Visited the MBCC again this week during their open week.
Good to see the progress on the Wellington although there didn’t seem to be any clues apparent about it’s future colour scheme yet. Work has also started on repairs to, detailing of, and the recovering/refinishing of, the LVG C.VI. Finally progress on the Hampden is visible for all to see with the tail section completed (in DG/DE/N colours) and work now about to start on the boom. This may possibly involve splitting it into it’s two constituent halves for repairs – although I wouldn’t like to be the one who has to drill out all those rivets on the top and bottom closing u-channel. It was also good to see that considerable progress has been made on the new-build nose – such a shame that the nose transparency was gifted away before this recovery. The wings are going to be quite a challenge though as they don’t seem to have much original material to start with – unless somebody finds something at the bottom of a fjord or at a remote location in Northern Russia
Was suprised to see the Spit PRXIX back from the Gulf – although it seem that this is only for some remedial work before it is sent out there again. I wonder why it couldn’t have been done “in theatre”.
Also Interesting to see a powered aerodynamic test model for the Miles M52 being restored.
By: Alan Clark - 17th November 2015 at 13:47
The Jags were out on Tuesday afternoon as well, though only two of them including the final flight aircraft.
By: Hartmann - 17th November 2015 at 12:26
I went on the Monday and getting out of the car jet engines could be heard. to my surprise and delight four Jaguars out on the field including the specially marked final flight Jaguar coloured one which some lucky person was taxing around. a great start to a good day.
By: Alan Clark - 17th November 2015 at 00:25
According to the people working on the Wellington, about four years, when it was first moved there I was told it would be a seven year project so I am presuming they are still more or less on schedule.
By: Oxcart - 16th November 2015 at 23:02
I wish I’d known that it closed at one
went there on Tuesday and was too late-still, nice drive, I suppose!
By: Southern Air99 - 16th November 2015 at 21:33
What’s the latest on the Wellington? is there any word on how long it will take to complete for display?
By: Robert Edward - 16th November 2015 at 20:37
The RAF Museum have “Tweeted” several photos from the event, here is a link to one of the Hampden centre section:
By: Robert Edward - 16th November 2015 at 20:19
The publishing of photographs is discouraged, there was a sign stating this, or words to that effect. I was there on the Wednesday, I have been to several previous events, and think that progress being made is impressive. The Hampden is really progressing well, the staff clearly enjoy their work.
By: Alan Clark - 16th November 2015 at 20:14
I visited on Tuesday, and took photos (though there were notices about photography was only for personal use, I guess putting them on here would probably stay within most definitions of that), I was also surprised to see the Spitfire in there, the last time I saw it was over three years ago in their paint shop having its final coat applied. Progress on the Wellington was good to see and it was good to talk again with some of the people involved in the work.
I had to ask what the M52 model was, I saw from the diagram it was something rocket powered but beyond that was a little clueless.
By: Mr Merry - 16th November 2015 at 19:54
Did anyone take photos? I would to see some.
By: warhawk69 - 16th November 2015 at 19:44
I had a great time there on Wednesday too. Took in the Nimrod R1 tour which was well worth the £5. I was told by a chap who had asked about the Spitfire that it had been sent over as deck cargo and has some corrosion because of it.
By: Tin Triangle - 13th November 2015 at 16:40
Agreed, I went on Wednesday and very much enjoyed my first visit. The Hampden tail looked extremely impressive, with all the rudder and elevator linkages fully connected up. The centre fuselage was also pretty much all fitted out with systems.
The Wellington’s outer wings look all done and dusted, but there’s plenty of work remaining on the centre section and fuselage.
It was particularly encouraging to talk to the young apprentices about their work, and see their evident enthusiasm for preservation 🙂
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November 13, 2015 at 3:03 pm