Vormezeele Lysander now on show with BAHAAT

Ok Roobarb I know I should have known but I am getting on a bit, you keep the bino`s as the actions much nearer down my end.

Come on Kigass, you only have to ask! It was indeed registered as N3093K to Kermit A. Weeks/Fantasy of Flight Museum, Polk City. I’ll bring you some Bino’s, a notepad, and a book full of numbers in tomorrow and we’ll make a spotter of you yet! Mind you, you’ll probably be using the Bino’s for spotting more “interesting scenery” passing by the doors of 66! 😀

The Lysander airframe with ARC is V9312 built at Yeovil and served with 225, 613 and 4 Sqdns before being converted to a target tug and shipped to Canada, serving at Mossbank, Saskatchewan. It last flew at the end of december 1944. It was owned by Harry Wherreat and sold to Kermit Weeks at Polk City about 5/6 years ago but I dont know if it was registered in the USA. When Kermit bought the Brian Woodford Lysander, V9132 was purchased by ARC and shipped to UK. To date both wings, aelerons, flaps and slats are complete apart from fabric plus the fin. At least 95% of the metal work has been rescued but all new wood ribs were manufactured. The fuselage is in `Blenheim Palace` where the wooden fuselage formers are being worked out before its stripped down. This airframe is very complete and it is hoped that the original engine will also be rescued.

JS

Mark 12
However, Lysander RCAF 2364 now reported at BAHAAT has previously been described in preservation listings as being held by the CWH at Hamilton as a source to help rebuild their C-GCWL. So when did Eric obtain this Lysander if it is RCAF 2364?

The FCWH in New York did indeed have parts of two airplanes, so it makes sense that they would have disposed of the second plane along the line. I don’t remember the ever seeing the second airframe back at Hamilton when 2363 moved back from New York in the mid 1990s. Btw, it is interesting that 2364 was a parts ship for both the CWH and Brooks restoration projects.

Speaking of Lysanders…what is the ID of the second airframe with Sabena? And is the airplane at ARCO the former N3093K?

Thanks,

Jim

wonder if he has any spare wheels – last I heard ARCO were desperately after a pair (complicated internally sprung beasties apparently)

TT

Vormezeele Lysander

I traded both the ‘Canadian Finds’ to Eric V. for a Belgian Stampe, which ended up in Aberdeen for restoration.

Sadly, both the Bolingbroke (9947)and the Lizzie (without wings) were destroyed in the disastrous fire at Le Bourget in the early 1990’s.
It would seem that Eric has found another basket case to work on.

To unwind a little confusion, the article concerning the Canadian Finds was printed in Aeroplane (March 05) but the mass of photos and the story of my Russian finds in 1991/2 has not yet been accepted for publication. (I could put some of the pics on this forum if I can get my scanner in working mode?)
Peter D

Well I was with Peter two weeks ago in France and he told me it was never published. So he has never seen it.

Which month/issue was it?

He wrote it some time ago.

I bet they sent the cheque to his old address. 🙂

Mark

I spoke with PeterD.

Sorry. 😮 Wrong Lysander and wrong article.

Peter D will respond shortly.

Still no sign of the Vormezeele Spitfire then?

Mark

Well I was with Peter two weeks ago in France and he told me it was never published. So he has never seen it.

Which month/issue was it?

He wrote it some time ago.

I bet they sent the cheque to his old address. 🙂

Mark

I was aware of that first person account when I wrote my initial posts so my conclusions weren’t speculation.

Some months ago there was an article in Aeroplane Monthly about the aquiring and shipping of a Lysander and Bolingbroke from Canada to the UK durign the seventies. In the same article it was mentioned that with hindsight all the work was in vain as both airframes didn’t exist anymore. I think the Paris fire was also mentioned.

Cees is right, and (IIRC) it was Peter’s article. It was a ‘first person account’, and he referred to the Paris fire disposing of the aircraft.

Eric Vormezeele indead had a Lysander and a Bollingbroke (or what was left of it). I’m not sure, but I think he traded them for a Tiger Moth.

The two planes were then again swapped for an airworthy Skyraider (F-ZVMM) that later became OO-FOR.

I will clarify with PeterD.

He did write this story up for a UK magazine but it failed to make it to print.

Mark

Are you sure Mark?

Some months ago there was an article in Aeroplane Monthly about the aquiring and shipping of a Lysander and Bolingbroke from Canada to the UK durign the seventies. In the same article it was mentioned that with hindsight all the work was in vain as both airframes didn’t exist anymore. I think the Paris fire was also mentioned.

Cees

I was asking about Peter and the Bolingbroke/Lysander combination . The Lysander on this thread also have a set of wings in reasonable shape. With an input of undercarriage and sundry components she could make a nice static project.

I will clarify with PeterD.

He did write this story up for a UK magazine but it failed to make it to print.

Mark

I was asking about Peter and the Bolingbroke/Lysander combination . The Lysander on this thread also have a set of wings in reasonable shape. With an input of undercarriage and sundry components she could make a nice static project.

Wasn’t somebody recently asking after the Peter Dimond Lysander and Bolingbroke recoveries to the UK from Canada?
I think you have it here.
Mark

Mark 12
I’m not so sure – I thought those handled by Peter D. (stored then in the Portsmouth or Southampton area) were the Lysander (reported as possibly RCAF 1589) and Bolingbroke that ended up with the Musee de’L’air and destroyed in the hangar fire a Le Bourget? Eric V had reputedly been the owner of both of those immediately before their move to Paris.

However, Lysander RCAF 2364 now reported at BAHAAT has previously been described in preservation listings as being held by the CWH at Hamilton as a source to help rebuild their C-GCWL. So when did Eric obtain this Lysander if it is RCAF 2364?

There is much more “Lysander” than just a frame, it just isn’t displayed yet. BW Roger

It’s there and a very nice museum. well worth a visit. The Dora Vormezeele used for parts for his flying example is also there. the lysander is just a frame though. Not much more.

Speaking of Bolly’s to the UK, anyone know when the Bristol Aero Collection’s Bolly is coming over? Filtonflyer?

Browsing their site I noticed that BAHAAT has announced that Eric Vormezeele has loaned his unrestored and dismantled Lysander RCAF2364 to them in 2006 and it will be on show as pictured. I don’t recall that news being reported on the Flypast site before, so see attached link for further details:
http://users.pandora.be/airwareurope/en/start_e.htm

Wasn’t somebody recently asking after the Peter Dimond Lysander and Bolingbroke recoveries to the UK from Canada?

I think you have it here.

Mark