Blackburn B2

I’m here!!

Great aeroplane she was, but just missed the slot, too many Moth’s about already, and building up BIG time!

I for one would like to see a Repo B2 flying, at the very least!.

Nothing seem’s impossible now in the year’s 2000 plus, almost all the aeroplane’s that were ever built to fly, or tried to fly can now be built, and even tested, to see if they could fly with a bit of tweaking, and fiddling!!

It’s getting bigger every year now. What’s next, the sky is the limit so to speak!

Yes, hopefully someone somewere on this planet, may already have the B2 plan’s, just teasing with this idea right at this moment.

Well ya gotta dream it first hey, stranger thing’s can happen!.

CYA.

Very pretty. If not a likely candidate for airworthy restoration, any chance of her being restored to static?

Blackburn B2

This is what they looked like . . .

Page 56 of “The Blackburn Aircraft Company” compiled by Malcolm Hall.

I don’t even know what one of these beasties looks like – that’s how rare they are

Well we seemed to have identified it chaps and it doesnt look as if it’ll grace the skies again!

I well recall the B2 fuselage from G-ACBH which laguished in the Essex yard. At the time I obtained permission to access it and in order to photograph it for an early edition of Wrecks & Relics I had to climb an adjacent tree to get a good angle on it and also use a flash unit to illuminate it. The things one has to do to record history – none of these digital gizmos in those days – it was b&w film , home processing and printing etc. So far as the B.2 cockpit section goes, I also recall that from when it was on show at East Kirkby. All happy days! Is there a suggestion that the latest post indicates a “new” find i.e. that the item is genuine and is not connected with either of the ones we know about? I’ve never personally seen mention before of any “spare” fuselage /components existing as held in support of G-AEBJ but if someone knows different then do please share?

I was part of the Aeroplane Collection team that collected the B2 Cockpit section from the ATC unit at Caterham along with their Rover W2B engine (now at Cosford). I remeber the delight we took when we went to Hendon on the way back. A quick look at their Whittle engine and then comparing it to ours much to the confused looks from passers by. I also remember taking the B2 to an airshow at Sleap and watching a bemused public trying to figure out what it was.

Blimey Mk12 do you usually carry an emergency inflatable set of W&R with you at all times? 😀

TT

Yes, always, under my arm in sweat bubble. 😉

Well actually, being self-unemployable, I reach round for reference on my swivel chair to a shelf in my library.

I tend not to use the Zimmer around the house.

Mark

The famous scrapyard B.2 was rescued from the trees in 1984 and went into storage
on a farm in Essex. It was badly stored and reports suggest that it’s now in dreadful condition. The other surviving part was the cockpit which used to be with the Aeroplane Collection. She was bought by John Chillingworth and stored initially near
St Ives. I am not sure where she is now – however she would be suitable for pattern use only. To build one would be completely impracticable from the financial point of view. BAe have some wing parts and possibly tail feathers in store for their flyer.

Blimey Mk12 do you usually carry an emergency inflatable set of W&R with you at all times? 😀

Could well be the same fuz – apparently its not in very good nick -but is c/w engine mount will try and find out some more if/when he calls me back – bit of a random phone call actually,

All t best

TT

Ah, 1976 when things could still be “too far gone for preservation”!

I do remember seeing this had left the scrappy but cannot remember where ti went.

Wasn’t there a B2 fuselage lodged in tree at some UK scrap yard or other?

I can picture a photo somewhere; perhaps an early edition of Wrecks and Relics.

Mark

Yup found it. Fifth edition 1976.

Caption reads:-

” Taken up a tree with a flash gun Blackburn B-2 G-ACBH resting , where it has done for a very long time, at Dixon’s yard, Ramsden heath. It is probably too far gone for preservation. Taken 16/5/75. Tim R Badham.”

Mark

Wasn’t there a B2 fuselage lodged in tree at some UK scrap yard or other?

I can picture a photo somewhere; perhaps an early edition of Wrecks and Relics.

Mark

Could well be AW – the chap said he had found a fuse only –

The Bae one was the only B2 I was familiar with – where is it based now?

I seem to recall that there were two fuselages that had survived the war other than the BAE SYSTEMS one. Don’t they own the remains of one for spares?