RE: Spitfire 3 – How I dream of airshows!

I think the person you are refering to might be Guy Black who seems to have done quite well out of ‘swaps’.
The Spitfire which was acquired in exchange for the Bristol F.2b was actually Spitfire MK.9 MK912. The ‘Bristol’ was constructed on the basis of a Weston-On-The-Green frame and a large pile of static parts to make the excellent example which is now on display at Brussels. All this work was carried out by Skysport Engineering to their ‘usual’ standards.
I guess that Spitfire is now worth £1 million whereas a Bristol Fighter constructed from static parts would have a value of £ 75-120
K.
Regarding Spitfire XIV RN201 – she was received in return for
Fairey Battle R3950 which departed to Brussels circa 1990 after a number of years of uncertainty in the U.K when she had been auctioned but failed to reach ‘serious’ money – from memory she was bid to £39,000.If you could acquire an aircraft for that kind of money and
swop it for a Spitfire I believe most people would !
She is now on display in Belgian markings and has a safe and secure future in a coutry where she is a fine tribute to the
gallant British and Belgian crews lost in 1940.

RE: Salvage Squad – 11 Feb

Mike – neither of the machine’s you mention are in Spain. Shuttleworth sold their machine to Kermit Weeks and the RAFM still have their’s. The RAFM gained a CASA built Bucker Jungmann in exchange
for a rotorhead and other components from a Avro C.30 which went to Spain to help with an airworthy ‘new build’ gyro.

RE: malta hurricane

Because the knowledge of Hurricane building techniques has improved dramatically in the last ten years and the equipment exists to ‘square’ tubing so the components can be manufactured quicker.
The other advantage they probably have is that they don’t have the damp and dismall climate from which we suffer so the is more incentive to get out in the workshop!

RE: Message for Ashley.!

Peter – I quite like some of the post war mods carried out to the Canadian Lanc’s and hope that some are kept in the maritime fit.

RE: ‘Night Flight’-The Verdict

The rear 21 feet belongs to Skysport Engineering and was refurbished for use in the film. The other remaining section in the U.K is at Sandtoft and consists of from the crew door forward to the wing join.

RE: ‘Night Flight’-The Verdict

Unfortunately we always will have a problem making a accurate Bomber Command film as we are so short of any aircraft of the period. The Hampden – Wellington-Whitley and Stirlind won’t ever star in the air so we will be subjected to the easier course i.e Spitfire and to a lesser degree the Hurricane in front of the camera.

RE: Message for Ashley.!

Peter – the original Merlin 224’s were actually removed in Canada as part of the Canadian authorities allowing her to be exported. This was when she was in the ownership of Doug Arnold so I don’t know what type of engines are now fitted.
Regards Duxford I don’t believe that it’s the museum policy to ground run engines and it also massively increases the cost of maintaining her . Accident’s have happened during ground runs of aircraft and maybe they perceive that the risk isn’t worth it.

RE: East Kirkby Thanks

Having spoke to friends at East Kirkby you can rest in the knowledge that they were rewarded for the use of the Lancaster and indeed the facilities there.
The airfield caravan which features in the taxi shot was donated to the museum filling a gap that has been missing for many years and the financial investment in the Lancaster will help considerably in the next few years. Previous to the film the Lancaster had been unable to carry out fast taxi’s and ‘tail ups’ – she can now and that is what your licence fee has paid for.