Hi all,
Over recent days I’ve been occupying myself by trawling the internet trying to compile a list of historic/classic aircraft owned and/or operated by Stephen and Nick Grey, Patina and TFC over the years. Here’s what I have so far:
Beechcraft GB-2/Traveller Mk.I G-BRVE – TFC since 06/03/2006
Bell P-39K Airacobra 42-4312 – TFC 1991, now being restored to fly for Kermit Weeks at Wangaratta, Australia
Bell P-39Q Airacobra 42-19993/N793QG/G-CEJU – TFC 1994-14/01/2010, now with Rod Lewis in Texas
Bell P-63A Kingcobra/RP-63A 42-69097/G-BTWR – TFC 07/10/1991 until lost with Guy Bancroft-Wilson Biggin Hill 03/06/2001
Bell P-63C Kingcobra/RP-63C 44-4393/N62822 – TFC 1987 until lost with John Larcombe France 04/06/1990
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 44-85718/G-FORT – Stephen Grey/Patina Ltd 1986-87, now displayed at Lone Star Flight Museum, Texas
Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 21261/G-JETT – Stephen Grey/Patina Ltd 30/01/1985-02/07/1985, written off after crash Duxford 06/09/2006
Curtiss P-36C 38-210/N80FR/G-CIXJ – TFC since 1995
Curtiss H-75A-1 Hawk G-CCVH/N80FR/G-CCVH – TFC since 1990
Curtiss P-40B Warhawk 41-13297/G-CDWH/N80FR/G-CDWH – TFC 2004-08/05/2014, now with Collings Foundation, Massachussetts
Curtiss P-40C/Tomahawk Mk.IIb 41-13357/N80FR/G-CIIO – TFC since 2008
Curtiss P-40C/Tomahawk Mk.IIb 41-13390/AH935/N80FR/G-TOMA – TFC 1992-31/03/1999, now with Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum, Washington
Curtiss P-40F Warhawk 41-19841/VH-PIV/G-CGZP – TFC since 2006
Curtiss P-40M/Kittyhawk Mk.III 43-5802/N1009N/F-AZPJ/G-KITT – TFC (leased) 02/1985-11/07/1994 and 1997-14/12/2005, now with N40P Warhawk LLC, Washington
Curtiss P-40N 43-23484 – reportedly stored with TFC 2006
DAP Beaufighter Mk.21 A8-324/A19-144 – TFC since 1991
de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito T.III TV959 – TFC 1992-2003
Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider BuNo126922/F-AZED/G-RAID – TFC 12/1991-30/10/2003
EKW C-3603 Schlepp/C-3605 C-483/N360BP – Stephen Grey 12/12/1987-13/11/1988(?)
EKW C-3603 Schlepp/C-3605 C-551/N3605 – Stephen Grey 12/12/1987-13/11/1988(?)
Fiat CR-42 Falco/JR-11 2542/G-CBLS – TFC since 1995
Gloster Gladiator Mk.II N5903/G-GLAD – TFC since 11/1994
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair BuNo88297/N8297/G-FGID – TFC since 03/1986
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair BuNo92106/N6897 – TFC 1989, now with Mike Potter/Vintage Wings Of Canada, Gatineau
Grumman (General Motors) FM-2 Wildcat BuNo55627/N47201- Stephen Grey (leased) 1982-06/1985, now with Palm Springs Air Museum, California
Grumman (General Motors) FM-2 Wildcat BuNo86711/N4845V/G-RUMW – TFC since 1992
Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat/F6F-5K BuNo80141/N10CN/N100TF/G-BTCC – TFC 02/08/1989-06/02/2015, now with Spitfire Aircraft LLC, Texas
Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat BuNo80425/N7235C/G-RUMT – TFC 04/06/1996-29/06/2007
Grumman F8F-1B Bearcat BuNo122095/G-BUCF – TFC 1987-1992, now with Tom Wood/Quality Leasing Co, Indiana
Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat BuNo121614/N7957C – TFC 1987-1991, now with Rod Lewis, Texas
Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat BuNo121714/N700HL/G-RUMM – TFC since 01/1981
Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat BuNo121752/N800H – TFC 1995-03/1998, now with John Sessions Historic Aircraft Foundation, Washington
Hawker Nimrod Mk.I S1581/G-BWWK – TFC since 2004
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV KZ321/G-HURY – TFC 25/04/1991-20/02/2006, now with Bernard Van Milders/Salphen NV, Belgium
Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII 5424/G-HURI – TFC 12/1982-2004, now with Historic Aircraft Collection, Duxford
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 VX653/G-BUCM – TFC since 11/1991
Hawker Sea Fury T.20/T.20S VZ345/G-VZSF – TFC since 2008
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 WG599/VH-SFY/G-SEAF – TFC since 07/09/2017(?)
Hawker Sea Fury T.20/T.20S WG655/N20MD/G-CHFP – TFC 2008-25/07/2018, now with Shaun Patrick, Goodwood
Lavochkin La-11 – with TFC since 1993
LET C.11/Yakovlev Yak-3U replica 533/G-BTHD – TFC 1988-01/2005(?), now with Planes of Fame, California
LET C.11 1701/F-AZHQ/G-KYAK – TFC 06/1994-16/02/1996, now with Maxi Gainza/Air Fighter Academy, Germany
Lockheed P-38J Lightning/F-5C 42-67543/N3145X – TFC 1987 until lost with Hoof Proudfoot at Duxford, 14/07/1996
Lockheed P-38L Lightning/F-5G 44-27231/N79123 – TFC 2003-2004, now with Fagens Fighters WWII Museum, Minnesota
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon BuNo37419/N7486C – TFC 1993
Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIb/SK.16A 42-892/FE695/Fv16105/G-BTXI – TFC since 07/1989
North American B-25D/Mitchell Mk.II 43-3318/N88972/G-BYDR – TFC 07/11/1987-2002, now with John Sessions Historic Aircraft Foundation, Washington
North American B-25J/TB-25J/VB-25J/VB-25N 44-30861/G-BKXW – TFC 1989-2006, now at Wycombe Air Park
North American P-51C Mustang 43-25147/N51PR/G-PSIC – TFC 1996-12/2006, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
North American P-51K Mustang 44-12016/G-CBNM – TFC 29/04/2002-30/10/2008, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
North American P-51D Mustang 44-63788/G-PSID – TFC 01/1987-1988, crashed and destroyed France 24/07/1998
North American P-51D Mustang 44-73149/N51JJ/G-BTCD – TFC 05/1980-16/04/1999, now with MSO Air & Space Museum, Turkey
North American P-51D Mustang 44-84847/N251RJ/G-TFSI – TFC 2005-11/07/2016, now with Ultimate Warbird Flights, Sywell
North American F-86A Sabre 49-1217/G-BZNL – TFC 14/11/2000-26/12/2001, possibly stored for FHCAM
Pilatus P.2-03/P.2-05 – A-110/U-110/G-PTWO – TFC 26/02/1981-13/12/1982, possibly still with Radim Vojta, Czech Republic
Republic (Curtiss) P-47G/TP-47G 42-25068/N47DG/G-CDVX – TFC 2005-2013, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
Republic P-47D 44-90438/N647D – Patina Ltd 1985-1986?
Republic P-47D 45-49192/N47DD/G-THUN – TFC 1985-2006, now with Tom Duffy/Claire Aviation, New Jersey
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.Vb EP120/G-LFVB – TFC since 21/01/1993
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.IXc/TR.9/Mk.IX ML417/HS543/G-BJSG – TFC 11/06/1980-10/12/2001, now with Tom Friedkin/Chino Spitfire Inc, Texas
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.IXe RK858 – TFC 03/09/1992-10/2007, now with Propshop Ltd, Duxford
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.XVIe TB863/G-CDAN – TFC 20/06/1983-03/1987, now with Temora Aviation Museum, Australia
Supermarine Spitfire FRMk.XIVe MV293/G-SPIT – TFC 07/10/1985-11/07/2016, now with Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd/Heritage Aviation Collection, North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire FRMkXIVe NH799/G-BUZU – TFC 1986-1993, now with Murray Miers/Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection, NZ
Supermarine Spitfire FMk.XIVe SM832/G-WWII – TFC 08/1986-18/01/1998, 19/03/2002-02/2004, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
Supermarine Spitfire FRMk.XVIIIe SM969/HS977/G-BRAF – TFC 15/02/2006-2008, now with Lawrence Classics LLC/ Echo Matrix LLC, Arkansas
Supermarine Spitfire FMk.22 PK624 – TFC since 10/1994
The following are parts collections/hulks/wrecks I’ve identified:
Curtiss P-40B 39-285 – used in restoration of 41-13297, possibly stored with TFC since 2004
Curtiss P-40B 39-287 – used in restoration of 41-13297, possibly stored with TFC since 2004
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb – two wrecks recovered from Russia, to TFC c.1992 then to IWM Duxford for restoration of “Z2315”
Can anyone help with corrections/additions?
By: Prop Strike - 4th October 2020 at 09:19
Yes, it is very pleasing to see. These larger airframes are the hardest to protect/preserve, and so it is especially encouraging that this Mitchell and the Long Marston Shackleton have both been rescued this year.
Not to mention the ex Hanna CASA 2-111 ( imported 1995) which is also finally getting love and attention at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust, Hawkinge.
Sorry for the thread drift, but 2020 has been a good year for these long – neglected airframes !
By: Zac Yates - 4th October 2020 at 08:53
Thanks Prop Strike, I had a thought in the back of my head that something positive had happened to that airframe in recent times!
By: adrian_gray - 3rd October 2020 at 15:46
Sadly, I think redhillwings hasn’t reappeared since The Reorganisation, but from what I’ve seen the Wings Museum has some really top stuff in it – only A20 in the country, for starters.
But I digress.
By: Prop Strike - 3rd October 2020 at 14:23
A small update ( and with a list that long there must be a few !)
The B-25 that seemed doomed to rust into oblivion at Wycombe Air Park ( as quoted above ) has been saved by the Wings Aviation Museum in Sussex who are doing great work, that she waited 40 years for !
Photo from their facebook page (Bedsheet Bomber )
By: Trolley Aux - 3rd October 2020 at 11:22
Keep up the good work, amazing the amount of aeroplanes they have owned
By: Zac Yates - 28th September 2020 at 02:55
All now added to my database, thank you! Pinning down the pre-Patina ownership history of the Bucker is proving a bit tricky.
Was very embarrassed to realise I’d left off the F.2B considering I’ve seen it fly here on multiple occasions! Very odd it can both be a Weston on the Green fuselage (workshop built c.1919) AND a civil-registered machine cancelled in 1946…
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th September 2020 at 18:56
Bristol F2b D8084 G-ACAA. Now with Peter Jackson I believe
By: Bruce - 27th September 2020 at 13:15
Two more – the Bucker Jungmeister – G-AYSJ and Spitfire XIV NH904/G-FIRE passed through Duxford in the late eighties.
By: Bruce - 27th September 2020 at 13:08
Just off the top of my head:
The Avro Anson fuselage now at Hendon passed through TFC – and was swapped for something (!)
The Sabre also at Hendon also passed through TFC and was then exchanged for an airframe following restoration.
Stephen once briefly owned an Avenger – no idea which one. He flew it once, hated it, and managed to sell it on to A N other almost as soon as he landed. (His story)
Also, don’t forget the Beech Baron that was part of the fleet for years – maybe not an obvious pick, but undeniably classic.
Bruce
By: Zac Yates - 27th September 2020 at 12:20
SimonDav: Just a tiny nitpick, its a Beaufighter not a Beaufort! What can I say, I just love my DAP Beauforts! Fixed with thanks! I had it right in my Word document, at least.
PropStrike: thank you, for some reason I’d had that airframe in my head as being with OFMC* (had it confused with Dewoitine F-AZJD. Thank you!
*I started a similar OFMC database first, but for whatever reason decided to ask for help with this one. I may post the OFMC one to seek assistance in a few days
By: adrian_gray - 27th September 2020 at 11:43
Surely the answer to the question in the title is “Everything!”?
A splendid list, and a reminder of how lucky we have been to have had TFC.
By: Trolley Aux - 27th September 2020 at 09:30
I am loving this thread already, what memories. my gosh they have had some splendid aeroplanes
By: Prop Strike - 27th September 2020 at 09:28
One more for the (huge) list. I should think only Doug Arnold came close for sheer number of airframes which passed through his hands.
The ex- Blue Max Moraine-Saulnier MS-230 was owned by SG for a while.
The MS.230 used in the Blue Max was EI-ARG (1049) flown by Derek Piggott I believe. Ex F-BGMR. It became G-BJCL with Stephen Grey on 22.7.81 and was exported to Kermit Weeks as N230MS after work by PPS in 10.87. Cancelled on 27.1.88. I believe it was damaged in Hurricane Andrew on 24.8.92. It was powered by a 250hp Salmson 9ab
https://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Morane-Saulnier-MS-230-Et2/209…
By: SimonDav - 27th September 2020 at 08:01
Just a tiny nitpick, its a Beaufighter not a Beaufort!
Sign In
September 27, 2020 at 12:20 am