Blenheim at DX

Both accidents were pilot error/ misjudgement whatever you wish to call it.You could argue the same case for all single engined and actually twin engined warbirds that have come to grief because of pilot error/misjudgement.
It will always happen – human nature.
You can do your utmost to minimise but somewhere down the line lady luck ,talent,mechanics will desert you.
Without the will to rebuild these aircraft wouldn’t exist anyway.

Yes it is. In the first incident the pilot ignored procedures and confirmed a known handling characteristic of the Mercury engine. In the second the aeroplane was flown back with a rich mixture and ran out of fuel.

Why would you think this requires periods of chin-rubbing and hand-wringing prior to operating a type that was operated successfully by the other main pilot?

Well yes, perhaps if one hadn’t been involved in the hard work of restoration
you probably wouldn’t worry.

Graham

Two different aeroplanes, albeit the same type. There’s no reason to doubt that in the time since the last incident the handling procedures have been examined in some detail.

Graham refers to “her track record”. If I recall the Denham incident was laid squarely on the pilot for carrying out touch and goes when specifically told not to and then ramming the throttles into a rich cut.

So not such a ‘ridiculous statement’ then.

Graham

What a ridiculous statement. One case of fuel starvation constitutes a “track record”? Ridiculous.

Exactly.

One heavy landing at Denham, and touching down short of the threshold at DX, and he come over all ‘elf and safety ‘ 😉

Third time lucky, I say.

It WILL look fantastic, and though I have no knowledge of team or how they will be operating the Blenheim, I am certain that their planning will be professional and painstaking.

What a ridiculous statement. One case of fuel starvation constitutes a “track record”?

And the time before, at Denham, was mishandling by the pilot in command, who incidentaly was a really nice chap, just made a mistake.

Richard

With her track record of spanking into the ground, I can’t help feeling uneasy when the day comes for flying. I think a pause for thought after completion might be an idea.
The future flying schedule needs almost as much care and attention as the restoration.

Graham

re;

wow, she looks so different to her MKIV guise! Be great to see her again, she really is a gem. Well done to the team.

I’m proud of the work you are doing. Just keep up the good work and roll on 2012!

Not that “momoth” – she nearly made the short trip east just before the October airshow – the aircraft was due to appear in ARCs hangar for the Blenheim Society’s annual Blenheim Day.

Thanks to everybody for their interest in and support for the Blenheim, and I trust that the support will continue to allow Smudge and his wonderful team to get the aircraft back in the air sooner rather than later!

DR
Blenheim Society Committee.