There are a number of bullet holes/shrapnel holes in the aircraft that are nicely patched on the outside, but on the inside, the strikes are very visible and really quite sobering. Another bullet entered the cockpit and struck the pilot’s seat – the evidence still there… Paddy is trying to find out exactly what happened and what the eventual outcome was – obviously the aircraft landed safely but what happened to the pilot?
Excellent! Had a look inside this beauty at RAF Church Fenton just prior to departure – Paddy was looking forward to the event so I’m pleased they finally made it… doesn’t it look smart!
Not really Fouga23 because I’m not engineer-minded, nor fully in the know regarding much of the restoration, but I gather that the UK certification requirement is much more stringent on certain matters than in the US. Lots of stress analysis and non-destructive testing of various components that were already fitted to the aircraft was needed, I gather that the snag list was inexhaustive.
My own personal thoughts are that given the density of population over here, safety is absolutely paramount and therefore the extra work/checks were understandable, if totally frustrating at the time. What I do know is that we now have a bloomin’ lovely aircraft at Breighton, a right little hot-rod, and much of the aforementioned frustration is now but a distant memory! The engineers and volunteers all deserve a big pat on the back for their patience – I’d have thrown my dummy out years ago!
The Buchon restoration was originally to be finished in the ‘States and flown on an Experimental ticket over there. However, two thirds of the way into the restoration the decision was taken to keep it in the UK, effectively leading to the team having to partially un-restore it for the benefit of UK regulations (hence the length of time it took to finish the restoration). RAC intend to display the aircraft at a number of UK shows this year and I believe that one of those will be Flying Legends at Duxford.
Thanks for all your comments – much appreciated. Had a look on the year planner and I noted that we’ve been penciled-in to display at L*gends and Sywell. Still some flight testing and practice to get in before then though… best place to see it is, of course, Breighton!
If it’s undergoing work why is it at Church Fenton ?
Scott C
Only one of the three hangars at RAF Church Fenton has been used since the JEFTS departure a year or two ago. Paddy Green, the DC-3’s owner, apparently lives in Yorkshire which might go some way towards explaining the aircraft’s (most welcome) visit to Fenton – plenty of space and close enough to keep an eye on the progress. I gather that there are plans to finish the machine in a USAF olive drab colour scheme circa 1944.
I believe that from mid May onwards the focus will be on getting the machine airborne. We’d love to display her at our show at Breighton on the 15th/16th July…
Brilliant! Having the text centred has done the trick. I don’t mind the typeface at all, they seem to use that style a lot in the ‘States and it does kind of have retro feel to it, shame there’s no lower case…
I’d centre all the text – justification plays merry hell with legibility, especially with a font such as this (Square 721/Eurostyle…?) with inter-character space. Try a simple, classic face like Frutiger, a heavier weight for the title, roman or light weights for the rest.
The painting is beautiful – you’re very talented and yes, I’d happily hang it on my wall as well!
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