Identities of aircraft in ARCO/HFL hanger at Duxford.

Roobarb; helicopter numbers? I didn’t realise things were so bad! you need some time in area 66, a nice juicy apple will cheer you up!

Juicy apples being consumed in Area 66……….. 😮
I did 2 years of “Smudge apple consumption at close proximity” the thought of more makes me shudder!
Bring on those military eqq-whisks, even the Wokker-wokkers with their “ever so tiny so you can’t get them to underline” numbers would be a lesser punishment. Anyway I can’t drag myself away from this Aurora that needs some knitting finishing on its waggly bits…..oops :rolleyes:

Roobarb; helicopter numbers? I didn’t realise things were so bad! you need some time in area 66, a nice juicy apple will cheer you up!

Roobarb you were sworn to secrecy on that. Now I shall have to dangle you out of the door of the HP42 until you swear to toe the company line on secret projects in the future.

>>Any news on that lovely spitfire mk v?<<

Yes

Ah, but it’s all changed since you were there yesterday MM. They fitted the floats today.

>>Any news on that lovely spitfire mk v?<<

Yes

Any news on that lovely spitfire mk v?

Thanks Roobarb. I owe you a Bonio.

Well Roobarb that has certainly cleared things up.

🙂

Oh and by the way I’m a photographer and an enthusiast too, and I’ve even been seen to write down helicopter numbers 😮

Now u all can see what red meat doe’s. The nasty whirlly thing bit is true, He makes me spot them. :confused:

Well Roobarb that has certainly cleared things up.

It was reported in one of the mags, so I’m assuming it’s kosher, but of course that info could be incorrect…

Right here’s some answers!
Yes it’s having the big ugly/authentic chin cowl associated with the Vokes filter arrangement. No there won’t be a Vokes filter element inside-sorry to disappoint all the filter element spotters amongst you but it really isn’t a requirement in South Cambridgeshire at the present time, nor in the forseeable future-floats are more likely in about 200 years time……so they say! The Aurora wasn’t operating under that reg. It was an early “A” model, that’s an “87-” fiscal year serial…trouble is none of my books list them so I can’t underline it! Annual open day? Sorry the CIA won’t allow it. Yes there’s as much news in the mags as there is to print. We don’t manufacture news and they are hardly going to be interested in things like “wings now fitted to the MkXVl”. If you hang over the fence most times of the year, (and I know a lot of you who do) you will invariably see something you didn’t see last time, even if it’s just something out on the grass instead of tucked in the depths of the dingey T2. Hands up who’s got a picture of TA805? Better get near that fenceline before long guys! There’s two Broncos a Beech 18 and a Goose there right now. Got pictures of those outside? Darren you’ll be needing your shoot round-corners lens for the Goose! If we put an aircraft out on the line then its hardly “hiding it away” now is it?
Area 51…..isn’t that the ex-Jet Centre,ex-Gosh That’s Aviation Hangar at North Weald. Don’t hear much moaning about them do we, or doesn’t anyone bother to visit them. We are accomodating as we can be within the confines of being a commercial enterprise, and I know that the majority of visitors do get the full tour if time and manpower permits and that they appreciate the gesture. Just remember every minute spent giving people a tour has to be accounted for and people want their aeroplanes fixed not just filmed.
Oh and by the way I’m a photographer and an enthusiast too, and I’ve even been seen to write down helicopter numbers 😮

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

Very cutting Mr S.

But…………

I have no idea what you are on about. 😉

Mind you ARCo/HFL may be plotting, behind closed doors, to over throw the government using a flock of restored Spitfires.

Damm found out 😉
all was going well till we needed the permit to fly then disaster
the campaign against aviation found out :confused:

any one tried getting a permit in the last year ouch! 😡
we then found out we had friends in goverment who are looking into the
CAA, so had to cancel operation “plane speak” :diablo:

The subject of the contents of those blasted sheds must be the most tedious subject in vintage aviation.Andy

Funny how they’re not listed on any official map and, when questioned about the subject, government officials deny knowledge of their existence.

Maybe they’re used for clandestine “black” ops by unseen people in orange balaclavas ????

There’s a simple answer to this seemingly endless question.
A large shed load of ali-scrap–that’s the answer.
Oh, and a fine selection of data plates.

The subject of the contents of those blasted sheds must be the most tedious subject in vintage aviation.

Andy

I was told that there were difficulties associated with operating a merlin with a tropical filter in a temperate climate.

That isn’t to say it can’t or won’t be done, but there seems to be an element of engineering logic that suggests a standard airfilter should be used in the UK, especially as UK frontline squadrons didn’t use Vokes filters. But then what do I know?

Well, you probably know better than I, but then I’m only repeating what I read.

Would be nice, though, wouldn’t it?

I was told that there were difficulties associated with operating a merlin with a tropical filter in a temperate climate.

That isn’t to say it can’t or won’t be done, but there seems to be an element of engineering logic that suggests a standard airfilter should be used in the UK, especially as UK frontline squadrons didn’t use Vokes filters. But then what do I know?

Daz, is that a wish or corroborated information?

It was reported in one of the mags, so I’m assuming it’s kosher, but of course that info could be incorrect…

Not only that, but with a Vokes filter! 🙂

Daz, is that a wish or corroborated information?

Talking of ‘behind closed doors’. The annual Aeroplane magasine pilgrimage is open to anyone that wishes to pay and provides an access all areas tour with all aircraft accessible. That is to say HFL, ARCo and the private airframes. Plenty of pilots, engineers and restorers on hand to give information and answer questions about the various restorations and aircraft under maintenance.

With that sort of access made available to the public once a year, I can’t see how HFL/ARCo can be accused of operating in a secret environment. It seems more likely that they have a limited number of staff working to tight budgets and schedules and therefore cannot spare the time to deal with the numerous requests for visits or information.

We the aviation enthusiasts are able to see the delights of their hard work at numerous airshows. They remain dedicated to creating and maintaining a/c for our subsequent pleasure.

Apart from airframes that have gone abroad, we are generally able to see the fruits of their labours along the DX flightline. For those of us that are able to visit DX regularly, the flying examples are often in the public hangars on display and those that are on flight test are outside the hangar or buzzing overhead.

Given that it takes typically two to three years to rebuild a Spitfire, the photos of last years open day are still fairly representative of what is in building 425. Since then the a/c mags have reported the arrival of RW386, and a fibreglass FSM has been photographed o/s the front. What more do people need to know, apart from why does Roobarb only get fed raw meat once a week?

As there seems to be a lot of interest as to what is in said hangar. If we were to request a Forum visit, how much would you pay and what would you expect in return?

Having been to two open days and a Spitfire Society visit, my view is that the marque, food and air display of previous open days are not required as I am there to see the a/c under restoration and maintenance and to speak with engineers and pilots. Over to you what would you expect and at what price? ……….