Duxford Tuesday January 31st:
Vampire T.11 WZ590 was moved this morning to allow for a few weeks of painting. There’s acres of dayglo to be applied, should brighten up the paintshop a bit:
The B-17 fuselage has moved back across the hangar, already being prepared for the next stage in the painting programme:
In Hangar 2, it’s the Harvard’s turn at winter maintenance:
The bitter cold with rain and snow didn’t deter Terence from a morning’s shuffling:
Duxford Sunday January 29th:
The IWM B-17 was briefly visible this morning in all its olive-drab beauty. There is still some touching-up and a lot of details and markings to complete before the crew will be satisfied, but the fuselage will be put aside for a while to allow a painting programme for the Vampire T.11. The colour balance on this picture doesn’t show the green very well ( and before anyone comments, the uneven reflections are from shadows of the overhead gantry ). The small dents are prop-ice damage characteristic to all B-17s and most other big props. ‘735 wouldn’t look right without them. Note also the blind landing antenna refitted:
There is always something to learn in Hangar 2. Here is the Gladiator’s prop hub exposed. The bolt-tightening sequence is obviously important, hence the lettering (and use of X instead of H to avoid confusion with I ) Clear as mud…
Finally a puzzle. These spare parts in transit with TFC stumped me for a while, until the aircraft concerned was pointed out to me. I could also have read the label. I’m sure there will be a race to post an ident, but if not I’ll edit in the answer later.
By coincidence, I scanned this today:
Pictured 19-10-96, it shows the huge amount of work put into the project since.
Duxford Thursday January 26th:
No ‘news’ from Duxford today, but a there were a few photo opportunities starting with a TFC sunshine shuffle ( gracefully choreographed as usual, only lacking the background music ):
The Beech D17S G-BRVE was looking great in the winter sun:
Solar flares have been in the news recently, I think I caught one behind the Spitfire FR.XIVe:
Also outside was the F8F-2P Bearcat G-RUMM/121714:
And naturally, ‘Snafu’ was the star of the show:
Among today’s visitors was this lovely Luscombe:
The RAF were out in force:
I hope to post an update on the B-17 tomorrow.
Have they decided on a paint scheme for the Blenheim yet? Would be neat to see it in all over black colors like the first ones were?
I can’t speak for the Blenheim team, but this artwork features on the display boards and could be a strong hint of things to come…..
Have they decided on a paint scheme for the Blenheim yet? Would be neat to see it in all over black colors like the first ones were?
I can’t speak for the Blenheim team, but this artwork features on the display boards and could be a strong hint of things to come…..
Duxford Tuesday January 10th:
Painting has started in Hangar 5 on the B-17G fuselage:
An invitation to check on Blenheim progress showed some additions including a venturi tube fitted on the nose:
Another view of Spitfire MH434 undergoing winter maintenance:
Visiting Army Lynx:
Duxford Tuesday January 10th:
Painting has started in Hangar 5 on the B-17G fuselage:
An invitation to check on Blenheim progress showed some additions including a venturi tube fitted on the nose:
Another view of Spitfire MH434 undergoing winter maintenance:
Visiting Army Lynx:
My query on VC-10 G-ASGC has been answered by Andy Robinson, who kindly provided some pictures of the repainting process between April 1987 and March 1988. This is a poor copy of a good slide taken on 2nd August 1987:
My query on VC-10 G-ASGC has been answered by Andy Robinson, who kindly provided some pictures of the repainting process between April 1987 and March 1988. This is a poor copy of a good slide taken on 2nd August 1987:
Question….. On Mary Alice and Sally B, what are the slightly raised panels under the captains window? Armour plate?
Thank you 🙂
These are ‘quick’ detachable panels to allow access to control runs and wiring.
Duxford Friday January 6th:
Terence the Tug saved the day again, bringing the HAC Hurricane and Spitfire into the bright sunshine :
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