Any chance of you flying it and thus not see it fly?

Is it possible to fly into Eindhoven on that day?

Bring it Harm’s way! Seriously, I don’t think those Iraqi’s are really interested in these relics (they have more important things on their minds I guess) so bring the airplane out and find a good home for it. Better get it out and in relative safety than let it stay with the risk that someday there will be nothing left of it.

A friend of mine was building a Europa as well at the time the series was first aired on television. He was quite critical of the programme and was adament that the aircraft was not built by mr. Evans but was effectivively built by either the manufacturer or other professionals.

Cees,

Question: how “original” do you think MJ271 is? Remember this particular aircraft did not go on display inside the Aviodrome (or Aviodome for that part) directly after it’s last flight in service with the air force. It first went to a small museum in Delfzijl, apparently losing such parts as the rudder, elevator, tailwheel, canopy and prop. As the aircraft was displayed outside and close to the sea corrosion took it’s toll. It would appear that the aircraft got a fair share of fresh metal during it’s subsequent restoration and a load of “new” parts to replace missing parts.

I agree that this machine is a nice example of a Spitfire but in my opinion not in the same class as for instance the P-38 at NASM or the Corsair in Yeovilton.

Again, I’m sorry to see it leave (for the time being at last) but look forward to seeing a Firefly emerge from restoration and seeing the proceeds being used to restore other aircraft in the Aviodrome collection.

Harm-Jan

Hi Cees,

I find it difficult to judge the actions of the Aviodrome as I do not have all the details (who sold what, for what price/conditions) op the transactions that sees it lose a nice Spit and gain a rather neglected Firefly.

When I last visited the Aviodrome a couple of months ago I was rather disappointed by the quality and variety of the aircraft on display and the fact that the museum seemed to be lacking focus. When I visited the museum had 3 F-27’s on display (1 actually a F-27-050 but the difference is too small for most visitors to notice), 3 DC-3’s, 2 DC-2’s, 5 S-11’s and 2 Kolibrie helicopters. Even to me as an enthousiast all this duplication seemed a waste of resources that does nothing to attract the general public.

Apart from this duplication there were a large number of aircraft on display or in storage that could use some TLC such as the Grumman Tracker, Fokker C-V, B-747, DC-4, Neptune etc, work that could really enhance the overall appearance of the museum. Selling a Spitfire for a decent number of Euro’s and investing this money in the restoration of some of the other aircraft or the construction of additional hangars seems a good deal to me. It’s a pity we are losing a Spit, but we could gain a lot more. And to be honest, I think a Firefly is an aircraft that has historical relevance to our country, is missing is our collections and as such is a valuable addition.

All in all I think the Aviodrome might have made a smart move, let’s just wait and see what happens and see how they invest the money they just made.

Harm-Jan

I have 1 Hampden lost to Flak on august 8 1940 that crashed at a place called Oosthuizen. I have no idea where to find Oosthuizen, could this be near The Hague? All other Hampden losses in Holland in august and september that I know of occured at places that are known and none was at Ockenburg.

The Hampden lost on august 8 was P2077 form 44 sq. Waddington. The crew of 4 survived and were taken prisoner.

Harm-Jan Strating

Could this be a typo? My information on surviving Mustangs does list a c/n 122-38604, a P-51-D-20NA, USAAF s/n 44-72145, airworthy, registered N51PT and owned/operated by Castlewood Air Motive Inc.

Harm-Jan Strating