Cosford’s Varsity in 2007:

Does anyone have any pictures of the RAF Museum’s reclusive Valletta? I’ve only ever seen one rather hazy shot of a fuselage, and have always wondered if they hold a set of wings and whether, given its rarity, it will ever get restored and out on display. It’d look very nice next to the Varsity, the only such display possible anywhere. I suppose it’s pretty low down the list, but are there any other factors preventing its display?

Here’s one for TwinOtter23: The Varsity at Newark from my visit earlier this spring, in which I was fascinated to be given a tour of its interior by one of Newark’s delightful volunteers.

What a beautiful gleaming machine, in a beautiful gleaming workshop! How do you keep everything so clean?!

I agree. Steve, I did ask a question about its originality (hopefully un-sullied by negativity) in the previous thread, not because I think that such things actually detract from the sight and sound of a Spitfire I in the air (far from it!) but because I am a 21-year old student who has never had the chance to tinker with Spitfires.I am honestly interested in the work and process that goes into restoring something like this: The process of going from a soggy wreck on a beach to a living, breathing, flying machine fascinates me. The originality does not for me detract from the beauty and quality of the finished product, but the process of restoration intrigues me. For that reason, I shall be very temped by Andy’s book when it comes out, but even more excited to finally see P3974 fly.

It’s well worth reading the whole of Hiram Maxim’s article in that book. His description of the “next war in the air” is soberingly prescient…
He predicts strategic bombing, the realities of fighter combat, the V-1, and even innovations like heat-seeking missiles that didn’t come into action until decades later.

Is it actually from a TSR.2? Can’t imagine there would be many of that particular engine subtype kicking around.

Also, if it was in your living room, imagine trying to dust it!

…Hyderabad?

To me any new aquisition in these relatively chastened times is to be applauded, though I do take the point about the collection policy. I would certainly like to see the Demon stay at OW and would probably prefer it to the Wildcat if given a choice, however I appreciate this is more due to me having an undue love of Hawker biplanes rather than a sensible, objective appreciation of the collecting policy.
Ultimately Shuttleworth have done a good thing: better a Wildcat than no aquisition at all. It adds a nice bit of variety to the collection where the Demon wouldn’t (yes, it looks pretty next to the Hind, but they are rather similar types). Indeed, I wholly approve of them acquiring foreign vintage types as they provide a nice contrast to their British counterparts
At any rate, it’ll still carry on being a fabulous venue with a collection to match. I made my first ever visit there for the Midsummer airshow, and came away thinking that Shuttleworth is one of the loveliest places I have ever been.

What a splendid thread. Thank you very much, Peter, for sharing your reminiscences. For a 21 year old like me the RAF of the 1950s is something one reads about in books, so your tales really bring the period to life!