For all Proctor fans, here is KEX, located in Sweden and barn stored for the last 53 years. I have bought her and whilst she look as bad, and without question will require a full re build, she is complete in all respects. The condition of the wings, centre section, fin and elevators is remarkable, with no rot or woodworm. Ground looped on delivery in 1950, she was repaired and flew until1952, and then grounded again owing to the then Swedish CAA concerns on British wood glued aircraft! Purchased by an eccentric following grounding, who had a passion for all types of machines, she was added to a collection of old cars, motorbikes, and agricultural equipment, all in a large secure barn, where they hibernated until 2003. When re discovered, outer wings were attatched, as was the tailplane and rudder. These were removed to facilitate transport. Struck off charge in 47, she was delivered to Southern Aircraft at Gatwick, and civilianised. Two further owners were registered in the UK, then her sale and delivery flight in 1950 to Sweden. Finished with a cream fuselage and fin, wings and elevators silver, all set of with a red cheat line, and full span red reg to the wings, top and undersides. After her groundloop, the fuselage was sprayed silver, and the wings red, how she is now. Poking carefully around the airframe has revealed numerous data plates with her construction number, and penciled on a couple of wing ribs the date 02/12/40, which i assume was her build date. Also vsible in places where fabric has lifted are the brown and green camoflage and yellow paint to the undersides. RAF stencils are visible , with part of the word”Inspection”in black on the rudder. Her British reg can be made out below the different layers of paint, as can her RAF number to the rear fuselage. The original brown leather seats are in place along with the old RAF seat harnesses. This is a real time warp machine, and plans are in hand to return this rare survivor home to Suffolk before christmas, and into yet another barn for short term storage. My intention is to see her re built along with HTE the Mk V i have a half share in. The spars and all of the internal centre section are painted white, was this standard practice on Proctor marks 1 to 3?? The V is plain wood. Paperwork and logs show only190 hours from new!
By: Newforest - 15th May 2008 at 21:47
Only four year to wait? This thread will run and run, best wishes!
And don’t forget the Q.6 which is hopefully progressing!
By: Tango Charlie - 15th May 2008 at 18:22
KEX Restoration Starts
Both HTE Mk V and KEX Mk 3 will be positioned into a single workshop by mid June for restoration to flight. We have set 2012 as our deadline, if things go well it may be a year earlier. A full time woodworker has been found and is raring to get stuck in, he already has three rebuilt aircraft to his credit. Pictured is the nose cowell from KEX now stripped of four layers of paint. Small dents have been fettled and filled, and the complete assembly primed, ready for top coat, yet to be decided civil or original RAF colours. Engine side panels, top and lower cowell are receiving the same treatment right now. Once the two Proctors are united i will post further pictures as the rebuild gains pace.
By: low'n'slow - 15th May 2008 at 08:25
OO-EOT is planning to attend the Air-Britain Classic Fly-In at North Weald over the weekend of 21-22 June. The other 1947 Tipsy aircraft (and other Classics) are more than welcome to join us there. Spread the word!
I would love to have dropped in with G-AISA. Sadly though, I’m working that weekend. 🙁
By: G-APDK - 15th May 2008 at 08:16
OO-EOT is planning to attend the Air-Britain Classic Fly-In at North Weald over the weekend of 21-22 June. The other 1947 Tipsy aircraft (and other Classics) are more than welcome to join us there. Spread the word!
By: low'n'slow - 14th May 2008 at 14:44
Hi all,
Some of the money brought in by the sale of Proctor SE-BTR has been spent on the purchase of Miles Gemini G-AISD, since yesterday based at the same strip from where the Proctor was collected.
Congratulations. Now all we need to do is to arrange some fly-out where four consequtive 1947 aeroplanes; G-AISA, G-AISB (now OO-EOT), G-AISC and G-AISD can congregate!!
By: SierraEchoFred - 14th May 2008 at 14:12
SE-BTR repl by G-AISD
Hi all,
Some of the money brought in by the sale of Proctor SE-BTR has been spent on the purchase of Miles Gemini G-AISD, since yesterday based at the same strip from where the Proctor was collected.
By: Proctor VH-AHY - 17th April 2008 at 22:21
TANGO CHARLIE
I wish you all the best with the rebuild, just a question regarding the glued joints, do they all have to be remade with modern glue or just critical ones. Joints that look OK can they be left alone. I know a fair bit about tin aeroplanes but have no knowledge about those made from God’s composite.
Richard
There is a basic problem with old glue joints and that is you don’t know how good they are. The ones that are shot, fall appart and that makes it easy to reglue them, however the ones that don’t fall appart need to be assessed for strength and that may mean testing that they don’t let go or splitting them so that they can be reglued and that is a lot of work and time consuming.
cheers
By: indiaXray - 16th April 2008 at 15:58
Nice find. Good luck with the rebuild.
By: pogno - 16th April 2008 at 12:03
TANGO CHARLIE
I wish you all the best with the rebuild, just a question regarding the glued joints, do they all have to be remade with modern glue or just critical ones. Joints that look OK can they be left alone. I know a fair bit about tin aeroplanes but have no knowledge about those made from God’s composite.
Richard
By: firecracker - 16th April 2008 at 11:12
My grandfather is Henry Hext and was the owner of G-AKEX found in the barn.
He owned, maintained and piloted this craft as well as several others including a dragon rapide.
my father and his brother may have more info or photos on this plane..
It really would be lovely to see this light aircraft in the metal after all this time.
good luck on the build.
By: Dustyone - 29th October 2007 at 10:39
‘M’s new Proctor
My only other wish is that I could work on her to bring back the new life that she so richly deserves— I cannot send enough words to express my delight. YOU KNOW WHO I AM M.B — hope to hear the good news from you that the ‘Hammers & glue pots’ are on the go !!!!
Dustyone
By: JANSSONNE - 28th October 2007 at 15:15
Congratulations ! Good luck for you and your fantastic project.
ERIC
By: Willip26 - 28th October 2007 at 11:07
Excellent news and with another Proctor rediscovered you’ve certainly got your work cut out to get them airborne again!
Can’t wait to see both of them back where they belong.
Best of luck.
Wicked Willip :diablo:
By: RPSmith - 28th October 2007 at 01:14
Great news and congratulations on your acquisition.
Roger Smith.
By: Consul - 27th October 2007 at 16:07
Wonderful news that you have secured her – well done and all the best for the restoration. It’s great to hear she’s coming back to the UK, I know when she was advertised that at least one US based individual was showing interest in obtaining it.
By: WJ244 - 27th October 2007 at 15:34
What a great find – just goes to show there are still aircraft and cars buried in barns!
Good luck with the rebuild and I look forward to seeing her in the air again.
By: SadOleGit - 27th October 2007 at 15:24
Congratulations! Good luck with her and enjoy her for all she’s worth.
By: Newforest - 27th October 2007 at 15:20
Congratulations, wondered when you would write again! Good luck with the rebuild.:)
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October 27, 2007 at 3:07 pm