Three more from today, just to get the speculation going:
The TFC Gladiator had her cockpit and engine covers removed today!
The sun is setting on Duxford’s VC-10:
The B-17G painting has started (is it primer or Coastal Command gray?):
Duxford Wednesday December 7th:
No updates from a quick visit this morning, but I took the opportunity to record the TFC P-40B on a significant date. 70 years ago, the aircraft on which this rebuild centred was present in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbour. Today it was in the background and not offering a good angle, so I include a picture from 2007 shortly after its arrival:
Duxford Tuesday December 6th:
A crowded Hangar 2 today:
Here for nearly 6 years, the Fiat CR.42 G-CBLS has been repositioned:
In Hangar 5, the B-17G conservation continues, the blind landing antenna now fitted:
As the long process of paint stripping nears the end, part of the old French registration F-BDRS is visible:
And underneath the other outer wing section can be seen the original FAA registration N68269:
Duxford Monday December 5th:
An early Christmas present from TFC as a hangar shuffle brought a handful of warbirds out into the cold this morning. I can only speculate that it is to make room for Santa’s sleigh…
Anyone who is bored with the P-47 should look away now.
I have identified a few more pictures from the Shoreham event. The date was 21st May 1960.
G-ADNB, DH.87B Hornet Moth became N36DH in 1971 and is believed on rebuild in Canada:
G-AFJU, Miles M.17 Monarch. On retirement it spent time at Strathallan and East Fortune and is now believed on rebuild in France:
G-AIED, Percival P.28 Proctor I (Wfu by 1965):
G-AJZO, Miles M.65 Gemini (W/O 4-69):
G-AKHC, Miles M.65 Gemini (W/O 9-65):
G-AKRN, DH.89A Dragon Rapide (Wfu 1960):
G-ALAW, Miles M.38 Messenger I (Wfu by 1967):
G-APAM, Thruxton Jackaroo ‘Myth’ (converted back to Tiger Moth and still active 2011). Can anyone identify the badge on the nose?:
G-APOY, DHC-1 Chipmunk 22A. This was sold in Norway in 1971 but seems to be still ‘off the radar’. Any news?
Duxford Friday December 2nd:
I notice this thread has passed 200,000 hits. Thanks to all for your interest.
Another significant number, 210 days until:
In Hangar 5, a different paint stripper is in use (No, it is not a sign of the new colour scheme). Note the ‘new’ tyres:
The crew has a new volunteer (probably just for the festive season):
Vampire T.11 WZ590 now has fins and rudders attached. There is still a lot to do, but she is looking more complete every visit:
Duxford Wednesday November 30th:
I notice from G-INFO that Spitfire I P9374 / G-MKIA is now in possession of a Permit To Fly. Congratulations to the ARCo team for an achievement to rival the rebuild itself. As if to celebrate, a sortie in the sunshine today included the usual polished display routine. The light was very challenging for photography, but winter flying shots are rare even at Duxford.
BM597 has long been my favourite Spitfire, I think the V and IX have the ‘purest’ lines of the family. Here she is with MH434 at a little published event this year. May 4th was the date in 1939 when the Press got their first official look at a Service unit (19 Sq.) and on May 4th this year the occasion was marked with another photocall.
May 4th 1939 (Into sun as usual):
Duxford Monday November 28th:
Thanks to Fred Taylor for these photos of Spitfire BM597. After a busy season, it looks like some deep maintenance is in progress.
Duxford Sunday November 27th:
No flying activity to report today, although volunteer teams were hard at work as usual on a number of projects. With all the attention recently focused on P-47 ‘Snafu’, I thought I would post a reminder of the other two Thunderbolts resident at Duxford (P-47D N47DD/226413 and A-10A 77-0259)
There are, however, two new exhibits nearby. The Duxford flightline is now guarded (or threatened) by a newly acquired piece of Soviet artillery. Alongside a Gulf-veteran British tracked vehicle, this is a D-30 122mm towed howitzer captured in the 2003 Gulf War by the Royal Engineers:
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