RAFM to loan Spitfire to Pima Museum, Tucson

All these loans are very good. But what has the RAFM received in return, it all seems a bit one way traffic ?

Hi bazv, what happened there then? I recall some discussion on this very forum where a few members that had reservations with regards to how achievable the move was without some damage, were shot down in flames by the usual knownothing brigade; all of which were (apparently) fully paid up members of the loadmasters union……..

Hi Stuart – apparently the clowns who moved the poor old Tiffie to Cosford ,badly damaged the root end of one of the main spars – I have not seen any official announcement of the damage – but on post 63 of the Canadian Typhoon Project thread there seems to be confirmation of the damage …. I shall say no more : (

Quote from the Canadian Typhoon Project thread (post #63)

From my understanding, when MN235 was moved to Cosford the wings were strapped down by the spar attachment fittings using excessive force. When the wings were re-fitted, it was realised that the fittings were out of alignment. Consideration was given to annealing the fittings and tapping them back into place, but the decision was made to drill through to re-align the pins. I haven’t been able to confirm this information through measurements, but it is what I have been told.

I think its an ideal place for her… if only a B26 could come to Hendon.

I’d be happy if there a spare B-26 to send to Hendon. 😉

I think its an ideal place for her… if only a B26 could come to Hendon.

What exactly was the ‘deal’ for the RAF Museum; a seventeen year loan (followed by an option for another seventeen years)? What was in it for the RAF Museum; apart from free storage of an exhibit that there wasn’t room for after it was donated by Spain?

I’d like to see it back in the RAF Museum; it would be a great addition to the Battle-of-Britain hall (if that hall wasn’t being emptied)…

If I remember correctly when it was sent across the Channel in 1991 it received a 2,000 hour maintenance/restoration job including corrosion treatment and a repaint. It has since been on indoor display in a controlled environment, free of charge and well cared for. Which in itself must be a bonus for the RAF Museum. IIRC the RAF Museum also received a considerable number of components from various crash site recoveries to aid ongoing restorations, in return.

Whilst I understand your sentiments re keeping it in the UK, it tells a very important story in the Netherlands. That of the 37 Dorniers in active MLD service before and during World War II in the East Indies. Amongst the many deployments they had, was one to aid the British Armed Forces in the defence of Singapore in December 1941, the evacuation of many hundreds of refugees (both military and civilian) to Australia who went on to fight for the Commonwealth forces from there, and five Do’s serving as a seperate unit in the RAAF (and a sixth on clandestine ops to New Guinea, this being the aircraft represented in the current colour scheme). I would say that as far as British history is concerned, its current location is a very fitting one to tell a story or two…

We were at Pima museum last September, They asked us and other British people if they knew anybody with a Spitfire, that would give them it. Didn’t go down well with us as we where not spitfire fans!

Dave

Now if they could only get a Vulcan….it would probably last forever in that climate.
Also, the wings would be a great shady spot on those hot summer visits. 🙂

Somebody said theres another Avro 707 at Cosford is that true?

LOL – missed that!

Looks like a good move to me. Kind of confirms the Manchester collection is closing though, despite some other reports.

It left Manchester 12 months ago

I’m thinking BazV’s comment may have been tongue-in-cheek, there was alot of debate about possible damage to the Typhoon when that loan was announced. As far as I’m aware it got there safe and sound and even had a repaint and other improvements along the way.

If the Spit XIV in question is MT847, then it’s already at Hendon and it doesn’t sound as though it has any bearing on possible outcomes at Manchester. It was in the Bomber Hall last time I was there about six months back.

I don’t see anything wrong with it being loaned out, Pima seems a top notch museum and they’ve been extremely open-minded about displaying aircraft in the colours of other nationalities, especially the UK/ Commonwealth. They have an ex-RCAF Catalina/Canso that’s being restoring in it’s original early war RCAF camouflage, a Blenhiem/Bolingbroke that has had a full restoration and two repaints in different RAF schemes…the list goes on (oh and don’t forget the efforts made with the Shackleton). A Spit would make a nice addition to “Commonwealth Corner” (my phrase). To my mind it’s just as important to promote our heritage overseas as it is to keep it going over here, especially in the US where we have had such close links in the past.

Yes must be hard for you being such a smart @rse Mike:D; and Bruce , yes I’d like to see that rubbed down, primered, topcoated, codes and stencil applied in a week, but as I’ve said before now it has been repainted if there was any damage, no one will see it.

Forgot to put the smiley thing on, you know the one that lets people know that your joking or being sarcastic etc.

Which takes what, a week?

Couldn’t have been that quick, because it was repainted.

How damaged can it have been when it was quickly assembled at the Canadian Museum?

Spitfires are very much a known quantity in any case. I would agree with the sentiment that shipping the only Mk XIV in the national collection is a little regrettable, but other than that, I see no downside.

RAFM have loaned, and continue to loan aircraft to smaller museums in the UK. Examples include the Swift and Hunter at Tangmere. If you don’t ask…

Bruce

Well lets hope they can get it there safely without the major structural damage done to the poor old Tiffy when en route to Canada :rolleyes:

Hi bazv, what happened there then? I recall some discussion on this very forum where a few members that had reservations with regards to how achievable the move was without some damage, were shot down in flames by the usual knownothing brigade; all of which were (apparently) fully paid up members of the loadmasters union……..

And what about the smaller UK museums? there are one or two that have a significant Spitfire connection (who could put one under cover) that would not get a look in.

( I did ask the RAFM if they would consider a loan, but no chance!)

But why loan the museum’s only example of the early Griffon engined fighter of the type that saw operational use during WW2 when others Spitfires were available

True…for a purist. I read the sign in front of the aircraft and it was open about it being a “bitsa” as vintage auto guys call autos with similar history.

But remember 90% of museum visitors won’t notice its shortcomings, and most of the remaining 10%…serious aircraft fans, will understand the rarity and value of WWII fighters means there are too few to go around. Even if a museum could afford a great original airframe, many would prefer it would be kept flying instead of being stuffed in a museum.

I believe their Mustang is of similar background.
I look at the glass as being half full, I’d rather have the public see a static Hurricane with reproduction parts and non-standard construction than not see one at all.

Looks like a good move to me. Kind of confirms the Manchester collection is closing though, despite some other reports.