TFC Beaufighter

Nowt Andy as of my visit last November, think its in deep storage as is the Dak

TT

Yep it was the last time I was down at Hatch.

I still find it amazing that the Dak is stored in such a small storage space along with parts of the Beau.

Nowt Andy as of my visit last November, think its in deep storage as is the Dak

TT

Tim still has her.

What happened to the Skysport one? Have not spoken to Tim Moore in a while, but he had a Beau tail leg from me for the project/collection of bits!

My understanding was that SG is now of pensionable age and had problems being P1 in a single controlled twin – which was why the Lightning rebuild was eventually sold on and the Tigercat was too (possibly the same thing with the ex-IWM Mossie now with FHC).

The Beau must be in the same bracket (even worse with the hinged seat access!!!!!) and again thats why I understood it was up for sale with Provenance.

Just because its no longer on their site doesnt necessarily mean its been withdrawn from sale – is it not possible that a deal has been done elsewhere…
perhaps involving a continuation of work…?

one thing is certain, TFC play their cards close to their chest and the Greys arent daft so I’m sure they have their reasons.

Equally it could be as simple as it being simpler to ship the machine with its nose attached!

Am sure we’ll find out in time.

The old beau reminds me of Steve Young, bless ‘im – he always loved the Beau from when he worked on the Skysport example. 🙁

TT

.
I note the TFC Beaufighter is no longer listed on Provenance Fighter Sales although I know they approached an acquantance of mine to buy it for operation in Australia last year (yes he could afford the price tag, and no he isnt buying it), and at that time it was still listed on their website.

At the time the Fighter Collection seemed to publicly confirm the intention to sell it and not aim for operating it themselves.

I would assume now that Provenance have removed it from the website as they are no longer selling it? and I also assume that ownership has returned to TFC ( did it actually ever leave their ownship?) although I was told directly by Provenance that it was their aircraft?

As the Fighter collection is still proceeding with the restoration does this suggest it will now be completed and flown in the UK?

Is it still on the market via another broker, or for sale directly from the Fighter Collection, with work continuing to progress at a low key/priority.

Anyone know the current situation?

regards

Mark Pilkington

Of the later marks of Hercules – the 216 ex Hasting has always been the considered choice in terms of re-engineeering the engine to fit the Beaufighter
However in practical terms the wartime mark is the one to go for . The problems that arise from them is their relative rarity and the cost of having one rebuilt.

I would love to see her engines running if only doing fast taxi runs down the runway, while they get the right power eggs for her. Alright i know about all the problems of fitting the wrong motors, but i’m allowed to dream:diablo:

A few years back I sold them an ex Hastings Hercules, on stand, low hours. However, I am not sure why they needed it? Presumably there was not an intention to put this mark of Hercules into the Beau? Curious as to why they wanted this engine from me and were trying to get another…..:confused:

Didn’t the early marks of Beaufighter have Merlins?- i’m under the impression that 3 bladed props for them are really scarce anyway but i think it would be easier to get spares.

The Mk.II did, but for various good reasons, that’s not a route I understand being considered now.

They’ve looked at everything though, and the idea of a ‘hot twin’ PA474 and a bonus Merlin Beau has a certain bizarre attraction.

so what parts do the team require? do they have the props?

Answer in a different thread:

Work continues on the Beaufighter with the possibility of the cockpit being fitted shortly. The hunt still goes on for original engines and a second propeller, can you help?

Didn’t the early marks of Beaufighter have Merlins?- i’m under the impression that 3 bladed props for them are really scarce anyway but i think it would be easier to get spares.

so what parts do the team require? do they have the props?

No matter how it got there, I’m pretty excited about seeing and hearing it fly. Guess I still have a few years to wait.

If moved from Oz, there must have been a lack of interest in her native country, or was there other factors at play?

Don’t confuse value based on cash, unbalanced by exchange rates with ‘interest’. There’s plenty of people who’d like to see the aircraft fly in Australia, but someone else paid more to try and achieve that result in the UK. I’m not complaining about it, and good luck to the team.

(Australia was the origin of numerous Beau projects, and a complete a/c on static display at Moorabbin. Several have gone overseas, including the parts making up the project that TFC have done a magnificent job on. One Aussie operated Beau was sold to the NMUSAF and is now mostly restored – partly there and partly here – as a USAAF example, nice, but not original, which is a pity. But, again, they got it as a fair deal, and organised the job. Can’t complain about that. I just wish they’d finish the bloody thing.)

It remains cheaper to buy an airline ticket to fly and see an aircraft than it does to restore one. :rolleyes:

Regards,

As its an ex Aussie Beau, I wish someone here could buy her and bring her HOME!

AFAIK there are British parts in her too, so she is sort of home (a bit).

Besides, how did she get to Duxford?

If moved from Oz, there must have been a lack of interest in her native country, or was there other factors at play?

As its an ex Aussie Beau, I wish someone here could buy her and bring her HOME!

I was here just after the nose was fitted Wednesday last week, Brian Marshall/Penpusher was also photographing the event which he has posted elsewhere on the forum. Re the original Herc engines, it is thought there are a couple but I would rather that info come from one of the Beau team.

The nose finishing touches

I supplied a U.k Beaufigter project with prop blades and a hub a few years ago at what they cost me. I work on the basis that anyone who is going to put a Beaufighter back in the air is undertaking a huge task and also putting a very large financial strain on their resources. Therefore no point in making it harder for them when there is no established market for them or ever likely to be. The Hercules components themselves have been going down in value over the years in direct relation to the numbers being used.

Have they still not found any yet, I sold them a pair of Hercules Carbs back in 2002, wish I’d held onto them now, guess they’d have fetched a pricely sum today, would have been much needed for the mighty cub rebuild.

FB