With the possibility of the Vimy returning to Duxford today, I took the gamble and headed down there. P-51 ‘Old Crow’ was sitting out on the airfield with its covers on. Up in the restoration hanger, the yellow Bolingbroke fuselage and nose is being worked on and the ‘Zero’ has returned under the wing of the Storch and in a more ‘complete’ form.
In the afternoon I saw the pilot walking out to the P-51 so I headed up to the tank bank. The jet fuel tanker came out of the compound and parked up on the pan. Mmm I thought, as the F-86 wasn’t going flying, then out to the east I saw a smoke trail which turned into a Hercules. At the height it was, I though it was going to be a fly by until the nose dropped for a Khe San approach, it then pulled up and flew low level along the runway. It came in from the east again and touched down, turned around at the west end of the runway and took off again. It did this three times. ‘Old Crow’ was on the move as the Herc did its last take off. As the P-51 departed to the north, I started heading back towards the hangers as it was getting rather dark with storm clouds coming up from the south. By the time I got to the tanker, ‘Old Crow’ returned for a rather high aerobatic display with thunder echoing all around. With impeccable timing, as the P-51 turned off the runway, the storm hit by which time I was half way to the restoration hanger. 30 minutes of thunder/lightning/hail stones/rain. As I was getting on the bus at 16.45, the storm that had passed, returned with a vengeance.
The jet fuel tanker was for a Puma dropping in for a splash and dash, but I think got diverted to Cambridge, and the Vimy hadn’t arrived by the time I’d left.
Taken at 16.36
Brian
By: zoot horn rollo - 17th June 2009 at 00:09
It’s still a bit special. The intake for the cargo bay air conditioning pack has been moved to the top of the undercarriage blister, and both blisters have been considerably extended.
Probably some of the stuff installed for the Compass Call conversion. there was some discussion on one C-130 message board I saw about bits on various leading edges being from the aerial mountings.
By: cas - 16th June 2009 at 23:52
The yellow Bolingbroke fuselage is IWM’s example isn’t it? This has been under restoration for many years IIRC. I saw it about six years ago in this condition, but it is good to see an example being restored to display standard
Cheers
Cees
All of the previous restoration work carried out on this airframe was by the Aircraft Restoration Company, Owners of the only airworthy Blenheim at the time, work was halted several years ago on this aircraft in order to concentrate on other projects for the Hanger One refurbishment.
after several years of sitting around it is good to see that she will be finally finished to her rightfull condition
By: dailee1 - 16th June 2009 at 23:32
Prodded C130s
Thinking about the C130 and Duxford made me think. Were any of the Prodded Hercules, modified to permit flights between Ascension Island and Port Stanley airport ever saved or earmarked for conservation. If they were which aircraft were saved, and where are they?
By: bloodnok - 16th June 2009 at 17:57
Its 64-14859 a C-130E/H operated by the 352nd SOG at RAF Mildenhall. Previously it was a HC-130P and then an EC-130E and is now back to a plain C-130E/H.
All the special ops Hercs are painted like that at Mildenhall. Nothing special to it (apart from its history)
It’s still a bit special. The intake for the cargo bay air conditioning pack has been moved to the top of the undercarriage blister, and both blisters have been considerably extended.
By: Cees Broere - 16th June 2009 at 17:23
The yellow Bolingbroke fuselage is IWM’s example isn’t it? This has been under restoration for many years IIRC. I saw it about six years ago in this condition, but it is good to see an example being restored to display standard
Cheers
Cees
By: zoot horn rollo - 16th June 2009 at 16:21
All I can see is ‘USAF 44859’ on the tail and ‘4859’ on the nose.
Brian
Its 64-14859 a C-130E/H operated by the 352nd SOG at RAF Mildenhall. Previously it was a HC-130P and then an EC-130E and is now back to a plain C-130E/H.
All the special ops Hercs are painted like that at Mildenhall. Nothing special to it (apart from its history)
By: markstringer - 16th June 2009 at 14:20
Fantastic pictures as per usual there.
Any news on Sally B?
By: BSG-75 - 16th June 2009 at 13:57
is it me or does that herc lack much in the way of markings?
Rendition conspiracy ! – it does look a tad bland but I like the departure shot especially.
By: Pen Pusher - 16th June 2009 at 12:51
is it me or does that herc lack much in the way of markings?
All I can see is ‘USAF 44859’ on the tail and ‘4859’ on the nose.
Brian
By: Pen Pusher - 16th June 2009 at 12:48
Any plans to restore the Zero?
Hope this helps:D
Brian
By: Nashio966 - 16th June 2009 at 12:34
is it me or does that herc lack much in the way of markings?
By: Mark V - 16th June 2009 at 12:16
Has she flown it often, then?-i had no idea Europe had 2 female warbird pilots
Yes several times at least – IIRC Anna did her initial conversion to type when the Friedkin TF-51 (in 78th FG markings) was over here for Legends a few years ago.
By: Fouga23 - 16th June 2009 at 12:08
Any plans to restore the Zero?
By: Oxcart - 16th June 2009 at 11:49
Yes – it was being flown by Anna Walker this weekend – displayed at Cosford.
Has she flown it often, then?-i had no idea Europe had 2 female warbird pilots
By: Mark V - 16th June 2009 at 09:11
Incidentally is Old Crow the SHF Mussie.?
Yes – it was being flown by Anna Walker this weekend – displayed at Cosford.
By: Wyvernfan - 16th June 2009 at 08:04
Lovely pics Brian.. especially the last one of Sally B. Take away the guard rails and that could pass as 65 years ago.!
Incidentally is Old Crow the SHF Mussie.?
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June 15, 2009 at 10:02 pm