Buchon OO-MAF: A rare sight

How many more members of the aerodrome “ton up” club will there be this year?

The former Supermarine airfield at Eastleigh (now Southampton Intl) is 100 this year
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8711000/8711292.stm

Martin

maybe he’s waiting for his dora to be finished?

Not that I’m doubting it (well perhaps;)) but has anyone ever seen an image of this aircraft in flight? I recall some taxiing pictures in FP about 10 years ago and a couple of cockpit shots, but actually in the air…

Yes I have. I have seen a video where Eric Vormezeele doing some testflights in the Buchon at Brasschaat in the late eighties or early nineties with several landings and take offs. So I have seen a video of it in the air.

Regards,

Stieglitz

Stop splitting hairs… :rolleyes:

Daz – what’s the anniversary you would like her up and about for this year?
Spanish Air Force formation??

Not that I’m doubting it (well perhaps;)) but has anyone ever seen an image of this aircraft in flight? I recall some taxiing pictures in FP about 10 years ago and a couple of cockpit shots, but actually in the air…

last time it was flown i believe is when it arrived at the field…

over 20 years ago

Not that I’m doubting it (well perhaps;)) but has anyone ever seen an image of this aircraft in flight? I recall some taxiing pictures in FP about 10 years ago and a couple of cockpit shots, but actually in the air…

I never noticed it before, but this particular Buchon has the cannon fairings and stall fences(?) that were removed for Battle of Britain. So were these reinstated during a rebuild?

No, she has not flown with the new tail.

There where plans to let the Buchon preform some engine runs during the open door, but this did not happen. The mechanics of Vormezeele had much work during the last few weeks. They have put the T28 Trojan N377WW in the air for the first time last week since it was imported from the US. After a testflight, it flew in at Braschaat on saturday and so made it’s first flying appearance for the general public. Also The Vormezeele team worked hard on the P51D Mustang PH-VDF which got airborne again for the first time after some major repairs on friday the 18th. The Mustang made a flyby at braschaat during this first flight on friday to mark the start of the the fly-inn.

So they are very busy.

Stieglitz

imo they got thier prioities wrong, obviously they own the aircraft and can do what they like with it, alot more P51’s and T28’s around then airworthy buchons…

shame but cant be helped that they neglect the aircraft (obviously she is cared for but having not flown for 20 years hardly loved) , you can almost hear her scream to get airbourne…

No, she has not flown with the new tail.

There where plans to let the Buchon preform some engine runs during the open door, but this did not happen. The mechanics of Vormezeele had much work during the last few weeks. They have put the T28 Trojan N377WW in the air for the first time last week since it was imported from the US. After a testflight, it flew in at Braschaat on saturday and so made it’s first flying appearance for the general public. Also The Vormezeele team worked hard on the P51D Mustang PH-VDF which got airborne again for the first time after some major repairs on friday the 18th. The Mustang made a flyby at braschaat during this first flight on friday to mark the start of the the fly-inn.

So they are very busy.

Stieglitz

Agree with you there Daz! Does anybody know if she has ever flown with the taller tail?

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

Good to see that, but I wish they’d get her up and about – especially given this anniversary year…. 🙁

Here is a photo from up front.

The Prop looks a bit small? or is it just the pictures?

Thanks for the gen re. her status,at least she”s in airworthy condition then, which is good,in my opinion.

yeh she was modded to ease her handling, what good it does when she is not flown is anyones guess

According to http://www.preservedaxisaircraft.com

HA-1112-M1L, WNr.201, Serial No.C.4K-131

Tail replaced by taller tail to improve directional stability. Old tail sold to owner of WNr.15343

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

Is that a later mark tail on OO-MAF? The photo on the Airshows forum appears to show a ‘regular’ Bf109 tail.

The Buchon has not flown for almost 20 years. There are no plans to fly it in 2010. But it is maintained in airworthy condition to keep all options open for the future.

Stieglitz

yes she is airworthy although very rarely flown for unknown reasons, searchs show been couple of years at least since he been flown

was brought up beginning of the year when suspected apperance at Legends

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19150&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a