Meant to post these before but have had problems working out my Photobucket account.
On 11 June the Guild of Aviation Artists visited the De Havilland Heritage Centre and I tagged along with a couple of friends who are members. The museum wanted to move TA634 to put the two Mosquitos in either corner of the hangar to provide a better vista for visitors – a great idea but not quite as easy as it sounds.
First off move one Mosquito
But having got outside there is nowhere to go so back in a bit.
and move the Dove and Chipmunk
But not Charles Thompson
Think the Vampire ate the artist but obviously didn’t fancy the chair.
While 634 basks in the sunshine
and TA122 enjoys a bit of space in the hangar
Back we go
and several hours later it is job done
Sorry if these aren’t up to the standard of some here but this was 3rd time out with my newly acquired EOS20D and I am still learning how to use it.
By: Bruce - 17th August 2011 at 17:52
W4050 is making steady progress. The fuselage fabric has been removed, and shows the airframe to be in excellent condition, apart from a few storage bumps from its time in store in Hatfield, and at Salisbury Hall with de Havilland.
There is no rush – as Tony says, it is a unique prototype, and it is better to do it right than do it fast!
Bruce
By: WJ244 - 17th August 2011 at 17:29
As Bruce said it is a very small site which never had a runway as the prototype Mosquito wnet to Hatfield for the first flight but over the years thay have worked really hard to get a hangar up although they really need a bit more space.
There didn’t seem to be much happening with the prototype Mosquito. I think it is a slow but sure restoration making sure that everything is carefully recorded along the way. After all they are dealing with a unique prototype which hasn’t been dismantled for a very long time.
By: Fouga23 - 17th August 2011 at 17:00
How’s the prototype restoration going?
By: Bruce - 17th August 2011 at 16:59
Yes, its a very small site – barely room to swing a cat!
As with most volunteer museums in the UK, it also doesnt have a lot of money.
Bruce
By: ZRX61 - 17th August 2011 at 16:51
Its unlikely that the aircraft would be made airworthy; it could be done, but then it wouldnt be at the museum, and a major draw is lost.
Bruce
I’ve not been there, I take it there’s a lack of runway?
By: WJ244 - 16th August 2011 at 20:37
Bet all those budding artists were well pleased when their subjects got moved!!!!!
There was quite a mix of budding and very well known artists. Everyone was told at the start of the day that some aircraft would be moving but I don’t think even the museum staff realised just how much work was going to be needed as everything that they moved seemed to get in the way of something else – not an uncommon problem when moving aircraft in a confined space. Someone did remark that I got the best part of the deal as all the movements improved the photo opportunities no end and those I posted here were just a few of those I took during the day.
I have been a guest (through a friend) at several of the Guild days out over the past couple of years and even though I readily admit to having minimal artistic ability and just wander around with my camera I have always found them to be a friendly welcoming group.
By: Bob - 16th August 2011 at 19:44
Bet all those budding artists were well pleased when their subjects got moved!!!!!
By: Bruce - 16th August 2011 at 19:15
Indeed, I’d rather practice on a big empty field before having to work down to 2″ though.
Its unlikely that the aircraft would be made airworthy; it could be done, but then it wouldnt be at the museum, and a major draw is lost.
Bruce
By: ZRX61 - 16th August 2011 at 18:38
The tug works, but it isn’t the best way of moving the aircraft in such a tight space. There is very little room for manoeuvre.
The Mossie could be made airworthy, but it would need major replacement of original material, and an awful lot of money!
Bruce
Just need practice is all, I’ve moved P51’s & T6’s around with 3-4in clearance on the wing tips without scratching em 😉
As for the Mossie.. are you saying if someone were to step up with the cash it would be made airworthy & actually fly?… or would it be a “Kermit Restoration” where everything works, but it remains glued to the hangar floor?
By: PeterVerney - 16th August 2011 at 10:49
Thanks for the pic of the Weeks Mosquito. I remember going up to Booker to watch progress on the restoration by PPS. I believe they flew it out which was a brave move.
By: WJ244 - 16th August 2011 at 10:26
Thanks Bruce. I must admit space was very tight and a wrong move could very easily have damaged the Mosquito. Thinking about it for much of the move there probably wasn’t even enough room to get the tug attached to the aeroplane.
By: Agent K - 16th August 2011 at 07:42
Kermits Mossie still resides at the EAA Museum at Oshkosh, not flyable currently and don’t know of the plans. Attached is a picture taken at the end of July when it was taken outside during the airshow week.
By: Bruce - 16th August 2011 at 07:02
The tug works, but it isn’t the best way of moving the aircraft in such a tight space. There is very little room for manoeuvre.
The Mossie could be made airworthy, but it would need major replacement of original material, and an awful lot of money!
Bruce
By: WJ244 - 15th August 2011 at 22:05
Seem to remember some discussion amongst the artists about a tug. We came to the conclusion that it was a non working exhibit.
about 15 years ago I visited with a friend from Revell to ,take measurements for a plastic kit and we were told TA634 would be undergoing ultra sound surveys to look at the viability of returning her to airworthiness but nothing seemed to come of it so I assume that there were glue problems.
By: Bruce - 15th August 2011 at 18:30
Yes – and No!
Bruce
By: ZRX61 - 15th August 2011 at 17:59
Any reason that Mossie can’t be made to fly?
& on a more pertinent note… did they not have someone present who knew how to drive the tug? 😉
By: Bruce - 15th August 2011 at 16:22
Its a long walk from Radlett station.
Train to St Albans, and then No 84 bus will drop you outside, but check running times.
Bruce
By: Jayce - 15th August 2011 at 16:10
The one major museum I have not been to yet – what is the easist way to get there on the train from London? I must go and have a look!
There’s a station in nearby Radlett but you’d still have to walk a mile or so. Alternatively, stay on at Radlett and get off at Hatfield/St. Albans. It’s further away but there might be a bus route.
By: SADSACK - 15th August 2011 at 15:17
re;
The one major museum I have not been to yet – what is the easist way to get there on the train from London? I must go and have a look!
By: WJ244 - 15th August 2011 at 11:15
Good to see the mossie outside again 🙂 remember last time we moved it
The talk was that this was intended to be a one time only move so I was very lucky to be there by pure chance.
I did offer to send the museum copy pictures for their website but it was made quite clear their archivist would be along shortly and would be taking all the pictures that they needed. The pleasant lady in the gift shop asked me a little later how much I intended to charge them for pictures to put on the website. I was happy to tell her that the offer came with no charge as I would have been more than happy to help a group who put in a lot of work under difficult conditions.
Great little set. I have a 20D too, capable camera!
Thanks. I bought the 20D because it seemed better built and better value than going for a new lower spec Canon with a plastic body. It is taking a bit of getting used to after 30 plus years using film cameras. If my film cameras were like flying a Tiger Moth then the 20D is a bit like the Starship Enterprise with loads of buttons and modes to learn. I have made a few real howlers along the way but it is getting there and at least the mistakes don’t cost a fortune in wasted film even though I have managed to mess up one or two unrepeatable shots.
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August 14, 2011 at 11:01 pm