East Fortune Museum of Flight Beaufighter(2005)

They could always donate/swap the engines to help get the Duxford Beufighter Airbourne.

Many thanks. This aircraft was once in the Institute where I am now, so my interest in it.

best,

It is on display in the storage hanger now that the B707 has moved.

Hi

Is there any update on the status of this aircraft?

Robert- I have had a spring clean -try to PM me again please!

David your message box seems to be full, I will reply when I can get through!!! Thanks for the help.

Sounds about right for Scottish aviation forums these
days… 😡

Indeed. It is sad when a moderator has to delete posts and threads because of the behaviour of certain individuals and their inter-city battles 🙁

Oldtimer2

East Fortune used to have a discussion board, but Grant axed it a couple of years back due to some very acrimonious posts, by a few regular offenders.

Sounds about right for Scottish aviation forums these
days… 😡

I’ll start at East Fortune on Monday 10th (see my other post about me being the new Assistant Curator)

Good luck with this RA! Any chance of a Shorts Belfast
going on display.?

I took this shot of the last flying version in Cairns, Australia.
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=394119

Hi all,
Just want to add my five pennies worth.The engine on ‘my’ Spitfire (it was mine when i worked there) is in no condition to be run up as there is still work needing done to her despite the ammount of work and new parts I put on her Merlin. The fuel tanks and lines are needing totally replaced and there was some corrosion needing looked at in the undercarriage bays and on the undercarriage.I for one would be more than happy to spend my days off working on her.

Weegie

Robert.
Small point about the Spit. I’ve been visiting MOF since about 1976, and dont remember any engine runs ever being carried out. I know it was talked about at one point.

I am pretty certain that, although substantial work was carried out with that goal in mind, the Merlin was never actually run. The project was abandoned at some point – probably mid to late 80s.

East Fortune used to have a discussion board, but Grant axed it a couple of years back due to some very acrimonious posts, by a few regular offenders.

Look forward to seeing you at the Microlight sight AGeorge. I dont know if you have seen the chat about the East Fortune Museum I posted a few photos from the Old days. :diablo: However perhaps you were a bit young then. Does GBWEZ1 remeber anything about the Spitfire having an engine run I seem to think it was before he arrived

[QUOTE=Robert Whitton]
Anyway East Fortune is still a good place to visit no matter how much I moan about recent Concordeitis. I fly nearby every couple weeks as I attempt to learn to fly in my little red microlight and have being visiting since APSS started in 1971 Have seen great progress at times.

Hi Robert , I flew from EF between 1990-94 , before there were any hangars , all we had was the “Bubble” hangar and an old static caravan as a cafe ! . I flew with George Brunton in a Mainair Gemini Flash 2 ( was G-MNUZ – cancelled now ) . I will start with Gordon this year sometime so hopefully I’ll meet you for a cuppa tea , tell Gordon I was asking for him and I will be back soon . Thanks

Alastair

Might be a bit warmer Robert, it’s minus 30 here today. Not sure I could handle the damp though :rolleyes:

I dont suppose that G-BWEZ1 would like to return to East Fortune to work on the Beaufighter?? 🙂

All (understandable) frustrations aside, personally I am very glad these aircraft still exist. Yes, it’s a big shame that they were parked outside. But better than to be scrapped due to lack of space. That’s what usually happened.

I heard once that a technical university in Delft, The Netherlands, had an interesting collection of Japanese aircraft, captured after WW2. In the 1950s or so, they were in such bad state that when the university needed more space, they were simply scrapped… How truly sad is that! 🙁 We could have had a whole Japanese collection here in Europe…
(Note: I can’t confirm this story in any way. I just heard it from my aeronautical teacher when I was studying aero engineering. The only type he could remember was an Aichi floatplane… How many of those are still remaining these days… 🙁 )

Japanese aircraft, don’t think so

They did have Mustangs, Thunderbolts, a Lightning, A Tempest, Spitfires, a Mosquito, Stirling bits, Wellington fuselage frame, B-17. A real treasure trove and although a lot of these were scrapped, some bits were saved (remember Spitfire PL344, Mosquito TA122 and Tempest of which the serial escapes me a the moment but it is under rebuild for Kermit Weeks).

Cees

The Royal Scottish Museum had a complete Parnall Panther and Avro 504 until the 1940’s… then they scrapped them (just the engines & selected parts remain at the Museum of Flight)

All (understandable) frustrations aside, personally I am very glad these aircraft still exist. Yes, it’s a big shame that they were parked outside. But better than to be scrapped due to lack of space. That’s what usually happened.

I heard once that a technical university in Delft, The Netherlands, had an interesting collection of Japanese aircraft, captured after WW2. In the 1950s or so, they were in such bad state that when the university needed more space, they were simply scrapped… How truly sad is that! 🙁 We could have had a whole Japanese collection here in Europe…
(Note: I can’t confirm this story in any way. I just heard it from my aeronautical teacher when I was studying aero engineering. The only type he could remember was an Aichi floatplane… How many of those are still remaining these days… 🙁 )

East Fortune

Thanks for letting me air my frustration about the East Fortune Museum. My suggestion about the Comet was a bit off beam but I was attempting to indicate that a bit of focus was required. I dont have a problem with a Dan Air Comet but Duxford have one but I am more concerned about the deterioration due to lack of work when there are people able and willing to do the work. Personally if there was a plan that people could work to even if they might diagree about the final colours an airfarme was in, I think renovation and protection against the elements are the important aspects to be worked on. In 1971 the APSS at East Fortune worked in sub zero conditions to help to put the Sea Vampire together using bales of straw, wooden pallets and a hoist. We all accept that the world has moved on and safety is important but at least chicken wire in wheel bays will keep out the birds. Just look closely at the Canadian Beaufighter it has good old chicken wire!!!

Anyway East Fortune is still a good place to visit no matter how much I moan about recent Concordeitis. I fly nearby every couple weeks as I attempt to learn to fly in my little red microlight and have being visiting since APSS started in 1971 Have seen great progress at times.

Its a pity that the farmer earns so much from the Sunday Market as an active main airfield would do much for the museum. (It would also give me more space to land in!!! but I am told that 500 feet should be enough. Anyway have to go to sleep having been out for a few soft drinks in Edinburgh. Luckily no flying lessons tomorrow. If I can manage to press the right buttons a few pics of East Fortune from the air should be displayed. Note the Vulcan and the Comet. They are used by the RAF as targets and if you have ever been at 1000ft AGL and seen a F15 or Tornado below you at 250AGL you will know why microlight pilots have brown trousers.
I know Concorde came in by road but this is Concorde landing at Turnhouse for the last ever time. At least I managed Mach 2 in it a few years before.
Opps this seems to be getting a bit off the subject matter. perhaps I should start an East Fortune discussion thread but would it be Historical Aircraft, General Aviation or What!!!