Duxford Blenheim

She’s looking good now as the pictures on the duxford thread show so there may be a slim chance she may get airborne next year.

Look in the Duxford Diary thread, there are several pics of its progress there.

Rob

I only had a brief look at the state of play with the Blenheim on Sunday, but I have to say I’m impressed with how it’s moved on in the three months or so since I was last at Duxford.

So often we seem to grumble when things seem not to be making progress, but what we have to remember is that restorations and repairs to airworthiness are extremely time consuming and by their nature they HAVE to be done correctly. Seeing that the centre section has been removed from the aeroplane and the rest of the fuselage is being worked on, that’s a big step in the right direction. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the outer wings re-skinned, which would suggest there’s not a lot wrong with those structurally.

The Blenheim boys are doing a great job, but then in all honesty that doesn’t surprise me at all; they do seem to be a very resourceful bunch. 🙂

Looks like they made quite some progress indeed! Straightening out the fuselage will be one of he biggest jobs though!

Blenheim progressing well.

1st Pic is the Blenheim Mk1 nose, formerly the Blenheim car.

The restoration of the DX Blenheim appears to be going well. The pics below show how she was doing on 30 Sept. The damage to the wing shown in the final picture has been repaired as can be seen on the third from last.

The centre wing section is removed and will also need a bit of Smudge and CO’s TLC. As for the Mk 1 nose being installed, I understand that it would add 6 months to the restoration process.

KIGAS views the Forum occassionally. I think he might know a bit more than I do, if he’d care to comment.

Yes, it’s from the Blenheim nose car.

Some transformation! It’d be a sure-fire winner on “What’s my Line?”, that’s for sure! Now how on earth would you mime that lot…

Adrian

I hate to put this thread back towards where it started but….

Where on earth did they find the Mark 1 nose? Or is (was) it the car they found about 1990 built from a Mk1 Blenhein nose?

Adrian

I have to object here.
Concorde will not or never can fit in with the warbirds only ethos of Flying Legends.
Unless it’s the rare Mk.IIa version equipped by the RAF to carry cruise missiles.
Two of these were operated by 87 Sqn. for two years between 1986 and 87 at Wyton.
A..

Many a true word spoken in jest.

There was an item in one of the Battle of Britain programmes in the early seventies that referred to a study into the possible use of Concorde as a supersonic bomber! Concorde could have been a warbird and possibly still in active service!

Cheers

Dave

At Legends in the summer, the chap on the Blenheim stand said that they were seriously considering putting the Mk1 nose on it. However, I seem to remember him saying that it is not just a case of swapping the two as the controls, pilots seat etc all have to be moved to maintain the correct centre of gravity.

You can’t put a Mk1 nose on a MkIV Jackson face – it’s a completely different mounting.

I agree Robbo
The Mk.I is Sleeve Valve powered and must always remain so.
To fit the American built Mk.IV is b*stardisation of the most very crass sort.
Anyway the nostrils revolve the opposite way on the MkIV.
There’s also less less nasal hair on the Mk.IV as the whole set up runs at a much lower temperature.

I learned all this at Duxford yesterday.
My old Dad always used to say,
‘Son, you should always try and learn something new everyday’. 😀 😀 😀 😀

What a great subject for a poll – Mk1 or MkIV nose – “You Decide”

I believe there was a similar thread on a Michael Jackson messageboard…

At least he wouldn’t have qualms about going south of the river at this time of night…

What’s the chance of getting the Sunderland cranked up for a taxi slot at Legends?

That would never work, the wings will bounce off the lamposts on Saturday night, mind you, just think of all the drunks you could fit in it, whoever the lucky cabbie is who gets that instead of a Peugeot 406 will be made up with the amount of money he could make.

What a great subject for a poll – Mk1 or MkIV nose – “You Decide”
What’s the chance of getting the Sunderland cranked up for a taxi slot at Legends?

You’ll need a big paddling pool for that Robbo.

Yes, that’s right, I was talking to the people collecting money in one of the hangers at DX on Sunday to return a Concorde to flight. If it comes off, could be one of the best Legends ever!

I have to object here.
Concorde will not or never can fit in with the warbirds only ethos of Flying Legends.
Unless it’s the rare Mk.IIa version equipped by the RAF to carry cruise missiles.
Two of these were operated by 87 Sqn. for two years between 1986 and 87 at Wyton.

However the rumour I recently heard from the Midwest that the SAC museum will shortly be flying their rare RB-47 out of Omaha Nebraska on a World wide airshow tour may well have some credibility.
I was told ‘UK in July 2005’ but that might be optimistic. We’ll see.
Cheers
A..

They’re going to uglyfie the Blenheim? oh dear :(. Should be intersting to see none the less 🙂

What will happen to the MkIV nose? will they take the dials and stuff out and put it in the MkI nose, or isn’t it that simple?

Certainly be one of the most suprising Legends ever…….

Probably be at Legends. I understand that Concorde will be at Leg Ends next year as well.

Yes Concorde will be but with 4 merlin engines and a griffon in her nose 😀

Probably be at Legends. I understand that Concorde will be at Leg Ends next year as well.

The other nose was damaged by the accident, lets just see what happens