de Havilland Museum 2008 preview

I thought I would take the opportunity to give a preview of our intentions for 2008/9, and I can then update it from time to time with what we actually achieve!

As a direct result of my posts on here regarding the Trident repaint we carried out last year, a sponsor has come forward to assist us with the Comet. A private individual has covered half of the projected cost, which allows us to make a start on the aircraft. This one is going to be somewhat challenging, as it is not in good shape, and has been somewhat neglected over the years. It is without doubt, the second most significant aircraft we have on site, and a hugely significant aircraft in terms of airliner preservation.

Recently, a number of you noticed that a Merlin 134 engine from a Hornet was on Ebay, and may have been surprised by my less than enthusiastic response when a number of people suggested a fund to buy it. Well, with the help of David Collins, and the PRISM fund, we have been able to buy a different Hornet engine, complete with engine bearers and cowlings, which we expect to take delivery of shortly. I have not forgotten the suggestion of a fund to buy the other one – if we ever do build a Hornet, we will need two of them! One thing at a time however!

2009 sees the 50th anniversary of the formation of the museum. It will be 50 years since Mosquito W4050 was delivered to the site and assembled in its own small hangar. The restoration of W4050 is ongoing, but slow, and we hope to be in a position to re-cover the fuselage during the summer of 2008. We spent some time last year removing original paint from the aircraft, to get to the bottom of the original markings, and confirm some assumptions we had made regarding its history.

The main thing we hope to do during 2009 however, is to finally get TA122, our FBVI on its feet. Current jobs are to complete the overhaul of the undercarriage I started nearly ten years ago, and aim to fit the wing in the spring of next year.

With the current price of fuel, I am struggling to get to the museum as much as I used to, but have plenty of jobs to keep me going! I have a few detail jobs on the Chipmunk to complete, and will then be doing some work on the single seat Vampire, to bring it back up to scratch. I am also starting work on some of the Venom population.

A busy year ahead! I am openly seeking donations of Comet parts to help with the interior reconstruction of the aircraft, and would appeal not just to anyone who might have some, but also to anyone who knows the location of any – whether in other museums or whatever. Duxford Aviation society recently donated two mainlegs, a tailcone, and a quantity of flight controls, which will all help down the line!

Lastly, we hope for some concrete news on our new building construction plan, which will get most of our aircraft undercover at last!

Bruce