I have just received a letter from a lady who was a WAAF (Met) during the war in which, apart from describing her wartime experiences, she tells of some of her activities since. Of a visit to Elvington she writes:
“Did you know that a Halifax was built at Elvington, from scratch, and we saw it once in its very early stage, then, by chance, I was at Elvington when it was completed and it was the “rolling out” day – what a marvellous achievement!”
I assume that the lady is referring to “Friday the 13th” of which there is a photo at http://www.bomber-command.info/f13elvington.htm .
I’d be grateful for any details of the project and where the aircraft is today.
In addition does anyone have any details of Gloster Meteor EE549, in which a Sqn Ldr Watterton attempted a speed record between Paris (Buc) and Northolt, possibly in autumn 1946 or spring 1947?
Brian
By: Lyffe - 16th June 2010 at 19:31
Thank you all gentlemen for your quick responses. The lady concerned has photographs of EE549, and its pilot, when it landed at Buc which, I believe, was a grass airfield at the time. She (the Meteor) didn’t look quite so glossy in 1947.
Brian
By: Creaking Door - 16th June 2010 at 19:28
I seem to remember reading that the fuselage of PN323 was once owned by one of the volunteers working to recreate ‘Friday the 13th’ (before the project was thought of) but he was forced to donate it to the IWM due to lack of storage space. The IWM were asked if it could be returned when the ‘Friday the 13th’ project got under way but the IWM declined. I hope I’ve got my facts right.
On a similar subject there are some ‘Friday the 13th’ panels on the wall of the Bomber Hall at RAFM Hendon…..are they the originals?
By: CeBro - 16th June 2010 at 17:47
If IWM would donate the nose of PN323 to YAM, the Halifax would be even more magnificent. The distorted nose glazing does distract somewhat but it’s a fantastic achievement. IIRC a book about this project is due to be out next month. Can’t wait.
Cheers
Cees
By: cometguymk1 - 16th June 2010 at 17:45
Meteor EE549 is at Tangmere aviation museum on loan from the RAF Museum
By: CIRCUS 6 - 16th June 2010 at 14:46
I’ve had a wander through it and have to say tht it’s pretty good, alot better than it’s description sounds. Great reproduction, the RAF museum ought to take note and use som e of the 85million pounds to restore the nations Halifax and restore their Stirling parts instead of building that silly monstrosity.:diablo::diablo:
By: Creaking Door - 16th June 2010 at 14:40
The ‘aircraft’ is still at Elvington and is a complex composite of original Halifax components (centre fuselage mainly) and other components. The tail section was built by (the then) British Aerospace, the wings are from a (scrapped) Hastings, the engines are former French Air Force (as fitted to the Noratlas), the main undercarriage is fabricated and the cockpit section was built (out of alloy plated wood I think?) by volunteers at Elvington.
By: Blue_2 - 16th June 2010 at 14:37
Indeed it is, wearing 158 colours port side and one of Elvington’s resident Free French squadrons on the stbd. side. And looking pretty well too 🙂
By: Peter - 16th June 2010 at 14:35
It is still at Elvington Museum, use the Search function here for more info and pics.
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June 16, 2010 at 2:21 pm