I have enquired about purchasing their civil Proctor V 00-ARM formerly
G-AHZY they seem more interested in letting it rot away in their damp storage facility rather then let her move on. She was originally displayed in the museum, complete and an excellent basis for rebuild to flight. Since moving out she has deteriorated and is now a shadow of the fine example she was when first displayed. The museum has a Mk 4 on display and the lovely Gull.
The Mk 4 is a former Belgium air force example so correct for the museum and their policy of displaying airframes relevant to their history the Mk V was a civil machine only. Do we have any forum members who have contacts with the museum and could argue the point in the hope that the collection would see sense and release ARM for restoration?

Croydon 2nd Jan

Can anyone elaborate please on this event. We are looking for wing tip nav lights, also the rudder id light for our proctor rebuilds. In addition the Mk 3 will have her wartime recognition lights fitted to the fuselage underside. We have two of them searching for number three! Are these the sort of items that one might find here? Its quite a trek to and from Suffolk but if folks here can tell me more i will make the effort to get across.

Matthias, great that you have time to post progress updates on your restorations. Other noted restoration shops should take note. Its information like this that we enthusiasts love to read, its much appreciated. At the rate of progress made to date with the salty 190 i imagine we will see her reborn sooner then later. Keep up the great work

Failure of casein glue became a problem quite some years after the various Miles and Percival types left the works. Sitting out in all weathers allowed damp to get into the structures gradually weakening joints until something gave way some times with disastrous consequences. Many were piled together and burnt on November the 5th in the 50’s and 60’s, the cost of repair being way in excess of their value compared with the all metal Piper and Cessna types then invading the UK market. A number of Proctors were lost during and post war after a split flap broke away on deployment with instant death from the spin that ensued. Our own Proctor rebuilds require each and every joint to be broken, then cleaned and re glued using modern Aerodux. Some of the casein joints are as good as the day they were done but no corner cutting everyone is re glued. Had Aerodux been available pre and during the war years its likely that many more Percival and Miles types would be with us now. Miles Gemini “KKB” is an original casein glued aircraft and never re worked with Aerodux. Legacy of a pampered existence and always being hangared. Some Robin aircraft today are wood and fabric built and will last for decades. I have witnessed two pieces of spruce 18 inches long glued at right angles then been invited to grab one piece whilst the other was held firm, then twisting and attempting to break the joint. My piece of spruce snapped half way along its length whilst the glued joint stayed put. Aerodux not known as wood welding for nothing!! Our Proctors when rebuilt will be better then new, always hangared and should see us out.

A.TA. Hamble

Proctor 3 LZ791 under rebuild is a former A.T.A aircraft based at Thame Haddenham. I have been in touch with a couple of the Thame based pilots who may have flown her, still looking for those elusive pool numbers that all Thame Proctors carried. Proctor flights nine times out of ten were logged with the aircrafts pool number rather then military serial,this is how over 75 Proctor flights from Thame were logged in one of the logs mentioned. I can also confirm that Hamble is listed in one of the logs. We have a nice section of fuselage side ply covering with her wartime roundel and part of the unit code showing, could bring this down if interested.

Q6

She is progressing well in the care of Rex Ford licensed engineer. He is also keeping a close eye on our progress and signing of assemblies as they are completed. There is a lot of work still to be done with the Q6 including re doing parts which was supposedly rebuilt to flight standard previously. With the Q6 and our two Proctors that’s three Percival classics that will be gracing eastern skies in the (we hope) not to distant future! Off next Wednesday to Derby to discuss engine rebuilds also off loading two U/C oleo assemblies and tail wheel for overhaul, things are moving at a pace where we will soon see the Mk 3 soon back on her feet!

Formation

Pretty sure that i read somewhere previously this was connected to HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh. Possibly types that he had flown, even the actual aircraft, happy to be corrected if not the case.

Missed

Coincidence or other, i was passing Parham a couple of weekends back and took the opportunity to pay my respect at both Rays and Marks resting places in the lovely church yard. In the distance was the drone of a Merlin engine, unseen but unmistakable in sound, could have been the Grace Mk 9 from Bentwaters, it certainly suited my mood and the occasion.