Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar 06/01/17

I read somewhere that the Mosquito project was cancelled due to the British airshow regulation changes

Erm – nothing in the change to Airshow regulations that prohibits mosquito operation here so I’m afraid whoever wrote what you read is very wrong. I know for a fact that those building these machines have had long conversations with the UK CAA over their operation on the UK register with the slight changes that have been made to the airframe production.

I also know that the deal never went ahead with whoever was involved financially, and therefore since at least the end of Spring 2016, the aircraft destined for the UK has been for sale to interested parties.

I don’t believe another interested party has been forthcoming but it is several months since I last heard an update on the projects.

FB

Hi All,
Matt,
Many thanks for sharing your tour photos and that amazing Spit list 😮 If you want I will pass you the Baseball Mit and Ball on my way out….:D

Geoff.

That place has to be on the bucket list of any Spitfire enthusiast!

I read somewhere that the Mosquito project was cancelled due to the British airshow regulation changes

are we heading for airshows which have wall-to-wall Spitfires and little else?

Im in

It feels as though Spitfires are by some margin ( and increasing) the largest component of the UK historic scene, and variety is getting squeezed.

Given the Fighter Collection disposals, the Air Atlantique Historic Flight dispersal and the fading of British historic jet operations, are we heading for airshows which have wall-to-wall Spitfires and little else?

Perhaps one factor is that any high-spending collector who fancies indulging in historic aeroplane, but has no particular background in historic flying ( there are quite a few such people) t will almost inevitably end up with a Spitfire because it is the one they have heard of , you can buy a brand new one, and there is a whole industry to support and train you,

Maybe one day someone will get an urge to create and display an Airspeed Fleet Shadower, but I will not hold my breath……..

I forgot to ask 🙁

COOLER, 30 days ! schnell

I am surprised the photography was allowed for public viewing I thought they had a policy of photos for personal use not publication? I could be wrong as often are.

Fantastic collection and thank you for sharing Matt.

Any chance you asked about the Mosquito project?

I forgot to ask 🙁

I’d imagine it must be the largest assortment of Spitfires in one spot, but while Peter Monk (owner of BHHH) owns TA805 and MK912 (as well as the BHHH Hurricane), the rest are owned by other individuals. BR601 is owned by the Collings Foundation (US), MJ627 and MJ772 are owned by Warbird Experiences, and the remainder of the other complete or project Spitfires listed are owned by other (private) individuals. EP122 is owned by the Friedkin family (Comanche Fighters/Warbirds), which owns the largest private collection of airworthy Spitfires with a total of six (three in the UK and three in the US – two Mk.I’s, two Mk.V’s, a Mk.IX, and a Mk.XIV – though which is still one shy of the number of Mustangs they have).

FIFTEEN?! Is that the most Spitfires owned by non-air force interests, and the most in one place?

Any chance you asked about the Mosquito project?

Holy spit!
There’s a lot of those things under that roof.

Thanks for sharing.

Andy

Great photos thanks for sharing Matt.

Castle Bromwich mkII 🙂

Thanks Matt. The BHHH looks like the closest thing in size to TFC operation, this time specialising in Spitfires. The Malta Mk V is my personal favourite. Darren H, we need to see it through your lens flying with the Shuttleworth Sea Hurricane ?

Bloody hell! I had no idea!

The complete list of Spits at the hangar is:

Spitfire Mk I P9372 – Excavated remains on display
Spitfire Mk Vb EP122 – Flying
Spitfire Mk Vc EE602 – Flying
Spitfire T8 MT818 – Flying
Spitfire T9 MJ627 – Undergoing maintenance
Spitfire T9 BS410 – Restoration/rebuild
Spitfire T9 MJ772 – Accident damaged, in storage
Spitfire Mk IX LZ842 – Restoration/rebuild
Spitfire Mk IX BR601 – Flying, but will be moving to a collection in America (but I don’t know when)
Spitfire Mk IXe TA805 – Flying
Spitfire Mk IXe MK912 – Accident damaged, in storage
Spitfire FR XIVe RM927 – Fuselage only (I think), in storage
Spitfire Mk XVIe RW832 – Flying, our guide said it changed ownership before Christmas but should remain at BH
Spitfire Mk XVIe TE184 – Flying, but spends the summers in the Czech Republic where its owner does business, but spends the autumn/winter at Biggin
Spitfire Mk XVIe TB885 – Restoration/rebuild

Thanks for posting, an exciting place for Spitfire enthusiasts, for sure. How many Spitfires are operated by BHHH? How many are in restoration?

Only that “it’ll be ready when it’s ready”

Nice photos ,did they have any updates on the 109?