The lastest on G-ASEA is that the fuselage is in my father’s workshop. Its upside down. I have removed some of the old ply at the front that was brittle. I hope to replace it soon and may be more on the sides. I haven’t done to much on it this year as i have been playing motor bikes. I got my 1949 AJS model 18 on the road and have been working on 1973 Triumph Tiger 750. But after looking at new build Comper Swift yesterday, i must get back to working on my Minor.
Dave

Happy Birthday Steve. Your still younger that me.
Best wishes Dave.

There where two Colditz gliders built, that i know of. The one that the IWM has and the one in the Norfolk and Suffork museum. This one was flown by the late John Lee, who made many of the parts . There is another one being built in the UK. I believe this will be flown as my father has over seen some of the work. Al these gliders have only one seat, not the two as the orginal had. The rear seat was facing backwards.

I last saw many of the BAC Drone parts stored by the late Mike Russell. He was storing them for someone. There was the mid section of the Drone that flew to Berlin, some wiings of another one and other parts. Mike then owned G-AEDB, this was rebuilt with wings of another one. I think cows eat the original wings! Also there where two Douglas aero engines there in store at Henham. Later one set of wing where used by Mike Maufe to bulid a BAC V11 glider which flew for a few years. After Mike Maufe’ death it was sold to someone who wished to return it to a Drone. That was the last i heared of them. I dont think any other complete Drones survive other than the one at Brookland G-AEKV and G-AEDB which my father recovered the wings for Peter Kirk.

Nice photo’s. Will look forwards to seeing the junk when you get back. I hope the junk is of real aircraft made of wood and fabric!;)

Dart Kittern G-AEXT was in fatal crash in 29/11/64. It was rebuilt by Eric Burkitt for the second time. Eric was one of the former employees of Dart Aircraft. The plans came from Manfred Weyl (AR Weyl’s son). It flew again in the mid 80’s. My father built parts G-AMJP. I have only seen drawings of the Slingsby Kitten. I also have read it was in store near Luton.
Dave

Here’s some more of a Blanik taken at Bicester taken in the late 60’s. Blanik’s had a limited service life.

I dont remember any displays in the 70’s. But i was doing my thatching apprenticeship then. But there where displays in the 60’s. I rember the gunbus breaking its undercarrage strut. Spitfire and pawnee and others racing around the downs. The Montgolfier hot air balloon and the one made by a school stuck together with sellotape. There is a video of some of this done by Ted Hull at the gliding club.
On another thing the Minimoa may fly this weekend, following its 20 year restoation.

Dave