RESTORATION UPDATES

What’s A and C? In about six months time when i have transport i may be able to come down about once a month to help out, if a 17 year old can do any help

Is there anybody out there who would like to help with TFC restorations and maintenance? Preferably with A & C.

Hi all – from Warbirds Registry – it is indeed a p40M

History:
Delivered to RAF as 840.
Vance B. Roberts, Seattle, WA, Sept. 27, 1947-1950.
– Acquired from dispossal at PAtricia Bay AB, Vancouver Island.
– Barged to Boeing Field, Seattle, WA, 1947.
– Registered as N1233N.
Art J. Bell/Bell Air Services, Boeing Field, WA, July 21, 1950.
Oregon State University, 1951-1954.
– Instructional Airframe.
Bob Sturges/Columbia Airmotive, Troutdale, OR, 1954-1966.
– Used as advertising display, Troutdale Airport, 1954-1961.
Columbia Airmotive, Troutdale, OR, Feb. 1967-1979.
– Registered as N1009N(2).
– Stored dismantled, Troutdale.
– Acquired paperwork ID of P40N N1009N (43-23494/RCAF 877, which had been scrapped) from Earl Reinert, Feb. 19, 1967.
Thomas L. Camp, Livermore CA/Las Vegas, NV, 1979-1985.
– Restored Livermore, CA.
– First flight 1982.
The Fighter Collection, Duxford, UK, Feb. 1985-2001.
– Arrived dismantled, Feb. 14, 1985.
– Registered as G-KITT.
– First flight after reassembly, Feb. 27, 1985.
– Flown as FR870/GA-S.

Regards
John P

I think TFC’s current P-40 is a P-40M model rather than ‘N’. Main visible difference is the curved instead of square cut rear cockpit window.

hI

I don’t think it follows that just because the P40 N is in the hanger and a P40 B is soon to be in the hanger that either would be sold – they represent a progression of the breed and should cause no issues either way – it will be really quite good to see 3 generations of Hawks at Duxford – the 75, B and N in the air together will be quite a sight and not one that has happened I would have thought.

Regards
John P

I spoke to Tim Manna about his Seafire a couple of weeks ago, the main hold up is the supplied Aileron Cables were too long, but too short to chop and re-terminate. They have been waiting 16 weeks for replacements now, which has prevented the refitting of the wings, and hence missed it’s appointment with the Paint Shop in May…..
Apparently there were 3 different wing sizes fitted to Seafires (based on MK5 Spit), and it is very difficult to know which one you have until you get the parts and try to fit them…..

I also visited Tim Manna’s Seafire a couple of weeks ago and took some close-up photos, but they asked me to keep them to myself. It looks pretty complete apart from painting and is hoped to fly before the end of the year.

I have really enjoyed the progress pictures of the HAC YAK-1 on the HAWKER RESTORATIONS web page. There hasnt been an update in quite some time now. Often in restorations there isnt anything to see, but progress is being made in the minds and machine shops of the restorers.

The P40 was sold to a French operator in the early 90’s, it came back to TFC in a deal involving a Spitfire which after being operated in France was sold to an American owner.

did the deal fall through then? from what i gather they have had a few serviceablilty issues with it over the years

The P40 has been sold before so maybe it will be sold again, who knows…

FIGHTER COLLECTION P40

Will they now sell the p-40 they have at the moment or is the p-40b which is being built going to be an addition to the fleet? if they keep acquiring aircraft at this rate they will need another hangar!!!

Does anybody know who now owns the polikarpov as its still at duxford.

Also can’t wait to see peter teichmans new paint scheme for the mustang in the ‘tuskegee airmen’ colours. it will look awesome! 😮

ARC Blenheim repairs are continueing apace the centre section unfortunately proved to be more damaged than originally thought but is now well on the way to completion. Undercarriage frames are complete and undercarriage legs are well on the way. With regards to which mark it will fly again as, well it`s still being studied but it is hoped that the mk.1 will be the chosen option, but several hurdles need to be addressed.

ARC are also restoring a Westland Lysander to flying condition. the wings are the first components for the rebuild as they pose the greater challenge but remain on target for a year end completion, the fuselage will follow on.

HFL are presently working on the mk.5 which is being systemised and on target for an early appearance next year. and it will be a stunning addition to the fleet.

Hi All

If you read the posts here and on other threads there is no doubt that progress is being made accross the board on all the TFC aircraft – it is just that some get finished before others and as one nears the end the effort naturally gravitates to that aircraft – it doesn’t mean the others stop.

Regards
John P

Agree with multivac, I saw work in progress on the Gladiator and Beaufighter last Friday.

Does that mean the Seafury is at the back of the que ? Hope not.

I sure I saw some work underway on the Beaufighter on Sunday. 🙂

Whilst work on the Gladiator is priority, work on the Beaufighter continues six days a week! Sorry the wife says seven days!

Does that mean the Seafury is at the back of the que ? Hope not.

I spoke to Tim Manna about his Seafire a couple of weeks ago, the main hold up is the supplied Aileron Cables were too long, but too short to chop and re-terminate. They have been waiting 16 weeks for replacements now, which has prevented the refitting of the wings, and hence missed it’s appointment with the Paint Shop in May…..
Apparently there were 3 different wing sizes fitted to Seafires (based on MK5 Spit), and it is very difficult to know which one you have until you get the parts and try to fit them…..

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum. We published a listing of UK restorations in a recent issue (No.4) of Warbird Digest (other listing magazines are available, no advert – use your nous) which had over 70 restorations for UK owners or being restored in the UK. This was all ‘warbirds’ though not all to airworthy condition. It was researched very painstakingly from public domain information by a good friend of mine, and it makes for interesting reading when you count them all up. No prediction dates, but all under active restoration, not nominal.

No, I’m not posting it here!

Cheers,

I was told when Twilight arrived that it was a “tired airframe” & would recieve the same type of work that Liz had when Liz is finished. I was also told Stephen will keep it as it’s a significant machine to Duxford. But he can change his mind!

HFL Spit 9 & 14? I know they’ve just taken delivery of a MkXVI (RW386), and are working on a MkVc and, I think, one of the ex-Burma MkIXs, so which are these two? Is the ex-Burma aircraft one of them? :confused: