Proctor's Restoration Update

October 08 saw the Mk 3 enter the workshop to join stablemate Mk V “HTE”. Work on stripping the Mk 3 began in earnest around December and the picture as she was in October and now gives a good idea of the rapid progress. We have been fortunate to obtain over 5,000 of the original Proctor Mk 1 to V percival drawings these are proving invaluable as the rebuilds move forward. The fuselage of the Mk 3 was separated last week andis receiving attention with new spruce longerons being fabricated to replace the broken originals. Within six weeks we should see the fuselage completely rebuilt and looking like the Mk V ready for the outer ply covering. Both centre sections are receiving the treatment and when complete the fuselages will be attached on refurbished U/C legs with new tyres. This last bank holiday weekend we had a visitor to Oakley in the shape of the lovely Vega Gull with owner David Hulme.It was sure appreciated and the sight of her overhead then parked on the grass was great to see, if ever any additional inspiration was needed to complete our proctors, this provided it. Les Miler (thumbs up) who worked on the Mk 3 at Broxbourne in the war years was there to see her, and David was kind enough to take him aloft his first ever classic Percival flight and one that he has waited for over 65 years. He got stick time and spent a good 1/2 hour aloft on a cloudless summers afternoon. With work proceeding so well we are confident that by autumn there will be two very advanced projects. Not content with these two we are currently negotiating on the purchase of a Mk 4. This airframe is 98% complete including engine in situ with prop, complete interior less a couple of instruments, and those ever elusive U/C spats.