Rarest restorations currently underway?

Having earlier this evening just watched a slightly dated programme on PBS via Internet Tele regarding the restoration of the Q.6 G-AFFD – I was reminded that this surely is a major candidate to be top of this list – apparently the sole survivor of a innovative British design – and being restored to flight!

I totally agree, Adrian. I do like to see original paintwork – I think you get more of a feeling for the aircraft’s history than you do if it looks immaculate. I briefly knew a gentleman who had flown in them with 14 Squadron. He spoke very highly of them which took me by surprise at the time as I had only really heard of their bad reputation previously.

Another rarity in the restoration shop during our visit was B-26 “Flak Bait”.

Thank you for posting those pics, mothminor. I do hope they aren’t going to do too much and lose what I presume is the original wartime paintjob. As an Essex-based Marauder that my dad could well have seen, based at the first airfield I remember visiting, I’ve always had a soft spot for her. I’d love to see one in the air, but I doubt that’ll happen on this side of the pond.

Adrian

No one has till now, but thanks for the plug 🙂

cheers

John

I’m not suggesting grovelling thanks after every post but something along the lines of thanks for the suggestions chaps, dudes, guys, people, whatever, after a few replies would cost nothing.
If you asked directions to somewhere, would you just drive off without saying thanks?

Well put. Back on topic: did anyone mention the Stirling Project (and if so apologies for poor memory and inability to scroll back while thinking about what I was going to write).

I’m not suggesting grovelling thanks after every post but something along the lines of thanks for the suggestions chaps, dudes, guys, people, whatever, after a few replies would cost nothing.
If you asked directions to somewhere, would you just drive off without saying thanks?

One doesn’t need to travel to do proper research: many repositories offer their resources (be it online or via sales of microfilm, hard copy, CD, microfiche etc), so the ‘excuse’ of cost is no excuse; neither is plagiarism.

I think some of you are being a bit too critical of Mr. Wilkinson.
When I was 15 I subscribed to Flying magazine. I loved his work and can still recall many of his feature stories. He, and his colleagues, including James Gilbert (later owner of Pilot​​​​​​), Peter Garrison and Gordon Baxter taught me a great deal about writing as well general aviation and aviation history.

Anyway, I consider it somewhat of an honour to help him (or anyone else) by providing whatever assistance I can. After all, whatever we know aside from direct experience…which I venture to say few of us have on many facets of aviation history (unless you’re a lot older than I think you are)…we learned from various authors. So if you can provide some information, you might consider it “paying it forward”.

He’s been very generous to me, even sending an ancient book I was looking for that he had in his library.

Next month I’m off to cover a large collector car auction for two magazines, I’ll get decent money…but then the airfare and rent car expenses add up. I certainly understand Stephen’s reluctance for unnecessary travel.
But hey, I’m doing it for the experience as much as the money.

$1500 for one article? I need to get back into writing!

Me too: you can see the temptation to do it on the cheap…

$1500 for one article? I need to get back into writing!

Proctor restoration – the Aussie one (update in the newest Classic Wings, which arrived with me minutes ago), or the British ones? Or the static at Ashburton here in NZ?

Thanks airfield, I would like to see ,it but I probably won’t make it that direction till next summer. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it’s back then.

The Mercury is going away soon for the rebuild and unlikely to return to North Coates for at least 6 months or more

I find the prospect of a DH9 mouth watering. There is unlikely to be another.

With you all the way there. I’d like to see an RE.8 in regular use north of the equator and a DH.6 would be something to see if you could get someone brave enough to fly it.

I was over at Theddlethorpe in October and called by North Coates hoping to see it but unfortunately chose a day when no one was about. Always liked Miles aircraft and that one certainly is a rarity.

I find the prospect of a DH9 mouth watering. There is unlikely to be another. the only other thing that would excite me as much would be a Stirling, and if one was discovered, the RAF Museum would get it any way! Then it would be about 30 years before it went on show.

The last surviving Miles Mercury at North Coates, currently stripped down for a full rebuild to its 1950s racing days

Yeah, Chitts. I emailed a member of the team a few years ago ago and was told that they were just about to start assembly. I’d love to know what happened.

The HP42 project mentioned in post #35 is nothing more than a Walter Mitty fantasy.

Nothing to do with the thread, but about thanks.
I had a back operation a couple of years ago and the neurosurgeon was quite taken aback at the post-op appointment when I thanked him.
It seemed obvious to me – my back used to hurt and now it doesn’t, he fixed it, why wouldn’t I thank him?
Apparently most people don’t…

I have learned in my professional life that it costs me precisely nothing to say thank you to people.
It doesn’t cost me money, it doesn’t cost me face and people appreciate it.
The next time they see you they are glad to help.

I agree that this is quite an interesting thread. Thanks for all the input!

Andy