Cosford Conservation Centre Open 15th-20th Nov

Presumably if the Hampden is complete with both engines, there are wings (or at least inner wings) somewhere? I have never seen pictures of more than this rear fuselage section (and tail empennage), but in the last FP article about the aircraft it was rather implied that it would end up being a rather more complete aircraft. If so, what has happened to the rest of the machine???

I agree regarding the Wellington, if they want to demonstrate the transport/trainer end of the Wellington lineage, it seems to me that they’d be better off tarting up the rather tired looking Varsity at Cosford, and unearthing the Valetta from its hiding place… Leave the Wimpy as a bomber. As discussed before on here, an OTU scheme would better bridge that role representation gap than painting it silver.

Same here,

If someone would go to the Bomber Command hall, you would expect to see bombers, not silverpainted trainers.

Cees

Hi Robbo,

Tis a nice piece, we shall just have to wait and see about doing another one.

John

let’s hope that MAPS gets the nod to do another engine, as this will presumably mean that RAFM have had a rethink over the half and half restoration idea.

I too would prefer to see the Wimpey restored to bomber colours, but perhaps they want the silver fabric to reflect the available light in the Bomber Hall around a bit…..

I too think the Wimpey should stay as a bomber, the type’s most famous role by far, in fact I don’t even think it should be a consideration but there you go.

Says a lot to me about the dingy Bomber Hall at Hendon that even in pieces, the Wellington looks more interesting in these photos than it did for years down there in Wookey Hole!

Bennyboy
Not the best of photos I’m affraid but I was surprised to see these in the Wellingtons’ bomb bay (Don’t know why I was surprised but I was)
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Beautiful pics, of the Wellington especially. Looks like a beached whale.

What work will she need over the years, any info on that?

Pity the Hendon doesn’t have her on show for a while. Wouldn’t it be great if a conservation hangar was built at the Hendon site so that visitors could see the conservation work progress instead being carried out behind closed (at least mostly) doors

Cheers
Cees

Lovely pics Robbo…thanks very much for posting 🙂
Wish I could have got there …where is that jealous smilie ?? 😀

Thank you Aeronut.
Anybody else have any ?

Cheers

Ben

I thought you might like that photo, John. The engine’s immaculate, are there any plans for MAPS to do the other one?

Hi Robbo,

Tis a nice piece, we shall just have to wait and see about doing another one.

John

Lovely shots Robbo, thanks for sharing.
The Hampden resto looks fantastic, is there a forward section and if so will it be a complete fusalage restoration at some point?
Those forward pick-up points (?) look interesting aswel.

I’ve got this one.
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Thank you for sharing the pics Robbo.
Did you get any of the Wellington interior.

Ben

Nice to see MAPS handiwork on display…

I was told the LVG was no longer there when i asked where it was.

Any sign of the Brigand there?

Andy

the Brigand was not on view – and presumably will be a long term project. Looks as if they’ve got enough on with the Hampden and the Wellington for the next few years. Hopefully Elliott can finish the set………..

Interesting that there was a big roll of lozenge fabric on one of the tables – so I guess the LVG is next in the queue after the Dolphin

And didn’t Russia use a different type of roundel?

To which I replied yes, they are called stars.

Classic Kev.. couldn’t let that one go …!

It was very busy today, so much so that I might pop back later this week.

I don’t want to embarass anyone or upset them but one conversation I had was priceless:

I asked one of the workers there why the blue portion of the roundels on the Hampden were red. Was it a result of the oxidisation of the paint?

They replied that they weren’t sure but thought the Hampden was on its way to Russia when it was lost. And didn’t Russia use a different type of roundel?

To which I replied yes, they are called stars.

Regards,

kev35

Any sign of the Brigand there?

Andy

I to made another day of my weekend at Telford for the model show and popped in today. The Wellington made for some good referance photos as it is.

Many thanks to the management and staff for making these open days happen (And putting up with my daft questions).
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The Wellington is going to need more than just a new covering and a lick of paint.