Duxford Wednesday March 7th:
I dropped in to Hangar 4 this morning to assure XV474 that she was still wanted. Her wingtips have been folded in the last couple of days, either a defensive posture or to make room for a certain orange aircraft:
With seats and canopy fitted, the Vampire is nearly ready for the spotlight:
Guns are installed:
The feed mechanisms are visible, right next to the fuel system:
The Catalina in Hangar 2 looking high and dry during undercarriage work:
The Wildcat is now fully ‘pimped’:
A centre-line drop tank was seen next to ‘SNAFU’:
Now fitted, the aircraft should be able to reach an airshow in Berlin unescorted:
By comparison, the AAM P-47 drop tank:
Duxford Tuesday March 6th:
First stop today was the American Air Museum, where Spring cleaning is well under way:
The extra lighting was a big help:
In Hangar 5, finishing touches are continuing with Vampire T.11 WZ590. The ejection seats will be among the last additions to the cockpit before next Tuesday’s roll-out:
But my luck really kicked in with Hangar 2. Just when I thought I had run out of new angles on ‘Snafu’, I was offered the chance of a closer inspection. After a lengthy climb, I found myself at the rarified altitude of the P-47 office.
It is BIG
The panel is very close to wartime specs, just a couple of mods. Everything needs SatNav these days:
The gunsight is prominent and reminds us of the original purpose of the beast:
View forwards:
View behind:
The wing gunbay access:
I took advantage of the altitude to get another angle on the Fiat CR.42:
The Wildcat seemed different:
The TFC Art Department is busy again:
Many thanks to TFC for a fascinating look at their masterpiece.
With little happening at Duxford over the weekend, I can only offer another archive shot. With Sally B is C-47 G-AKNB, in RAF marks for the filming of ‘The Dirty Dozen-Next Mission’. Unusually the marks carried, FD789, are correct for the airframe. (Edit, marks may not have been applied specifically for this film). I believe it was used to drop Lee Marvin and his Hollywood stereotypes into France and kill the German General plotting to kill Hitler.
Photo taken at Duxford 29-5-85.
I thought I’d revive this old thread with the good news of Ariadne’s immaculate presence at Old Warden today. Back in fine fettle at 76 years of age.
Duxford Friday March 2nd:
Thanks to Roobarb for the Buchon shots, that aircraft proved elusive last year on its early flights, looks like history is repeating itself. At least Terence gave me a chance this morning:
Another Luftwaffe scheme seen on the ongoing Nord 1002 project:
With TFC, a few details recorded, starting with the new Wildcat name:
More from Hangar 2:
Next door, both Catalina and Chipmunk have seen progress with their tail-feathers:
Finally, remarkable progress with the Hispano 20mm cannon intended for the Vampire T.11, with a chance to compare ‘before and after’:
Duxford Tuesday February 28th:
Work on the Sea Venom in Hangar 3 was a surprise today:
A raiding party was caught gun-running, two of the Sea Venom’s guns will be installed in the Vampire T.11:
Another hangar shuffle this afternoon:
And just when you think you’ve seen it all, a rocket powered Vauxhall was towed onto the runway:
Results from the first run were not quite up to Vauxhall Viva performance, though slightly noisier:
Today I managed to get some photos to update last Tuesday’s thread. On arrival at Old Warden, I was met with the promising sight of open hangar doors:
Sure enough, the Avro 504K was moved out for engine runs:
Only the sunshine was missing from a glorious sight:
The ‘new’ engine was eager to start:
It sounded very happy at high power:
The based Ryan PT-22 was also active today:
And finally, a better view of the Wildcat awaiting assembly:
With thanks once again to all at Old Warden
Duxford Sunday February 26th:
A day of bright Spring sunshine, and plenty of volunteers at work. The Vampire’s fuselage tank has now been fitted:
A team at work on engine assembly:
The TFC P-40F has not been pictured recently, the long process of certification continues:
TFC volunteers have been tidying up, you won’t need telling what these spare parts are from:
The based Cosmic Wind was out in the sun briefly:
Dragon Rapide G-AGJG was active today:
In contrast, another executive transport was in the circuit, only 70 years or so between them:
An unusual overflight, I’d like to see their photos:
Thanks as usual to all at Duxford for their help with photo opportunities.
Duxford Friday February 24th:
An uneventful morning, but some more additions to the Vampire were noted.
The fuselage fuel tank (sourced via a forum member) is ready for installation:
Nosewheel door added:
Rear fuselage completed (the engine assembly will take a while longer):
Elsewhere I found ‘Yellow 10’ still resting. If Roobarb has lost his pyjamas, I think I know where he left them:
A clearer view of the TFC Bearcat:
Those guys are at it again:
Duxford Tuesday February 21st:
Very little to report today from Duxford. The paintshop is now filling up with B-17 sections for another session of spraying.
I made a meticulous survey of building work at the Eastern airfield boundary. This is going to be either a new Arco hangar or the long promised Naughty Field exclusion zone. I am told that the razor wire and minefield will be in place by the end of June……
Could be the first Fence Post on this forum
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