OK – simple question here – I honestly just don’t know the answer

If I was constructing an airworthy reproduction of, say, a Martinsyde F4 Buzzard or a Blackburn Botha or even restoring, say, an Albacore, at what stage would I need to discuss the project with the CAA and when would a registration be allocated. If I wanted to surprise everybody by announcing to the world that I had competed the restoration by doing a run and break at Duxford one morning, would it be possible to keep the registration “secret” until the morning of the grand reveal?

I know that this is probably just a what if question rather than your going to try & do it, but would love to hear if you ever found more drawings for the Buzzard or Botha. I believe the drawings for the Albacore survive.

The Buzzard could probably be built using the LAA rules etc, rather than the CAA.

Bob T.