TFC's longest serving aircraft

Where on earth is the P38 rumour coming from now???? The one that was closely linked with TFC last year has recently been sold again so it would be my guess that we are unlikely to see one over here in the short term.

I take it you mean the Lefty Gardner P-38, White Lightnin’? I thought this was to be restored by the Gardners again?

With the P-39Q as the latest aircraft to join the TFC & plenty more on the TFC list of restorations, I am wondering wether TFC aquired, or are going to aquire the white P38 Lightning from the USA, as reported in Flypast mag a few months ago.
I have not seen or heard any more about it, but would love to see the type in the UK again.

Anyone have any info on this?

TankBuster

Grumpy’s been a round a while too….. I remember my father was involved in building the TFC offices in the 80’s and got a ride in her,…

Would be really intresting to know about the TFC pilots historys too… there Careers and how they came to be the luckiest people around etc….

Tempest nut the current Jungmeister was bought at auction so doesn’t even come close.

What about the Jungmeister?

MH

No one has replyed to this question but It must be close as I seem to recall an interview with Stephen Grey in 1981 in which he lists it as one of his aircraft.???? 🙂 🙂 😉 😉

forgotten EP120?!

😮 😮 😮

Bearcat purchased January 1981 and flown across the “pond” by John Crocker.

😮 How could I have forgotten EP120?!

I’m going away to punish myself…!

EP120, and … and um

NH799 ring any bells?

MkIX ML417, XVIE TB863, XIVs MV293 and SM832, 22 PK624, IX RK858….

What are the others?

The TFC site lists a good number of the aircraft flying, projects, or formerly owned by TFC. To my knowledge, they’ve had about half a dozen Spits over the years!!

Hi

20th June 1981 again…

Saludos
Martin

saw the Bearcat parked next to a circular hangar at GVA in 1981.

Was shown in belgium at Bierset later on together with Moose flown by Stephen Grey.

As earlier requested would be interested to learn the name of the pilot of the Beracat.(Air Vice-Marshall, Commanding Officer of the 2nd ATAF)

Excellent photos – I always liked that scheme on the Bearcat.

I believe the 1980s Tigercat is a different one to TFC’s machine.

Being the one brought over and operated by John Watts and Paul Warren-Wilson IIRC…. :confused:
I pressume the ‘Cat was sold after John Watts was killed in that Tornado mid-air collision….. :confused:

It would be interesting to list ALL the warbird aircraft/projects that Stephen Grey/TFC have owned/operated/sold at one time or another over the past 25 years…..I bet it’s quite a list…. 😀

Excellent photos – I always liked that scheme on the Bearcat.

I believe the 1980s Tigercat is a different one to TFC’s machine.
Hard to believe that has been around for eight years!

1st Pic:

Geneva August 1980: N6340T before repaint at Geneva

next two pics:

The Bearcat arrived in Geneva shortly after and both were seen during June 1981 at Bern during the Airshow – the P-51D in its new livery:

Regards
Martin

Wrong the Bearcat is the longwest serving A/C along with the Beech Baron I believe. TFC had another Wildcat that went back to the USA also the second Bearcat went back and the third Bearcat went back as well along with .never mind

Cheers Digby.

Sorry for the confusion folks, I was getting me ‘cats all mixed up. :rolleyes: Talking of which, isn’t the current Tigercat also a different one to the one which originally came over here in the mid eighties..?

he couldn’t find a Spitfire so he bought a Mustang (MOOSE) after the Mustang he found a Spitfire which was a restoration project .

…but Moose arrived in Geneva from the US in August 1980, to be based in the UK from May 1981.

As far back as 1978 I was discussing with Stephen the merits of the three Israeli Spitfires recovered by Robs Lamplough.

Mark