Brooklands today…

I thought thery finished restoring the Wimpey years ago? It was agreed to leave it partially uncovered. I think it looks fine the way it is… it’s a fascinating exhibit.

Perhaps flood but id always been under the impression that it was to be displayed this way permanently. How much restoration is left anyhow?

best regards, steve

I’d imagine that it is still like it is because they haven’t finished restoring it.

Flood.

Another reason for keeping the Wellington like this is that it facilitates checking the structure for any corrosion that might turn up. As the entire airframe has been submerged for ages there is still the chance that there are hidden corners where the anti-corrosion treatment hasn’t fully taken hold.

Personally I prefer the aircraft this way for another reason. Covering the entire aircraft would mean that it would look all shiny and new, somehow I think that it would look a bit fake that way. The way she is now she looks more like the bit of history that she is.

I know it allows the public to see how a wellington is constructed but it would be great to see the aircraft fully covered with just a small amount of the geodetic structure on display. It would be the only place in the world where we could see what a wellingotn would have looked like (i can’t get a true feel for hendons as the night vision makes the camoflage a sea of greens). Its such an amazing job though that the team at brooklands have done though so im wary at complaining about such a small point 🙂

I must look out the pix I took a couple of years ago – think the Hurricane didn’t look too much different then (not complaining though!).
I meant that the VC10 and the Merchantman were both closed today – the gate was locked; they were both open when I was here previously…
It is just as well the wings were off the complete Viscount otherwise the buzzy little MGs might not hav got past…!

Incidentally I had a flame-grilled cheeseburger at the MG owners club eats-tent: it was fine. Didn’t try the site facilities.

Flood. (Have another Wellington pic!)

Originally posted by Flood
But the Hurricane (Z2389) rescued from Russia is still bearly recognisable…

You should’ve seen it when it arrived Flood! Trust me when I say that this is a big improvement.

And just to add: the Vanguard and VC10 do open to the public, but unfortunately not every day. Also preparations are made to move them sometime during the next few months so this may have something to do with it (it also accounts for the Viscounts partly dismantled state).

What a good way to get your post count up! About time you did the honourable thing – and it is about time you did the honourable thing. Do the honourable thing.

Nice pics Flood,thanks for sharing.That Fury replica looks the bees knees. 😎 Nice view of the Wellington hangar aswell, I wonder what they’ll do with all the airframes in here when the hangar is renovated in the not too distant future…

The packed Wellington Hanger – tighter than Hendon but actually quite a lot lighter…;)

Flood.

Hunter E-421 with Hawker P.1127 XP984 behind…

Flood.

Vickers Varsity WF372 nose…

Flood.

BAC 111 G-ASYD, test bed…

Flood.

The complete VC10 – A40-AB – closed to the public along with Merchantman G-APEP…

Flood.

The VC10 nose test shell…

Flood.

Merchantman nose G-APEJ Ajax – crammed in with the historic airfield vehicles (behind a pasty van…).

Flood.

Missing the outer wing panels – Viscount G-APIM…

Flood.

Nose of Viscount XT575, hidden away behind G-APIM…

Flood.

The SE5A replica – F5475…

Flood.

Nose of the Vickers Viking replica G-EBED…

Flood.