Although not aviation related, but just to give a bit more information on the chaff cutter restoration project as it is not in the public eye……

….so far the following work has been done to it
– replacement of one of the sills (chassis beams) and partial replacement of the other due to rot and a very poor repair.
– the crossmembers that support the turntable at the front have also been replaced due to a botched repair
– the wheels are away being re-tyred (not STS or QuickFit)
– the paint is being removed to reveal the original colours under the current sprayed on salmon pink. It will be restored to its original colours – the internal sides and working are the turquois seen on the large bit of cast iron in the centre of the image. The outside is a burgundy colour.
– the metalwork, both cast and forged, is being grit blasted and repainted

Still to be done
– continued removal of the paint
– minor wood repairs
– painting of wood and metal work
– final reassembly.

This is only the main body of the machine, there are other components stored else ware at the moment that will appear when there is room.

The aim is to get it so that it can be run by one of the tractors or the traction engine.

The Shuttleworth Collection’s Spitfire is a Mk Vc, AR501, G-AWII

The wings are on the otherside of the workshop behind the photographer were they are both in jigs, one has had a few sections of skin removed, the other has been virtually dismantled and is being stripped of paint prior to inspection and re-riviting.

The fusilage, as you can see, has been had the paint removed, been inspected and re-rivited, all systems have been overhauled and refitted.

The replacement engine is safely stored awaiting fitting at the right point during the rebuild.

Dave

As I’m sure you are aware, one responsibility of a Trustee of any charitable trust is to ensure that the finances that have at their disposal are spent wisely on the core objectives

In order to help you understand why the Gannet may have been sold by Chatham to it’s current owner, might I suggest that you refer to the Chatham Historic Dockyard website, If you refer to the Dockyard Corporate Plan 2006, you will see that the 2 core objectives for the Trust are as follows

1) To secure for the public benefit the preservation and use of The Historic Dockyard at Chatham in the County of Kent in a manner appropriate to its archaelogical, historical and architectural importance;

2) To promote and foster for the public benefit a wider knowledge and understanding of the archaelogical, historical and architectural significance of The Historic Dockyard.

I see no mention in there of anything aviation related, and I would not expect to as this site was involved in the construction of some of the ships that made this country the greated naval power in the world for most of the 19th century. As the core collection on this site is the buildings I would suggest that a Fairey Gannet – at the risk of stating the obvious, is an aircraft – would not fit in with their core objectives and the conservation of it would therefore be at the bottom of their list of priorities. I am not sure if you have ever been to visit the Chatham dockyard, but one thing that will strike you when you go it that it is on the side of a hill that slopes down to the river medway with dry docks and covered slips along the edge of the river and buildings that date back over 200 years. There is not a runway or hangar in sight.

I would suggest that if you have any evidence showing that there has been any inappropriate deals between organisations or individuals, then you present your evidence to the appropriate authorities and stop making unsubstantiated suggestions.

I think that you will find that Kennet Aviation does an awful lot to support the activities of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust.

I know, I said that in my post…:p

The RLM collection was purchased by Peter Holloway about 18 months ago and several of the CAA registrations were cancelled. If you look back through this forum, or any other UK base aviation you should find some reasons given.

4 of the airframes from the Collection are now in an airworthy condition and can be seen at Old Warden in Bedfordshire where that are based with the Shuttleworth Collection.

I fly into GdG and pick up a hire car from AVIS, then round the old Périphérique to the A6 and then south.

To quote a member of this forum. “Driving around the Périphérique is character building”

Is that that new undetectable jet from the USAF.:D

No, It’s the RAF after the next round of Defence budget “alterations” by this Government

Just a thought, is the DH 61 down for maintenance or is she likely to grace their shows this year? I think I’ve got the right designation – I’m thinking of that overgrown moth type thingy (not sure but I think it’s actually called a Giant Moth). If she’s appearing then I definitely have to make it to OW this year.

By your description, I think you are talking about the dH51 “Miss Kenya”. She has flown at both of the shows this year.