Duxford Sunday 9th March:
The TFC P-40B was the centre of attention in Hangar 2 today, with a start on the disassembly process. She was cancelled from the UK register on 13-12-13 but I haven’t traced a US registration yet:
Outside for a while:
Old Warden Wednesday 5th March:
To answer a recent question, the WW1 types are hangared together again:
Progress on the Camel replica continues. The top decking will be a tricky job, but will eventually give the airframe the characteristic ‘hump’. Much of the centre section has been removed for this next stage:
I was very privileged to be allowed a preview of the instrument panel. I believe everything is original except the turn and slip indicator:
The latest machine to receive attention is Peter Holloway’s Hawk Trainer 3:
Fascinating Facts No.3:
A reminder of the approaching 80th anniversary:
Comper Swift and Chilton DW.1A:
Don’t forget next Sunday’s Scale Model Exhibition Day. Admission is actually reduced, so it’s a good excuse for a wander around.
As usual, many thanks to all the friendly folk at Old Warden.
Duxford Wednesday 5th March:
An unusual sight in Hangar 5 was the suspended Zeppelin LZ90 Observation Car (‘Cloud Car’):
Some more detail revealed by the TFC Bearcat:
‘Sally B’ still in deep maintenance:
The day wouldn’t be complete without a couple of pics of SM845. Here returning from a day at the ARCo Hangar:
Duxford Tuesday 4th March:
I note we’ve posted 90 pics of Spitfire SM845 since it emerged just before Christmas. Here are a few more from this morning:
A pair of Pumas passed by:
Duxford Sunday 2nd March:
Nothing much to report today, although there’s much excitement building up as we approach next Friday and the start of The Spring Quilt Festival.
An upgrade to ATC facilities has started. While the work is being done there will be restrictions on visiting General Aviation until March 17th.
Just one pic to keep things going:
Duxford Wednesday 26th February:
The OFMC Mustang has returned home to Hangar 3 after work at ARCo. A few panels remain missing, allowing a view of the substantial lead ballast in the tail:
In Hangar 2, the TFC Bearcat underwent some test gear retraction. I hadn’t realised how complex the sequence is:
Terence was very busy with a hangar shuffle which brought several based and visiting light aircraft into the sunshine:
One of today’s visitors was this RV-6, significant for its 39 day round-the-world trip in 2006:
Finally, please note (you know who you are!),
This is a GRIFFON:
This is a GRIFFIN:
MT847 is now in position at Hendon as part of the ‘Britain From Above’ display. Not perfect for photos, but better than some in the museum.
Duxford Tuesday 25th February:
On Feb 2nd in Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Duxford’s Groundhog Day saw the Victor emerge into the sunshine, so Spring is obviously here to stay!
Duxford Monday 24th February:
The Shackleton has begun its journey into secure storage by being parked outside, back on the Jetpan again:
All the removed sections are in Hangar 5. Now we know what a twin-Griffon Halifax might have looked like:
Also removed from Airspace is the Lynx, now in Hangar 4:
Duxford Sunday 23rd February:
Very little to report this weekend. The IWM Mustang project in Hangar 5 continues to fascinate, with horizontal tailplane stripped and polished. Work has started on wings and rudder. It won’t be ‘Big Beautiful Doll’ for much longer, in fact it is starting to resemble the Red Bull house colours…
The Plane Sailing Catalina crew were busy again today. The new windows are coming along:
Harvard G-BUKY was busy with Classic Wings yesterday:
Today she was resting in Hangar 3, but news has arrived of a low key event in July which will highlight the T-6. There will be a Harvard Meet on July 19th/20th which could offer interested parties a closer look at a handful of machines. Full details at:
For Harvard fans, there is also a lot of interesting stuff on their Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/T6-Harvard-Aviation/1440882009466740?ref=hl
Duxford Friday 21st February:
The Airspace roof has been made safe, allowing its lunchtime opening today. Hopefully the site will now be back to normal over the busy half-term weekend.
A few signs of the damage are still in evidence:
Inside, the Typhoon and Lynx have been repositioned:
Work continues on the Shackleton. There has been a lot of discussion and speculation about this project, so I was very grateful for a run-down on the work in progress (and other IWM plans). All the activity on the Shackleton at the moment is aimed towards conservation rather than restoration. With one of the major issues concerning the state of the undercarriage, the aircraft is being dismantled for a move into Hangar 5 storage. This should hopefully arrest deterioration and will also provide valuable storage space in Airspace for airframes evicted from the American Air Museum next year. There are presently no long term plans for a restoration, but neither are there plans for disposal. The damaged prop blades were indeed sawn off. With the engine and blades all seized, it was necessary to allow the move onto the engine cradle. IWM have another set of blades in store. There is some urgency with the move, since the Quilt Show starts on March 7th!
Work continues on the IWM P-51D in Hangar 5. This is the rarely seen tailwheel assembly with the wingtips, and the cockpit canopy:
The AAM upgrade will start in early Spring next year, and the P-51D work is one of the first projects. It will be suspended, and is presently intended to carry a different 78th FG scheme.
The P-47 will stay in its current scheme, although the marking details will be improved. It will be dismantled very soon and leave AAM via the ‘B-17’ door for work in Hangar 5.
Although all the AAM fleet will be surveyed, the only other repaint will be the B-25 (scheme not decided).
The F-15 is presently being checked for suspension from the AAM roof.
So, P-51 and F-15 to enter the AAM, F-100,T-33, P-51 replica and TBM will leave. Early plans are for a TBM repaint, but the future of the F-100 and T-33 remain in the air (?). The AAM work will take around six (very busy) months. Many thanks to CK for the information.
Back to today’s visit, and the TFC Bearcat is showing some interesting detail:
The HAC Hurricane, and OFMC Spitfire and Mustang have all moved to the ARCo hangars for winter checks, but Chipmunk G-ARMG has arrived:
Finally, Spitfire SM845 was being shown off at ARCo this morning. Her return to Hangar 3 permitted yet more portraits of a beautiful machine:
SMOKING!!
Many thanks to the men in blue….
Old Warden Wednesday 19th February:
Plenty of activity in the Shuttleworth workshops again, preparing the Collection for another flying season.
There’s not much room to spare. The Camel has moved nearer the doors, as if eager for some exercise:
The Tomtit fuselage is waiting for completion of the wings:
The Lysander and ANEC II are also receiving attention:
I was allowed a privileged look behind the scenes at Dorothy. She’ll be 100 years old in June, and is presently unclad for a thorough inspection. It’s a remarkable thought that Clayton & Shuttleworth switched from building these machines to building Sopwith Camels within 3 or 4 years.
On test after Winter work was Super Cub G-SVAS:
Some building work has meant pressure on hangar space, with a few airframes sharing accommodation:
Finally, a reminder of the man who started it all:
As usual, many thanks to all at Old Warden for their help (and tolerance)
Duxford Wednesday 19th February:
A late arrival today meant missing another sortie from Spitfire SM845. I had to be content with covering its return to Hangar 3:
Also flying today was based Leopard Moth G-ACMN:
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