My suggestion would be to purchase Percival Q.6 G-AFFD. It’s a unique survivor, much has already been done to ready her for flight she’s likely to be available to someone who could fund the rest of the restoration work I would have thought. She has had some significant owners and is a magnificent example of a 1930s twin “executive” transport. She would fit in at OW (or in any dedicated collection) – a really sophisticated machine but with aesthetic appeal. The majority of the airframe I assume is still in the IoM but small parts (and I believe engines) were brought to Sywell before Rex moved bases – presumably they moved with his organisation?

Hi PL

Are you sure it wasn’t the AISA I-11B which was the Peque (known as the L.8C in SpAF service). It was developed from the I-11. First flight of the production prototype of the I-11B is quoted as Oct 15 1953 is quoted in some references. I’ve seen them in Spanish use – low wing fixed u/c bubble style canopy side by side seating. One is with the FIO organisation in Madrid (of which I was a member).

Was only jesting – I’m sure your idea is sound and would help. It’s just that when I’m on vacation I like to get away from comms devices as they remind me too much of work and their potential loss makes me nervous unless I lug them around which tends to spoil the holiday. Perhaps I should be more relaxed about modern technology but I know I’m an old fogy! 😉

What a shame you weren’t considering this when Shuttleworth’s C.30A was in taxiable condition and available – I was sad to see it leave as it seemed to be under-appreciated. The uncovered C.30A at Weston has not been assembled for many years. As long back as 1965 I recall seeing it stored in a hangar at Staverton (not the Skyfame hangar – they had CUU – a different example now at Duxford) and later seeing it advertised for sale in Flight. I assume some components must be missing.

So far as CUU goes – is it actually owned by the IWM? I seem to recall that when it was previously with Skyfame that it was on loan from G S Baker (or his family) who had continuity of ownership for many years, back to when it had been flying at Elmdon.

I gues s the examples in Kensington and Hendon are unlikely to ever be released. Cuatro Vientos borrowed the RAFM example from Hendon as a reference and constructed a superb replica with some original components included I believe.

The Kay or the Weir up in Scotland would look nice in the air – indeed the Kay is reputed to have flown for a short while post-war so maybe it’s still in good condition as it’s been stored / displayed in reasonable environments.

Don’t think you’ll find that’s quite right Albert. Of the ex Alverca Beaus, only one (RD253) came to the RAFM’s care in 1965 and was rebuilt for eventual display in 1971; the other went direct from Portugal to South Africa. The latter incidentally now resides dismantled at East Fortune after the South Africans decided to dispose of it only a few years ago. The example in Canada (RD867) was never ex Portugese. It was an ex RAF target tow a/c from Malta. RD867 appeared at the Abingdon review in ’68 with engines but was later gutted before donation to Canada.
Or, are you saying that the RAF obtained both Portugese machines (in addition to having the ex Malta example) and brokered a deal between SA & Portugal – I’m not aware if that is so?

Yes the SR-A1 was part of the collection – one of the aircraft which Peter obtained from the College of Aeronautics at Cranfield – another was the Tempest (now with Kermit Weeks). The background to Skyfame’s formation and eventual demise has been discussed on the forum before – when Peter Thomas recently passed away. See: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=43059&highlight=Skyfame

The museum occupied 50% of one of the T2 hangars (near to the airfield fire station). It included Cierva C.30A (ex Elmdon now at DX) , Halifax nose (ex Radlett now at IWM London), Oxford (ex Wolverhampton now DX), York (ex SKyways now at Cosford), Hastings (now at DX), Firefly (ex Target Tug in Sweden first to DX now at Yeovilton), Proctor (ex Oxford now at DX), Sherpa (ex Cranfield went to DX then Rochester), Auster AOP9, Pou du Ciel (now in Cambs), Mosquito (now at DX), Tempest (ex Cranfield now at Polk City), Anson 1 now at DX, Sycamore (went to Weston), Magister now at DX) plus others e.g. I recall a Sea Venom.

I’ve listed these purely from memory as I’m too lazy to refer to any records tonight … but it gives you a flavour of the significance and diversity of the collection. Some were retained in airworthy condition such i.e.the Anson and Oxford – and until an accident the Mossie. Other a/c were obtained and moved on such as another Mossie, the Consul IKR etc. Others were near to being obtained e.g. one of the Portugese Beaufighters but never made it. Had it not been for Peter, the volunteers, engineers and donors this pioneering museum would never have continued and our present preservation scene would have been the poorer.

I do have b&w and colour shots of the a/c there but can’t lay my hands on them instantly.