The Living Museum Exhibition in St James’s Park has a Spit XVI and Firefly as previously reported.
Evelyn Tentions formerly an IWM airframe based at an airfield near Cambridge is now with the Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovilton. It was great to see her out in the open air again.
The Spit, presumed to be RW393, was taken from RAFM store at Stafford and given a thorough overhall to top notch static condition at the RAFM restoration Centre at Cosford. The man on the stand from the RAFM stated that the a/c used to be the CO’s hack and as such was painted all over white.
Next week the Spit will be dis-assembled and transported to RAFM Hendom and stored until mid September when it is hoped that she will be put on display again for a few days around the 17th.
A longer term wish is that the Spit takes over the former duties of the Abingdon Flight and is put on static display at various events. These plans are subject to available manpower as the Valiant, Blue Steel Missile and Sabre? are due to be dismantled and moved to Cosford, then re-assembled in the new hangar. At Hendon new airframes and a reorganisation will fill the spaces.
Many thanks to the man from the RAFM for all the info. Apologies for forgetting your name.
A few pics for your delectation will follow shortly
By: merlin70 - 7th July 2005 at 12:57
The exhibition has been closed due to the London bombings. I shall not have any further photo opportunities unless it reopens later today.
A surreal eariness has decended upon the Capital. Many side streets are deserted. People are venturing out to the sandwich bars but with helicopters overhead, Police cars racing past every few minutes and Police vans packing the road side, this is no normal day.
By: Mark12 - 7th July 2005 at 12:39
Perhaps because…
So why paint it as “TB675”?
…it is an ‘end of the war scheme’, albeit in an inappropriate gloss finish.
Mark
By: G-ORDY - 7th July 2005 at 12:17
So why paint it as “TB675”?
By: JonathanF - 7th July 2005 at 10:21
…and the Firefly was also ex-Skyfame before the IWM acquired it, so the main thanks for its preservation should go to Peter Thomas.
Sad to think it flew to the UK from Sweden, but was grounded, still, nice to see it out & about and in a good scheme.
Not a correction at all James, but IWM still own the Firefly.
By: Hatton - 7th July 2005 at 10:12
I agree with Hatton (I don’t think he went to the USA at all. I think he was in prison for a while…) 😀
Indeed, still sore about it too 😀
By: taylorman - 7th July 2005 at 08:04
Great pics 😉
By: merlin70 - 7th July 2005 at 07:36
Tim, did you see an Auster as well?
No, but I will have a look for one today. The sky is dark grey and the rain is intermitant, but I hope there will be some photo opportunities later.
aj-march – I’ll ask the guy from RAFM.
By: JDK - 6th July 2005 at 23:50
…and the Firefly was also ex-Skyfame before the IWM acquired it, so the main thanks for its preservation should go to Peter Thomas.
Sad to think it flew to the UK from Sweden, but was grounded, still, nice to see it out & about and in a good scheme.
Great idea for a display – I agree with Hatton (I don’t think he went to the USA at all. I think he was in prison for a while…) 😀
Tim, did you see an Auster as well?
By: merlin70 - 6th July 2005 at 22:20
😀
Thanks for the pics Tim. Nice to see one of the stored Spitfire airframes seeing the light of day.
Just one question, is the Spitfire pole-mounted? .
Neither the Poles nor the Czechs were not on display when I was there 😀
By: merlin70 - 6th July 2005 at 22:18
Nice 🙂
Daz I’ll see about getting you some from closer quarters tomorrow. The pocketmatic is only 5mp with a limited zoom which doesn’t show the uniquities of this particular a/c.
By: stewart1a - 6th July 2005 at 22:14
Great Photos Long time Since ive seen the Firefly.
By: DazDaMan - 6th July 2005 at 22:13
Nice 🙂
By: stewart1a - 6th July 2005 at 22:13
Not the Audi again lol!
By: merlin70 - 6th July 2005 at 22:11
I only took the pocket instamatic with me today. If I get a chance I will pop out at lunchtime tomorrow with the heavy armament 😉 .
By: stewart1a - 6th July 2005 at 21:58
Tim,
where are they?
By: Hatton - 6th July 2005 at 21:57
I know a lot of people weren’t very happy that the VE/VJ anniversaries were not recieveing seperate events (including myself I might add to some degree) but I must admit this living history idea and the events scheduled for the weekend seem every bit, if not more, as prominent and well thought out as the 50th anniversary. Must admit, im rather impressed. Due to the fact i can’t get down to Duxford on Sunday, I know where i’ll be instead!!
By: Der - 6th July 2005 at 21:54
Ive checked back in my old photos and yes, I stand corrected. It wasnt on a pole, but it was sitting with its tail up like the Lanc at Hendon.
By: merlin70 - 6th July 2005 at 21:48
Pics the full monty. Especially for Robbo.
By: Mark12 - 6th July 2005 at 21:06
Higher perches.
Thanks Merlin 70
I can see the pole. It is behind the Spitfire in photo 2 and they have yet to mount it.
I see they have bought along spare rudder and elevator.
Mark
By: merlin70 - 6th July 2005 at 20:24
Pics as promised.
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July 6, 2005 at 7:51 pm