Just a line to let anyone here who remembers the Whirlwind Fighter Project know how we are getting on – and of course to point you at the funding page!
The cockpit (and nose) is complete apart from skinning, with Pete Smith producing some almost miraculous new parts including a working reflector gunsight from scratch. Everything is 100% accurate and as per our initial aim ten years ago ‘indistinguishable from an aircraft in squadron service’ in 1943 – specifically P7056, ‘Pride of Yeovil’ of 263 Squadron. We have the fuselage skins as rolled on an original 1941 press saved from Westland by Airframe Assemblies, and the next two years will be focussed on this and the tail. As they are completed sections will be put on display at the Kent Battle of Britain museum, Hawkinge.
We are a membership organisation and are funded entirely by donations.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merlinai57
GoFundMe: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/whirlwiindfighterproject
By: Trolley Aux - 6th December 2022 at 12:05
light it up, it brings it to life and gives it another dimension.
TA out
By: Beermat - 5th December 2022 at 14:27
Thanks all! I’ll let the team know that this is a popular idea, and we’ll do it.
By: adrian_gray - 29th November 2022 at 20:45
Another vote for lighting it here – the kids will love it, and that’s the next generation hooked!
By: Nicko - 29th November 2022 at 02:34
The canopy is beautiful. Well done.
By: Zac Yates - 22nd November 2022 at 22:30
Another vote here for lighting up!
By: powerandpassion - 22nd November 2022 at 07:03
Team WW have done a stunning job on the canopy and the other substantial structure work. I would light it up, not gimmicky at all. Keep up the superb work. Have a beer every once in a while too, I am sure the original workers did !
By: Beermat - 16th November 2022 at 10:47
Thanks chaps!
P&P, getting that canopy formed was a serious challenge – it’s an enormous piece and wouldn’t fit in any single oven! It took some clever manouvering on the part of the plastics company to do it in one but that was how we wanted it. The WW was the first production aircraft with a bubble canopy and it was important to get it right. When it goes on show we plan for the canopy to be open and the 100% kitted-out cockpit visible via access. We are thinking about running 12v through the aircraft to light up internal and external lamps and the gunsight, making it more ‘live’. What do people think – is that too gimmicky or not?
By: bazv - 15th November 2022 at 20:41
Many thanks for the update Matt – looking absolutely wonderful 🙂
By: 12jaguar - 15th November 2022 at 20:17
Indeed Beermat
Fantastic progress
John
By: powerandpassion - 15th November 2022 at 19:04
Very nice work on the windscreen, with what looks like a newly formed canopy. A lot of work !
By: FarlamAirframes - 15th November 2022 at 18:42
Glaciers move faster than posts on here!
Excellent progress on the Whirlwind,
By: Beermat - 15th November 2022 at 15:18
Wow, this forum IS quiet these days!
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November 14, 2022 at 12:02 pm