No British twins flying

Minor correction please. Kermit Week’s Sandringham is in fact a Sunderland. It was a former RNZAF MR.5 converted to passenger carrying.

So how many complete beau airframes in the UK have we got 3?

I would say 4 complete or nearly so i.e.: The Hendon, Duxford and East Fortune examples (though only the first is assembled) plus the SkySport example (G-DINT) at Hatch.

The SkySport example is based on the nose, forward fuselage, centre section, engines and u/c of the ex Halton machine plus parts (from Oz I seem to recall) including rear fuselage and I think also wings. I can’t recall the status / completeness of the wings or tail, as it’s some years since I inspected it and then the cockpit was partly restored and the rest was heavily dismantled. The SkySport website no longer shows it for sale but as in store.

interesting, i never knew that, i dont think theres any chance of a He219 ever flying again:(

both are apparently! One the FW189 is the ‘Uhu’ “Eagle owl” and the HE219 the ‘Uhu’ “owl”

I thought the He219 was named the “UHU” ?

no one seems to have mentioned the ultra rare FW189 Uhu that’s being restored to supposed flying condition here. Not British or even allied I know but significant.

So how many complete beau airframes in the UK have we got 3?

from what i understand all four of the top four are under restoration to fly
1 mosquito in new zealand
2 blenheim in the uk
3 beaufighter in the uk plus a long term project down here
4 beaufort down here as well(hopefully not to far from completion)
paul
now where dowe find a whirlwind and hornet:eek:

Let’s not forget the great work in progress by Bob Jens in Vancouver, Canada who has an ex Spartan’s Mossie well on the way to airworthiness.

…………and i believe another in Coventry which makes 4 ………….

Let’s not start hares running – the example in Coventry is at the MAM and previously was in the old Birmingham Science Museum – it comprises purely the cockpit – not even a complete nose.

Elsewhere in the UK there’s also a substantial but sectioned anonymous fuselage that’s been displayed at various locations over the years in the UK.

A friend of mine bought a pair of spitfire undercarrige legs last year from a place near Duxford and he said they had a complete beaufigter at the same place, any info on this?

I know Duxford have one, Theres the one at Hendon, One in Scotland and i believe another in Coventry which makes 4 but due to the above is there 5 complete airframes in the UK???

Skysport have a Beaufighter which I believe came from RAF Halton, I’ve no idea which mark.

IIRC, it’s been for sale for some years and I don’t think there’s any active work going on.

sorry for the confusion guy’s,btw isntthere a second beaufighter project over there in the uk? a mki iirc.
paul

I thought the Mosquito boys at Salisbury hall were looking at getting their B.35(?) mossie in the air…. some time ago I remember there being some excitement around x-raying it to spot delamination.. I know nothing, so I’ll shut up now…

Bruce!….. Bruce!…..?

IIRC, the tests were done as an experiment to see if, on principle, TA634 could be returned to an airworthy condition.

It was more of a general investigation for Mosquitos as a whole, rather than with the intention of actually doing something to that particular airframe.

Beaufighter, well that will probably not see much sky in this country if the rumours of it going to Australia are true, any more news on this? Whats the current state of play with it?

Richard

Its still being worked on… she definately had some ‘new’ work on her when i saw her at LegEnds compared to previous visits.. fresh skinning around the oil coolers and a few other little bits and pieces

Kenbo

I think there may be one Carvair still flying, a type which is four-engined and a little bit British.

I thought the Mosquito boys at Salisbury hall were looking at getting their B.35(?) mossie in the air…. some time ago I remember there being some excitement around x-raying it to spot delamination.. I know nothing, so I’ll shut up now…

Bruce!….. Bruce!…..?

Are there any mozzies that could fly in the future in this country?

Item number 3, not 3 of ’em.

Have to admit I was, momentarily, excited at the prospect of seeing pictures/film of 4 Beauforts back in the air 😮 😉 :p

Roger Smith.

DOH:rolleyes:

Item number 3, not 3 of ’em.