Thanks very much for the picture Willip, do you have any more? I have attached another showing a slightly different scheme taken in 1957. I believe that this photo is from the Cyril Peckham Collection. Does anyone know the main fuselage colour?

Several gliders in the G-AL** series can be seen in the 1949 film clips section here:

http://scalesoaring.co.uk/Movies/Movies.html

The short cut titles are out of line with the links.

Robert

The other gun, and the wood for wing no. 4. Our Camel will also be fitted with a bomb rack and 4 20lbs Cooper bombs.

Wing no.3 on the table. Wings 1 & 2 are complete, and can just be seen on the stands beyond the fuselage in the first picture.

Will take some new pictures tomorrow, Ollie. Quite a bit of progress since Eddie’s photos were taken.

Robert M.

A friend of mine runs a Mosquito web site, that is worth a look:

http://WWW.mossie.org

He has collected quite a bit of technical data, I will ask him for a definitive answer.

Robert M.

Hi Melvyn and Andy,
I have been an active member of NAW since 1995, and can expand a little on the DH2 situation. We have been given copies of all of the information gathered by Cross & Cockade International DH2 Project, the result of very thorough research by a team headed by Barrington Gray. This includes copies of 3 original 1/8th Scale GA drawings, an Airco “Principal Dimensions” drawing, 62 pages of data for an unpublished Airco spare parts list and some original factory photos of major sub-assemblies. There are many other original documents, including dimensioned aerofoil cross sections, fuel system schematics and rigging instructions. Mr. Gray has compiled a chronological list of modifications as detailed in official RFC communications, letters from RFC Pilots etc. There is a non disclosure agreement in place.

The project is currently at a feasibility stage, and this includes the creation of a full set of drawings by Trevor Foreman, now at an advanced stage. A “Stress scheme” created by a volunteer from BAE Systems has already been approved by the powers that be, and full stressing of the airframe design will occur in due course.

It will not be possible to say how near the new drawings are to the originals, unless a set turn up. The DH2 was, however, an early and uncomplicated design and with the level of original and contemporary data available, we should not be too far away.

On the subject of why build a DH2, I could run out of space! Historically, the DH2 superior to its main rival, the Fokker monoplane, and was flown by notable pilots including Lanoe Hawker and James McCudden. A major front line fighter, it equipped 24, 29 and 32 squadrons amongst others, claiming many victories. The Shuttleworth collection do not have a WW1 “Pusher fighter” and so it would fill a very large gap, and yes, we have picked the colour scheme!

Robert M.

BBC Local news is reporting ther following this morning:

“Fans fear historic plane may be lost

An historic transport aircraft could be sold for scrap, despite attemps by enthusiasts to ensure its survival

Receivers at the Army Transport Museum in Beverley have said that they want the old Blackburn Beverley aircraft removed as soon as possible.

Enthusiasts had been trying to raise the money to move it to the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York.

Now, they said they fear the receivers will not give them enough time to save the unique plane.”

Robert M.

Royal Good Wishes
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has sent his best wishes to the Museum’s ‘initiative’ to save the last remaining example of the Blackburn Beverley transport aircraft, once the pride of the former Museum of Army Transport at Beverley, East Yorkshire.
In a reply to Ian Dewar, Operations Manager, His Royal Highness’s Equerry Lieut. Cmdr. Alastair Graham RN said, ‘His Royal Highness was most grateful for your letter and hopes that you will be successful in your endeavour to save the aircraft for the Yorkshire Air Museum.’
Lieut. Cmdr. Graham has also forwarded details to the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop which The Prince of Wales knows as Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, seeking their support and assistance.
Ian Dewar said, ‘This is a really tremendous boost to our campaign to save this aircraft. His Royal Highness has many commitments and to take the time to send these good wishes was most thoughtful and considerate. I am pleased to record that having spoken to the Official Receiver’s appointed assistant, I feel more confident in our ability to save this aircraft from the scrapyard. I understand there are still ownership claims to be considered. The Museum would remain willing to offer advice and support when the ownership is resolved.’

From the Yorkshire Air Museum website.

Robert M.