TD135 is an old acquaintance of mine. It used to belong to Tynemouth ATC and was on display in pseudo 607 Sqn markings and natural metal finish outside their headquarters. The cockpit canopy was jammed open and so you could easily climb in and use your imagination. Later a friend of mine told me that the RAF had taken it away to be used in the making of the Battle of Britain film, promising to return it eventually, but, at the squadron’s next summer camp (I forget where) they had found it on the dump. The next I heard of it was that it was on display at a pub (presumably the Red Lion) somewhere on the Welsh Border which had been bought by the retired comedian Ben Warris. According to the newspaper report he had fitted a motor which would turn the prop when a coin was inserted in a slot machine, presumably with the proceeds going to the RAFBF. I wonder where it will surface next? It would be nice if it could fly again.
Jim
PS: In late 1955/early 56 I remember reading a classified advert in Flight magazine offering two Tiger Moths, one airworthy and the other for spares, for the combined price of £200.
PPS:
I’ve just done a bit of googling and TD135 was at the Spitfire Inn, Leominster, 1964-73, owned by someone called Shepherd, perhaps that was Ben Warris’s real name?? Also the BoB film details don’t match up so perhaps it was some other film???? Either way, it ended up on Dishforth’s dump in 1963/4 before taking to drink.
Well Jim the Spitfire Inn at Upper Hill near Leominster used to be called the Red Lion and I suppose it could be classed as near the Welsh borders, that’s also correct re the electric motor turning the prop, but I don’t know where the reference to Ben Warris came from though. Interesting.
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