It must be at least 7 years now since this very rare P47 has sat in a container at north weald,i was wondering about the condition it must be in at present,i know there are other containers with warbirds in but the P47 is of such interest being so rare.
Does anybody know the plans for this valuable warbird i would love to see her fly like everybody else, are there any photos out there so we can all dream of this exotic warbird in happier times.
By: mmitch - 23rd January 2004 at 20:34
Originally posted by Bigglesworth
Aren’t they due to move to Greenham Common?
Some of the site was bought last year, including an underground car park. No use trying to see the containers being opened with a spy satellite!
mmitch.
By: Yak 11 Fan - 22nd January 2004 at 21:02
Originally posted by ageorge
How many of these crates have the Arnold family got lying around ? and what are in them ?? , sounds like a treasure trove down there !!!
Not sure about the current status but these containers don’t just contain complete aircraft. I spent a weekend helping a friend clearing out the Hanger at Biggin Hill before Gold Air took it over some years ago. I think in total we filled 8 or 9 40′ containers full of aircraft parts, engines etc. There was some serious stuff about down there. As you say, a definate treasure trove.
By: Bigglesworth - 22nd January 2004 at 19:40
Aren’t they due to move to Greenham Common?
By: ageorge - 22nd January 2004 at 19:38
How many of these crates have the Arnold family got lying around ? and what are in them ?? , sounds like a treasure trove down there !!!
By: bentwingbomber - 22nd January 2004 at 19:26
Ray Stutsman made a fantastic job of this P47.
Way back in the 1980s as well, long before stock rebuilds became fashionable.
It really is only a good restoration project now though.
Shame….
By: SpitfireXIV - 21st January 2004 at 14:17
“Flying A” Razorback
I was lucky enough to have a peek inside the container a few years back, I felt very privaliged to do so considering the secrecy that seems to surround Dave Arnolds stuff. Incredible to see this P-47 cowiling staring me in the face as the container doors were opened!!…plus a neat row of eight fifty calibre’s too !!
Condition looked great back then, but that was a few years ago, so I can’t vouch for its current condition I’m afraid.
It was quite saddening to think of such a beauty being cooped up in this container, when it should have been in one piece, and preferably in the air. I think that there was about eight or nine other containers there at the time, a few Spits, Mustangs and I think a P-40.
Still I felt better after partaking in a bit of hangar flying in “Flying A’s” Spit IX, Wildcat and Hellcat that afternoon…
I guess it will be a long time before any of these birds will feel the air beneath their wings again…
Steve.
By: Jasonp51d - 21st January 2004 at 14:01
Don’t think there are any plans for her – I understand TFC did have a look at her but the high price and the fact that apparently she has blown hydraulics have put people off.
Would be lovely to see her fly in the UK with a 361st Fg yellow nose.
Jason Webb
www.361fg.com
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January 21, 2004 at 7:32 am