Love the “Zerovard”, AA. 

Have tried searching for info on the Blanik but, other than the fact it was flown by John Cardiff, I’ve found nothing more.

Which also had T-6/SNJs converted to “Kates” 

Hi Duggy,

I got into the nose art gallery albeit in a roundabout way (please don’t ask how!). The aircraft in your photo is MZ500 of 640 Sqn. Details here –

https://www.old.bombercommandmuseum.ca/noseart/?fid=1022&go=Go

Lovely to meet you too, FarlamAirframes.

It really was a great day. Thanks and well done to the museum for arranging the event and to all the exhibitors who turned up. There was an interesting variety of cockpits and projects to see some of which were totally new to me – the Airspeed Oxford Restoration Project and Hangar 1914 Sopwith Tabloid replica project. 

The Cheetah engine sounded amazing! Interesting to see the Anson Mk.1 alongside it too.

Hope the event goes well again today. It’s well worth a visit.

A-B has the following info on YL-ABS – took part in the Isle of Man race in May 1939 and was at Elmdon on 8th August that year piloted by Philip de Walden Avery who had negotiated a dealership with the company in 1938. It then participated in the Folkestone Aero Trophy Race according to A-B but this is at odds with British Racing and Record Breaking Aircraft which state that it was YL-ABG which took part in that race.

YL-ABS remained in Britain through the war and was re-discovered at Hanworth in 1946 with outer wings and engine removed and still wearing the pre-war race number 15 on the tail. Dismantled and still in U.K. 25.5.47

Hope something there of help, AA

That is a pity, AA. Those photographs would be highly interesting. 

Re. the aircraft in the movie being kept outdoors in a back lot or at the film location – I gather much of Elstree studios was requisitioned during the war so possibly there was no space there for storing older aeroplanes. 

Air-Britain states both G-ABJX and G-EBWU were sold to Cecil James Packer of Burton Garage, Chippenham, Wilts. There’s an interesting article about him here (though no mention made of either of those aircraft) –

https://burtonvillage.org/2021/11/28/burton-history-cecil-james-packer-…

Sadly killed in 1947 in a Piper Cub crash in the Channel.

It certainly is a puzzle, Geoff. Good idea contacting the Fishery though.