looking for restoration project for DVD / TV programme

thanks indeed to everyone for the suggestions. I’m currently following up three leads, any one of which we could easily go with. I’ll keep you informed !
🙂

How about Dave collins hornet project?

Five for the price of one. Race against time, Legends 2007. Gladiator, Spitfire XVIII, P-47G, P-40B and Mustang TF-51!

How about looking at one of the projects at Old Warden, either the P0-2 or the Prentice?

A choice of project aircraft is very much driven by budget, followed by knowledge of the type then spares availability and time scale. And I do not intend to upset or offend the owners of some of these types all of which I love dearly(aircraft that is not the owners).

For example an Auster would meet all these criteria apart from your wish for something of interest(unless a early example with wartime history were available). DH Tiger Moth have a similar mixture of materials to the Auster and most have wartime history. Both types use engines that a reasonably common.

Wooden aircraft such as various Miles/Comper/Percival/some Moth types present a bit more of a problem in terms of airframe durability/glue failure/rot(unless a well stored example can be found). But do meet the mechanical spares availability requirement, and some have history. Rebuilds can be a case of replacing all the old wood with new using the old as a pattern.

The choice of metal airframes is a bit limited to the Chipmunk or perhaps the Beagle Pup(bit new) which are ideal from a durabilty/spares point but are not scarce enough to have driven up the interest.

If you start looking at twin engined aircraft things start getting expensive, and bigger heavier trainers like the Piston Provost would see cost rise appreciably.

Some personal favourites I would like to see returned to the air are the Reid and Sigrist Desford, Short Scion, General Aircraft Monosar, Airspeed Ferry, and Saro Cutty Sark, but most of these are extinct so I can only dream of replicas. Which does raise the idea of a replica of a 1930’s type as a project such as the Chilton DW1 and Comper Swift both of which are available as plans I believe.

thanks for the suggestions everyone, keep them coming!
Rlangham : apologies, but I don’t think our budget will run to 30 grand plus transport to and from Bruntingthorpe!! lol

Take a peek at www.biggles-biplane.com and see what you think 😉

You could do the restoration of my Auster J1, although i’ll need about £30,000 to get it flying! (Including car and insurance to get me to Bruntingthorpe every day)

How about following the ex-Calais Spitfire being restored by Historic Flying. You can take it from the beginning to the end.

Cees

I think Breighton is a bit of a trip from Shepperton! Also the Lizzie is not exactly at the start of it’s restoration.

I think you may find it a struggle to find something near to Shepperton.

BTW I started making aviation videos/DVD’s when my production company was based at Shepperton too!

I can post recant photos of the Lizzie if you are interested.

have you spoken to aircraft restoration company at duxford
currently have a lysander under rebuild
it`s an original english built 1939 lizzie with good history not a canadian copy
also with the conection through to historic`s spitfires it might be worth a call

Gary why not try the Real Aeroplane Company at Breighton.They recently sold two warbirds and are now concentrating on early civil avaition. They say they are planning a significant restoration project.

we have no problem with something like a 3-year project!

Well hope you are in for a wait.As far as I know many restorations take on average 2 to 5 years to complete.Longest I have heard of is 30 odd years(Matt Dennings Boomerang).Good hunting.Maybe a works in progress one whereas the project is most of the way there where you would have to backtrack from the beginning using photos etc.