Defiant at Rochester.

They have rebuilt a 2nd one at wolverhampton? I thought?

Not original.. lots of new material with some original parts as i understand it. Hence my “one complete original example” statement.

I must admit to thinking that ‘if’ an example exists in fresh water, such as Loch Ness, and ‘if’ it is relatively complete.. then i would imagine it would not present too many problems as regard to restoring one to flying condition. I have never seen one stripped down but would of thought they used a fairly straightforward construction method.
I know spares would be an issue, but at least the powerplant would’nt present too many problems.!

Hi Septic,

Good to see you chap 🙂

You are always welcome down at the workshop, let me know when you want to come down next and perhaps we can arrange it so that you get a bit more time to have a look around.

There was an article on the Loch Ness Defiant in a very early copy of Flypast.

Septic.

Speaking of Fairey Battle, does anyone know of when the RAFM’s Battle will be back on display? Be interesting to see where they put it, as it’s previous position is now occupied by the FE2b

Those scans must still survive then somewhere?

When MAPS restore the Defiant they must be going back in time
considering that the airframe is so complete and untouched (apart
from that terrible red drab RAFM used to spray all over their exhibits).
The 110 and III with exposed engines also were red and looked like
they were bleeding.

Cheers

Cees

By the way i wonder whats left of the Dalcross Defiant… was / is there a substantially complete airframe still underwater.?

There was talk (By the then Curator of East Fortune) that one of the ‘monster’ scans of Loch Ness showed what appeared to be a substantially complete Defiant at the bottom of the Loch.

re;

They have rebuilt a 2nd one at wolverhampton? I thought?

I have allways liked the overlooked early period a/c, Gladiator, Defiant, Battle (which despite its faults is a beautiful a/c) and Blenheim. Who knows what may emerge as a new build one day?

Wyvernfan & Dog House Ldr, I share your views and if you don’t already have a copy, I can recommend that you take a look at “the Turret Fighters” in the Crowood Series.

Some very detailed breakdowns on missions, losses etc and a genuine view (IMO) of the “Other side” of the discussion about the concept, an interesting chapter on the Roc as well. It mentions Rocs being painted in Finnish markings ready for shipment to fight the Russians, interesting !

I look forward to seeing the RAF Defiant back, a worthy memorial that deserves its place in the national collection.

Yes i agree.. there is something about the Defiant that just grabs my attention. Such a unique and specialised aeroplane that never really cut the mustard, at least by day anyway, but nevertheless it is an appalling state of affairs to have just one complete original example in existance.

By the way i wonder whats left of the Dalcross Defiant… was / is there a substantially complete airframe still underwater.?

Last weekend I made a fleeting visit down to Rochester to see the RAF Museums Boulton Paul Defiant. As you can see the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society team have already made considerable progress, thankfully the airframe is remarkably complete which will hopefully make the project a little easier.

The engine is also in extremely good condition despite its many years of display and storage.

I hope to get down to Rochester in the near future to record future progress of this sole survivor.

Hopefully forumite ‘JBS’ will keep us up to date with the restoration.

Septic.

I have always been fond of the Defiant, I really can’t put my finger on it, It just shows you the wide range of fighter types on both sides before and during the early parts of the war