats what will prob go back in. A rotary is just a dream i guess but it would be rather nice to be able to show people a working rotary. After all apart from OW and Brooklands where can you do that!??
By: low'n'slow - 16th January 2011 at 20:50
Yes but it’s not exactly a Coventry Climax FWA or Godiva is it??:diablo:
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 16th January 2011 at 20:44
If only there was a Coventry Climax engine say, 12 ft away from your workshop complete with engine stand, suitable for, and having been installed in, a WW1 replica……:diablo:
TT
By: The Blue Max - 16th January 2011 at 20:23
I’ll leave that one to you Ben!!!
I would like to thank Barry and all at MAM for there asistance in getting the Pup back home, I know it was not somthing that they were over the moon about happening but they were more than helpfull in its removal.
As has been said it had been at MAM for many years but it had not been loaned by my Uncle, he had loaned it to someone at North Weald who then loaned it to someone else without pemision. It had infact ended up there by passing through several hands and my Uncle had lost where it actualy was. One thing for sure if it had not ended up at MAM it may well not have survived!! Once relocated Uncle David was more than happy for it to remain at MAM untill we had a need for it. She was built for the TV series “Wings” and with the other former “Wings” BE2 nearing completion it was decided that the two should be together and hopefuly foam the centre piece for a posible “Wings” reunion. This was somthing my Uncle was very keen to see happen but sadly he passed away last April and was never to see it come home. Hopefully in the near future they will be displayed together for some photo’s and as has been said we hope to get the Pup mobile under her own steam, any one got a spare rotary out there that they would like to donate??;) She needs some TLC but watch this space
If anyone out there has details of any of the surviving R/C models from the series we would like to here from you, I know one of the BE2’s was hanging up in the sqaudron at Noth Weald, maybe a connection with the Pup there??
And I was contacted a few years ago by someone who had one of the Albatros’s but I have lost their details.
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 16th January 2011 at 19:43
Bl88dy Hell Bod – Go back and get it!!
TT
By: RPSmith - 16th January 2011 at 15:08
Thanks for the replies/additional information.
It will be good to see it mobile at Sywell – can’t have enough Pups moving about under steam!
It will leave a big hole at Baginton which the Pou G-AEGV can’t fill.
I find it very ironic that ‘EGV was, of course, originally built at Sywell by members of the East Midlands Aero Club in 1935/36.
Roger Smith.
By: low'n'slow - 16th January 2011 at 11:48
In line with the late David Boddington’s wishes, the Pup has been returned to the family, who had loaned it to MAM. It will shortly be returned to ground running and taxiable condition.
More on the ‘Latest News’ section of the Biggles Biplane website, although you will have to click through two or three other stories to get to it. It’s been a busy month!
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 16th January 2011 at 11:16
Can I also confirm that FP got it wrong and the Pup is not, nor ever was connected with Sywell Aviation Museum…ta!
TT
By: Jagx204 - 15th January 2011 at 22:48
Yes it has been returned after a long period on loan. Not something the Museum instigated, but at the end of the day it was on loan and the current custodians had new plans for the exhibit at Sywell.
I’m not aware of any plans to replace it with another 1914-1918 type, although if anyone has one spare I’m sure the museum would be at least interested to hear about it.
I believe the current plan is to fill the void with the Flea partial replica G-AEGV, which has been hiding in the corner of the display hangar out of general view for a number of years.
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January 15, 2011 at 8:11 pm