And on to Cranfield 1971 Part Two:
This time some coverage of the technical collection. All the major exhibits in the hangar at the time appear in these pictures except for the V2. I used to have various close-ups, but they were thrown out a while back as part of an effort to reduce storage requirements. Yes, these things happen.
As it is a bit like a museum tour, I will take the pictures one by one.
A head-on shot of the Boulton Paul P.111 VT935 from the balcony. On the
left is the Fairey Ultra Light G-APJJ. The TSR-2 is poking in at the top of the picture.
Rear three quarter view of the P.111. On the right is the Me 163 and beyond that the Fairey Rotodyne pieces. These comprised if I remember correctly: a short section of fuselage at the rotorhead, an engine nacelle, and a main rotor blade (cut in half for transport from the scrapyard). As I understand it the pieces were rescued from the scrapman at very short notice.
The P.111 with yours truely on board. We were told that as it was a purely historical item we could climb in if desired (the question having been asked). The shiny panel leaning against the wall beyond the P.111 fin is a Bristol T.188 outer wing panel.
TSR-2 XR222 was brought to Cranfield after the cancellation of the project. Some small panels and other bits and pieces had not been fitted at the time of cancellation, but in some cases replacement panels were found. Some of the panels were labelled in marker with other serial numbers, so in that minor sense it can be said that XR222 is a composite aircraft. At least one website claims that the wing leading edges and wing tips were never fitted while the aircraft was at Cranfield, but the wing is plainly complete in this photograph. I don’t know what degree of completeness the aircraft achieved before it was moved to Duxford.
The TSR-2 again, with the Ultra Light trying hard to be photographed.
An attempt to display the smallness of the TSR-2 wing, but a rather poor shot.
No less than seven exhibits manage to feature in this shot. From left foreground going clockwise: Me 163, Sabre tail section, P.1121 fuselage, CF-100, P.111, Ultra Light, Sea Hawk.
Clockwise from left: Swift tail section, P.1121 unfinished wing, P.1121 nose and main fuselage sections, Sabre tail section, Sea Hawk, Me163.
A Bristol T.188 Aileron. The outer wing panel shown earlier fits into the square gap at top left. The structure looks riveted, but I am pretty sure it is actually spot-welded. The material is stainless steel and a rather heavy gauge. The airframe must have been extremely heavy.
A general view of the engine collection.
Part Three to follow later: Outside (and up in the air)
By: FMK.6JOHN - 18th May 2012 at 13:45
For those of you who like a challenge, what have the various large pieces in this picture come from? It looks like there is a TSR-2 windscreen assembly on the table at front right. I am pretty sure the horizontal wing section to the right of the TSR-2 is from an HP Victor. Then there are various large wing chunks, some possibly from a Sabre, some possibly obscurely old. Also a red wing over in the right corner from a light aircraft. Another wing this time yellow from another light aircraft (it might be attached but looks too low down for that). Also possibly a spare TSR-2 tailplane. The various small bits on the tables may be to do with the TSR-2.
Any ideas?
There is a section of EE Lightning wing/flap just hiding behing the tail tip of the P.111:D
John.
By: FMK.6JOHN - 18th May 2012 at 13:45
For those of you who like a challenge, what have the various large pieces in this picture come from? It looks like there is a TSR-2 windscreen assembly on the table at front right. I am pretty sure the horizontal wing section to the right of the TSR-2 is from an HP Victor. Then there are various large wing chunks, some possibly from a Sabre, some possibly obscurely old. Also a red wing over in the right corner from a light aircraft. Another wing this time yellow from another light aircraft (it might be attached but looks too low down for that). Also possibly a spare TSR-2 tailplane. The various small bits on the tables may be to do with the TSR-2.
Any ideas?
There is a section of EE Lightning wing/flap just hiding behing the tail tip of the P.111:D
John.
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th May 2012 at 22:48
You mean the P.111 in its current location. I sympathize, but i guess available resources being what they are, that’s life. At least it survives. Can you be instrumental in improving the situation?
I wish I could do something. It is a relatively small aircraft but in my view important and should find a space undercover……..somewhere !!! Boulton Paul designed airacraft are not “ten a penny”.
Planemike
By: Arabella-Cox - 17th May 2012 at 22:48
You mean the P.111 in its current location. I sympathize, but i guess available resources being what they are, that’s life. At least it survives. Can you be instrumental in improving the situation?
I wish I could do something. It is a relatively small aircraft but in my view important and should find a space undercover……..somewhere !!! Boulton Paul designed airacraft are not “ten a penny”.
Planemike
By: Supermarine305 - 17th May 2012 at 22:16
The background to Cranfield’s acquisition of German equipment is described in that excellent work “War Prizes” by Phil Butler in which he mentions that Cranfield was allocated complete Ju388L-1/V6 W Nr 500006 some time between 1946 and 1948. It was subsequently scrapped there. So perhaps the engine you highlight came from that airframe.
Tim
Thank you. That would make a lot of sense.
However that doesn’t answer were that engine is now? Is it still in the UK as I can’t find anything about one that is. It would be a very rare as a survivor of its type and as a substantial chunk of Ju 388.
Edit: Found this in this thread:
W&R 1961 makes no mention of a Beaufighter front fuselage at Cranfield. Perhaps this is the one listed as being at Halton in 1961? ‘The Captive Luftwaffe’ (K.S.West) mentions Ju 388K-O (AM No. 83) being on display at Cranfield in 1948 and says that: “as late as 1967 the College retained the starboard nacelle and undercarriage, plus the tailwheel assembly”. It would be interesting to have input from others concerning the presence of Lancaster PW932 – I have not yet traced any reference to this – and the Ansons and the Varsity.
Willip’s post only goes to show the value of spotters’ notes of nearly 50 years ago!
By: Supermarine305 - 17th May 2012 at 22:16
The background to Cranfield’s acquisition of German equipment is described in that excellent work “War Prizes” by Phil Butler in which he mentions that Cranfield was allocated complete Ju388L-1/V6 W Nr 500006 some time between 1946 and 1948. It was subsequently scrapped there. So perhaps the engine you highlight came from that airframe.
Tim
Thank you. That would make a lot of sense.
However that doesn’t answer were that engine is now? Is it still in the UK as I can’t find anything about one that is. It would be a very rare as a survivor of its type and as a substantial chunk of Ju 388.
Edit: Found this in this thread:
W&R 1961 makes no mention of a Beaufighter front fuselage at Cranfield. Perhaps this is the one listed as being at Halton in 1961? ‘The Captive Luftwaffe’ (K.S.West) mentions Ju 388K-O (AM No. 83) being on display at Cranfield in 1948 and says that: “as late as 1967 the College retained the starboard nacelle and undercarriage, plus the tailwheel assembly”. It would be interesting to have input from others concerning the presence of Lancaster PW932 – I have not yet traced any reference to this – and the Ansons and the Varsity.
Willip’s post only goes to show the value of spotters’ notes of nearly 50 years ago!
By: Consul - 17th May 2012 at 21:48
The background to Cranfield’s acquisition of German equipment is described in that excellent work “War Prizes” by Phil Butler in which he mentions that Cranfield was allocated complete Ju388L-1/V6 W Nr 500006 some time between 1946 and 1948. It was subsequently scrapped there. So perhaps the engine you highlight came from that airframe.
Tim
By: Consul - 17th May 2012 at 21:48
The background to Cranfield’s acquisition of German equipment is described in that excellent work “War Prizes” by Phil Butler in which he mentions that Cranfield was allocated complete Ju388L-1/V6 W Nr 500006 some time between 1946 and 1948. It was subsequently scrapped there. So perhaps the engine you highlight came from that airframe.
Tim
By: Supermarine305 - 17th May 2012 at 18:19
And on to Cranfield 1971 Part Two:
A general view of the engine collection.
Part Three to follow later: Outside (and up in the air)
A little bit of thread necromancy here but bear with me, I’m a noob.:p
The engine in the top right corner of the above picture caught my eye. That’s very rare a BMW 801TJ (I am nearly completely sure of this)http://www.preservedaxisaircraft.com/Luftwaffe/Engines/bmw801tj_dm.jpg
Assuming the NASM’s Ju388 came with its two engines, is this engine one of the two listed in preservedaxisaircraft.com as now being in Germany, or a different engine completely? And if so, where is it now?
By: Supermarine305 - 17th May 2012 at 18:19
And on to Cranfield 1971 Part Two:
A general view of the engine collection.
Part Three to follow later: Outside (and up in the air)
A little bit of thread necromancy here but bear with me, I’m a noob.:p
The engine in the top right corner of the above picture caught my eye. That’s very rare a BMW 801TJ (I am nearly completely sure of this)http://www.preservedaxisaircraft.com/Luftwaffe/Engines/bmw801tj_dm.jpg
Assuming the NASM’s Ju388 came with its two engines, is this engine one of the two listed in preservedaxisaircraft.com as now being in Germany, or a different engine completely? And if so, where is it now?
By: HP111 - 14th May 2012 at 16:15
And on to Cranfield 1971 Part Two:
…..
For those of you who like a challenge, what have the various large pieces in this picture come from? It looks like there is a TSR-2 windscreen assembly on the table at front right. I am pretty sure the horizontal wing section to the right of the TSR-2 is from an HP Victor. Then there are various large wing chunks, some possibly from a Sabre, some possibly obscurely old. Also a red wing over in the right corner from a light aircraft. Another wing this time yellow from another light aircraft (it might be attached but looks too low down for that). Also possibly a spare TSR-2 tailplane. The various small bits on the tables may be to do with the TSR-2.
Any ideas?
By: HP111 - 14th May 2012 at 16:15
And on to Cranfield 1971 Part Two:
…..
For those of you who like a challenge, what have the various large pieces in this picture come from? It looks like there is a TSR-2 windscreen assembly on the table at front right. I am pretty sure the horizontal wing section to the right of the TSR-2 is from an HP Victor. Then there are various large wing chunks, some possibly from a Sabre, some possibly obscurely old. Also a red wing over in the right corner from a light aircraft. Another wing this time yellow from another light aircraft (it might be attached but looks too low down for that). Also possibly a spare TSR-2 tailplane. The various small bits on the tables may be to do with the TSR-2.
Any ideas?
By: David Burke - 12th May 2012 at 12:09
In the case of the BP-111 – I think it can only be a case of will! Less deserving aircraft have arrived since the BP-111 and been hangared .
By: David Burke - 12th May 2012 at 12:09
In the case of the BP-111 – I think it can only be a case of will! Less deserving aircraft have arrived since the BP-111 and been hangared .
By: Arabella-Cox - 12th May 2012 at 11:19
You mean the P.111 in its current location. I sympathize, but i guess available resources being what they are, that’s life. At least it survives. Can you be instrumental in improving the situation?
Should be at Cosford in the dry.
curlyboy
By: Arabella-Cox - 12th May 2012 at 11:19
You mean the P.111 in its current location. I sympathize, but i guess available resources being what they are, that’s life. At least it survives. Can you be instrumental in improving the situation?
Should be at Cosford in the dry.
curlyboy
By: HP111 - 12th May 2012 at 08:44
It is a crime that this significant unique aircraft is allowed to remain outdoors for over 25 years in all weathers.
Planemike
You mean the P.111 in its current location. I sympathize, but i guess available resources being what they are, that’s life. At least it survives. Can you be instrumental in improving the situation?
By: HP111 - 12th May 2012 at 08:44
It is a crime that this significant unique aircraft is allowed to remain outdoors for over 25 years in all weathers.
Planemike
You mean the P.111 in its current location. I sympathize, but i guess available resources being what they are, that’s life. At least it survives. Can you be instrumental in improving the situation?
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th May 2012 at 22:37
Here are some I caught outside.
It is a crime that this significant unique aircraft is allowed to remain outdoors for over 25 years in all weathers.
Planemike
By: Arabella-Cox - 11th May 2012 at 22:37
Here are some I caught outside.
It is a crime that this significant unique aircraft is allowed to remain outdoors for over 25 years in all weathers.
Planemike
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