Happy Birthday Daz.

I hope you’ve had a few pints of Spitfire to celebrate! 😀

Cheers

Paul

According to the excellent 1986 book “Spitfire & Hurricane Tribute” (about the BBMF) published by Ian Allan, the accident was caused by ” A series of errors by the pilot, local ATC, and the pilot of the Harvard aircraft, who failed to obtain clearance to enter the active runway, resulted in a head on collision. The Harvard was pushed back 50yds and completly destroyed, while AB910 was damaged extensively”.

It goes on to say that luckily there was no fire, and the Spitfire pilot (who I understand was Pete Thorn) along with the occupants of the Harvard, got out rather rapidly, although the pilot of the Harvard sustained a broken leg.

There is a picture of the front end of AB910 in the book (minus wings in a hanger) showing the damage caused by the impact. According to the text, it had sustained damage to the engine, engine mount, front bulkhead (frame 5) along with damage to both wings and extensive rear fuselage skin buckling – the latter quite clear in the picture posted by Mark12. According to the rest of the text, AB910 was then taken by road back to Abingdon and repaired by a team from the Repair & Salvage Squadron, followed by a major servicing at Kemble, with AB910 rejoining the BBMF at Coningsby in October 1981.

Cheers

Paul

Whilst searching the web the other yesterday, I came across the original Airworthiness Approval Note (AAN) for PL344:

http://www.caa.co.uk/aandocs/22416/22416020000.pdf

Having noted MKV’s comments on the original restoration not being ‘stock’, it’s interesting to see the list of mods incorportated in the rebuild, especially those of Dick Melton.

I’ve also looked up the AAN’s for a number of other Spitfires & other Warbirds (just type in the G-Reg in the search box), and again, it’s interesting to see the various mods/changes that have been incorporated during the rebuild or during overhaul & maintenance.

Cheers

Paul

Have you got the funds?

Just seen an advert for this Spitfire in the latest edition of Pilot.

It’s also on the Classifieds page of their website (it’s on the second page – you’ll need to scroll down towards the bottom of the page) :

http://www.pilotweb.aero/content/classifieds/

Potential buyers should be prepared to offer in excess of £2 Million!

More info on the aircraft here:

http://www.classicaerothruxton.co.uk/

Cheers

Paul

Just wondering if it’s a green grey scheme, or whether it was a brown North African style one:

🙂

I think Fluffy’s post from a few weeks back might give a hint!

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73982

I to look forward to your updates Jacko, having enjoyed reading those about the Lanc.

Cheers

Paul

There was a picture and a few words in the news section of the latest Aeroplane Monthly, and it looked like it was nearing completion.

However, I don’t know how long ago the photo was taken, so things could have moved on since then. It did look nice in it’s Dutch scheme, and should make a nice companion at displays for PV202. 🙂

However, the piece did mention that it was up for sale, so it’s possible it might go abroad. 🙁

Maybe one of our resident Spit experts has more info!

Cheers

Paul

As one of the restorers of AR614, I can answer this one!

AR614 did not have the B wing cannon apertures fitted – it had modified Mk IX ones (internal as opposed to external).

As I recall, and its a few years ago now, the original castings had been cut flush with the wing, so new ones were required. The new castings were modified to match the shape and the openings on the original leading edge skins.

Whilst the cannon barrels were probably not correct, the basic wing structure certainly was.

Bruce

Thanks for the clarification Bruce.

I guess like most things, sometimes comprimises have to be made.

I must admit, it does seem rather pedantic to pick out the smaller things such as cannon fairings and if the matching wing arrangment is correct, but I guess when the rest of the aircraft appears to have been given such attention to detail (especially in areas people might never see) it stands out more!

Photo linked from the HRL website

Cheers

Paul

…and the empennage of MK732. 🙂

Mark

Interesting!

From what I’ve read about this airframe, it appears it’s rebuild was based around several other airframes and parts (I recall it was just the cockpit & fuselage parts that were found in Cornwall), but didn’t know about the link with MK732.

Are there any other bits of other airworthy Spits used in the rebuild?

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/spitregistry/spitfire-bl628.html

Cheers

Paul