Spitfire XIVc RM689 -(Old Thread 2004)

Still in store at EMA, the 19 is the main focus of attention and is close to flying, after that who knows what will happen.. I would doubt if anyone does.

Any updates on RM689 ?

I’d met David Moore a couple of times at computer meets.
This is before the days of the Internet as we know it now. When it was Prestel and Micronet. There was an online computer club called Direct Line (before the insurance one started). It was run by a couple of chaps in London. They used to have get togethers at a pub just off the M25 a couple of times a year. I remember David showing us a video of him flying in formation with a couple of Norwegian F-16s. I still have a WWII computer game I bought from him.

It was a very sad day when he died.

A shame, but I hope RR can complete the rebuild eventually.

Or release it some someone else who can. I would speculate from the fact that they have put it into storage rather than selling it that they do have future plans for it.

A shame, but I hope RR can complete the rebuild eventually.

A more recent update on this aircraft (April 2011) from another forum, including photo:
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/301510-spitfire-xivc-g-algt-rm689.html#post6415002

Regards,
David

From the past… simply stunning.! (copyright Keith Hamshere).

Hi all, has anyone any idea when this spit is going to be back in the air? Has Hull aero finished the wings yet?

Steve

From the past… simply stunning.! (copyright Keith Hamshere).

Any recent pics?

Cheers

Cees

Now wouldn’t it be nice if they finished in those colours? Beautiful

Reviving an old thread here but thought I would post this here since I got most of my references for this aircraft skin from this very thread (thanks guys).

It shouldn’t have cannons etc. but I cannot remove them from the model so please overlook them 🙂

There are a few areas that I had to guess at since there seems to be very few pictures of this paint scheme, be happy to change areas if more references become available.

I contacted the Roll-Royce Heritage Trust for an update on this aircraft the other day. Ian Craighead, who has taken over the restoration of RM689/G-ALGT kindly responded yesterday:

Maybe I can clarify a little here, your header here is a little misleading, Ian Craighead has replaced the previous boss of the Corporate Heritage dept in R-R, the same team is still working the rebuild of G-ALGT, and yes, the engine is slaved onto the beams but only to allow work to be done to the likes of the engine cover rails to be fabricated it is not ‘installed’ as such.
Hope this clears a few points up.
Rivet

Thanks for the update….

I contacted the Roll-Royce Heritage Trust for an update on this aircraft the other day. Ian Craighead, who has taken over the restoration of RM689/G-ALGT kindly responded yesterday:

“there has been only a little visible progress (but things have kept moving on).

We had some problems which meant that the wings have still to be finished and so the completion date is now estimated to be mid to late 2010.

While this seems some way off, it must be remembered that the aircraft is being almost completely rebuilt, there having been little left of the original upon which to base the new airframe. That said, everything original that was deemed to be reuseable was retained and has been restored allowing RM689 to retain her original identity.

As you might expect there isn’t a one stop shop to get Spitfire parts and so we are reliant on new manufacture or parts becoming available through the “network”.

However, it must be admitted that original estimates of the time for rebuild were optimistic.

The fuselage and tail are nearing completion and the Griffon engine has been installed. I am expecting one wing to be delivered by April 2009 with the other around June/July.

After the wings are fitted the aircraft will start to look more complete, however, there are fuel, hydraulic, electrical and pneumatic systems to be plumbed in and connected. From a personal viewpoint the wings will mark a significant milestone and the finishing post will be almost in sight.

In the meantime our PR XIX Spitfire PS853 continues to fly during the summer months, maintaining our presence in the air for the benefit of local charities and adding that little special touch for our customers.

The [Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust] website is admittedly woefully out of date with respect to the Spitfire and it is one of my missions this year to get it up-to-date and maintained on a regular basis. Your suggestion of 6-monthly updates is feasible. We do occasionally publish some information on Spitfire progress to Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust members and I hope that as completion nears I will be able to report more advanced progress. If you are interested in becoming a Trust member, please let this office know.

I am glad to hear that our Company Spitfires have fans abroad as well as here in the UK.”
Regards,
David Eyre

Hello Mackrel,

Ralph was pulling his hair out after all the work that was required 😉 Structurally they’re done, and very nice they are too. As you well know the skinning is the ‘easy’ bit, making all those ribs and leading-edge skins is the awkward and really time-consuming part.

Tom

Hi Tom, yes you’re right the wings are never nice to build, structure is a nightmare !!! skinning is the easy bit like you say. Give me a fuse any day.:)

Steve.

P.S P9374 going to HFL next wednesday .

making all those ribs and leading-edge skins is the awkward and really time-consuming part.

Stop it…your scaring me:p

Hello Mackrel,

Ralph was pulling his hair out after all the work that was required 😉 Structurally they’re done, and very nice they are too. As you well know the skinning is the ‘easy’ bit, making all those ribs and leading-edge skins is the awkward and really time-consuming part.

Tom

The wings were still without skins when I saw them a week ago…

Tom

Hi Tom, Really!! I thought Ralph had nearly finished them !!!! John Hart must be pulling his hair out by now then.

Steve.

The wings were still without skins when I saw them a week ago…

Tom

An old topic that I bring back to the top.

Anybody have any news about the completion ?

good point there TGA. We did the fuse about 4years ago so an update would be nice !!!

Steve.

An old topic that I bring back to the top.

“David, the aeroplane is at least a year from completion.The wings should be delivered in the next few weeks; engine is completed and John Hart and the team are working on the airframe currently.
In hindsight, the programme was optimistic – the same team operate the Mk 19. Contact me again in, say, 6 month’s time for an update.”

Anybody have any news about the completion ?