The M.18 was gifted to the Royal Museum after the Strathallan auction

It didn’t go directly to East Fortune, but was restored to flying condition. I recall seeing it in the air at the inaugural (and only?) Cumbernauld Airshow in 1989.

Found a pic:

https://flic.kr/p/6atwu9

I’d forgotten what a good show that was!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urwl_d8CFS0

The museum should move on the likes of the Morane Criquet and use the cash to get some serious work done on the Beaufighter or alternatively send it back to Portugal where it really belongs .

As one who contributed to her purchase, I’d rather they didn’t!

it says at the RAf museum there were three. Did they build one out of the three airframes? If so they have parts in store which could lead to a reconstruction?

The RAF History (which I think they should link to with QR codes) acknowledges Newark’s role and also explains what happened to the other parts, which are still stored. (and why it remains wingless)

Wings not rebuilt due to cost and shortage of drawings.

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/collections/1988-0208-A-WESTLAND-WALLACE.pdf

I’d have a look at dark Admiralty Grey, which is the colour used on modern cockpits

It is basically a tat shop now Bruce, with a few dog-eared books up one corner almost as an afterthought. A far cry from the old Stuart Howe days.

I recall that, and spending a fortune in books when I was there. If they have cut down, then I suspect that they were not selling them – no doubt the internet will have hit their sales like anything else – no need to nip up to Hendon to get the latest tome when you can order it online, often at a discount. Hannant’s local shop will have hit the kit sales as well I’m sure.

Time will tell how this works out.

Hi all, was reading through a book covering various RAF./RN. drone programmes at the weekend, which mentioned a few proposals such as the Swift F1, Gnat T.2 and ex USAF. QF.100 for RAF. use,
I was wondering if anyone out there had heard of retired EE. Lightning’s being proposed for such duties ? (possibly in lieu of the Sea Vixen perhaps, which I understand suffered from exhaust masking at certain angles)

many thanks, Joe

Mentioned here:

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1984/1984%20-%200278.html

So someone was talking about it in 1984

I may have sold you an urban myth re the Vixen!

Phil Buttler’s War Prizes book lists the fate of many, No47 MU at Sealand got a lot of them, and Brize Norton got others (Fw189 for example).