New H.p.42 Project – 'imperial 42'

I had an excellent day at the Old Warden D-Day show, and the Imperial 42 project stand was there. Even though I have seen them a few times before, they seem to have something new every time! Its just nice to see something different for a change, rather than the normal stands with the same old stuff! Has anyone else enjoyed their display, I would certainly urge you to if you havent already.

Brilliant day at Popham, not just because I got some aircraft bits and pieces but because the Imperial 42 stand was there, and I was very pleased to hear the progress made by the team.

Their ideas regarding the building and operating of the aircraft seem very realistic when they explained it to me. The aircraft looks like it will be very close to the original, which I don’t think was the case with the other team mentioned before.

I believe the stand will also have some more changes soon, I look forward to seeing what they come up with next – roll on the Great Vintage Flying Weekend!!

I made it to Popham, shame about the weather, but well worth it for the ‘Imperial 42’ display. The tent was something else – it had a good history of Imperial Airways, loads of project and HP42 info, aircraft/engine models, etc. Best of all was the images-both stills and also film I had not seen before! They also played background music from the era which really topped off a brilliant display.

I’ll definately be going to the vintage flying weekend in a couple of weeks to see them again.

In that case I think I should also make a trip to Popham in a couple of weeks. I went last year, and it was a nice day out anyway.

From what I have seen on the website and heard from this forum, I will have to make a trip to Popham to see them as well!!

Yes the April 1st things did hit me too. Would love to see one of these airbourne again, would make a change from all those spits;) . Perhaps they should do a search for G-AAGX lost over the Persian Gulf?
The membership does seem like a bargain at £15. I will have to check them out at Popham in a few weeks.Lets hope it gets further than the HP V/1500 replica that was started in the 80’s? After that can we have a Empire flying boat replica??

I too saw the H.P.42 stand at Woburn, but that was a different group (I think they may have gone in to oblivion since then as I also joined their club, but apart from getting a membership card and a few sheets of paper when I joined, I have received nothing since and that is almost a year now!). If you thought they came across very professional and heads screwed on, then their knowledge was nothing compared with the display and information given for the new project by Team Merlin at Croydon the other week. Now I know who is doing the new project I can also say that they were the ones which had a brilliant Imperial stand last year at the Shoreham RAFA Airshow which would simply have blown you away! It had drapes in the ceiling, pot plants, old posters, and loads of photos I hadn’t seen before, and really made you think you had traveled back to the 1930s! I believe they will be around the airshow circuit this year, so try and see them if you can, it’s well worth it.

I also joined the project club (Club Imperial) a few weeks ago, and that is just about the best club (and value for money) you could wish for – nice booklets, gorgeous club badge, and so on.

Hurray Team Merlin!!…Boo the others!! (can’t remember their name off hand)

P.S. I’m sure they would have preferred not to launch on 1st April, but you would have to blame the British Government for forming Imperial on that date!

They had a stall at Woburn last year and I’d agree they certainly know what they’re on about and the size of the task ahead. Came across very professional and heads screwed on.
If they can get it all to come together it should be a fantastic project.
OAW

Project launch date 1st April 2004…?

That said, I’d heard a few years ago that there had been some serious interest in re-creating an HP42. It got as far as a figure being quoted…