It was generally regarded as pioneering aspects of aircraft design that later became standard, and was recommended as such by the Air Ministry.
Particularly in cockpit design and accesability to componants for servicing etc. It was an advanced aircraft before the Spiteful.

I’m not saying it was a better aircraft, but it was regarded as important in fighter design.

In the same fashion the Spiteful/Seafang was important using the laminair flow wing technology, leading to the Attacker and the Spiteful was the fastest piston engined fighter at 494 mph. Both types have their merits.:p

Just to be sure, in the first post of this thread I mentioned display at the RAFM, but not necessarily a project initiated by this fine museum. IIRC Elliott mentioned that if the Whitley airframe was complete it was intended for display at the RAFM. Alex Henshaw started the project for a replica Mew Gull which is now on display at Hendon (with no RAF-connection).

For this thread I am more looking to hear you views regarding the nuts and bolts instead of arguing which type. It’s about the reconstruction of an extinct aircraft regardless of type. What can be done.

Cheers

Cees

The Short Stirling and AWA Whitley must rate at the most significant RAF WW2 types missing from any collection.

They both had operational careers in WW2, and a physical example of each would be the best way to form a long lasting memorial to those crew who lost their lives while flying in them.

Not forgetting the Manchester remembering the crews who not only had to face the enemy but with unreliable engines as well. But suggesting to chop up a Lancaster would be sacrilege. There is a substantially complete York in the arctic, would be a nice source of parts:)

Cees

Thanks for the constructive remarks chaps,

This thread is intended to see what can be realistically possible by reconstruction (semi:D) extinct aircraft types. I chose the Spitful/Seafang because of it’s large similarity to the Spitfire and the current restoration industry that would make sure an accurate airframe could be built.

Mark P, the Halifax is a similar situation as YAM used the complete wings of Hastings TG536 as the wings are Halifax based (with a larger span intermediate section between the engines) and using recovered parts/sections. Combine the cockpit of PN323 with YAM’s airframe and you are a long way in the right direction for a full blown 100% authentic airframe.

OK, there is a difference of opion about whether a Spiteful/Seafang is important or not. Display at the RAF Museum is just meant as an example, I don’t think the FAA Museum would refuse a Seafang would they?:D

If we look at really important types then take the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin as an example as this is an important interwar type and there are large sections such as upper wings surviving that could form the basis of a good quality reconstruction as SkySport Engineering did to the Bulldog.

Of course there are large sections of Stirling in storage but the bulk of the Stirling airframe (funds, space etc.) would rule that out. Better have the Stirling Project take on that part as well as Elliott is doing to the Whitley Project and David to the Hornet etc.

Better spread the work on various types than wasting a lot of energy on different projects at the same time by the same organisation I would say. Although cooperation will be important. If all the Bulldog parts hadn’t been gathered the current airframe would be much more difficult to reconstruct.

There are parts suviving of most extinct aircraft but they are scattered but it would be useful if some form of cooperation could be established of which we can all benefit. But that will be difficult if not impossible to be realistic.

The past two decades has seen some interesting reconstructions (Albacore, Bulldog, Battle, Northrop seaplane at Gardermoen to name a few) others are in the pipeline such as the Hampden at Cosford, Sopwith Dolphin and given time there will be more in the future. Perhaps Steve Vizard will start his Westland Whirlwind reconstruction.

Anyone with hands on experience in this field feel free to comment.

Cheers
Cees