Drat!

I am now reduced to flipping through the book page by page!
The upper wing is a Latecoere 302; the rear engine from a C.A.M.S. 55.10; under wing float from a BV 138

Must get out more………………..

Hi Atreyu

Suggest you try a search on:

Courtesy Aircraft

Platinum Fighter Sales

Trade a Plane (under their “warbird” section)

Then buy a lottery ticket – sit back and dream…………………

Hi Chris

Good luck with the 1:48 Spitfire quest, I started out on the same road nearly five years ago and I certainly agree with your list showing the main visual characteristics of the various Spitfire and Seafire marks.

I set out to have a collection that showed as many of those features as possible, so at least one has a 2-blade prop., at least one has a tropical filter, at least one has extended wing tips, etc. I decided to complicate things by planning to model at least one of each air arm that operated the type. ( I make that 27 by the way, when counting naval arms such as the FAA and Aeronavale separately).

Five years on I have 48 completed models in a showcase and at least 9 more to go!

Congratulations on the completion of a successful project. My late father was a resident of Swindon at the time of the crash and could vividly recall the prolonged rising engine note of what he described as the crash of a US Army Lightning in the woods near the Burderop hospital on Swindon outskirts. It helps to get the extra detail to add to his recollections.

Looks like there is some progress; the Oxford Mail web page is carrying a story to the effect that the first stage of bidding has closed but the identity of the bidders and how many there are is commercially sensitive information. It seems that the whole purchase process is targeted to be completed by Spring 2013.

The report continues:

Bomber Command Heritage chairman Dean Overton said: “The minute the starting gun goes off we have to pay solicitor, architect and expert fees and we are actively fund raising for that.

“We are going to need £70,000 to £80,000 just to get everything at a stage where we can make a bid.”

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/bicester/9948433.Museum_still_hopes_to_purchase_airfield/?ref=rss

It is reassuring to see that there is so much enthusiasm for the Bicester heritage airfield project, however it would surely help those of us who would like to commit financial support, if BCH could make it clear how much they need to raise in the short term to secure the initial purchase and their further operations in the short term.
It is clear that whoever acquires the site could immediately incur some considerable liability for the maintenance of four hangars and a range of listed buildings on a site of over 300 acres. Then there is the matter of the Scheduled Ancient Monuments that encompass the bomb stores and airfield defence structures. The local council has expressed its concern over the poor state of some of the buildings, especially since the Ministry of Defence – under Crown Immunity – could not be compelled to carry out repairs, whereas a private purchaser could well find themselves with a legal liability to carry out costly works.
The idea is an excellent one, but with a commitment to purchase said to be so close, surely the many potential supporters would wish to be reassured that their planned donations will be wisely applied.

This sounds very promising. Is BCH now in a position to state how much it needs to raise in order to proceed to stage one of the project, i.e acquisition of the site and establishment of the minimum presence required at the venue?
It would help to have a clear idea of the scale of funding still needed before individuals commit to the financial donations that are being sought.