So how much ‘damage’ is done by the fact that this replica is in an international standard museum, but its a complete fake?

I expect 99% of visitors have no idea as it looks exactly the same as if it were real. On the other hand its only value to future generations is that it will provide a fascinating insight in to the manufacturing processes of fibre-glass replica fighters in the late C20, rather than a fascinating insight in to the manufacturing process of the P-51 Mustang in the mid C20!

She has her old one back: G-IXCC. Owner presumably wishes to keep her over here for a while perhaps?

Unfortunately old buildings often become redundant in their current use and new uses need to be found for them. In the past the solution has often been to simply develop and build anew. This is a process quite familiar to Georgian and Victorian developers (ironically it is their products we now strive to preserve). The problem really is the way in which the new uses are intergrated with the need to preserve the historic fabric, contents and setting of the building. In the case of the Priory the interior, mainly by the iconic architect Sir John Soane, has, I understand, lost many of its details in a fire some years ago, although the shape and proportion of those rooms are quite intact. More important to the aviation historian are those rooms associated with the occupation of Fighter Command in WWII and this presents some difficulties to the MOD if they wish to maximise the value of the property to developers but at the same time win planning and listed building (its grade II*) consent for the development, vital if the sale is to proceed. The fact that these consents have to be obtained is the key to the preservation of the principal Fighter Command/WWII rooms, most significantly the entrance and Lord Dowding’s office. It is most unlikely in my opinion that consents will be forthcoming without the presentation of a sustainable scheme to preserve these rooms and make them available for public view.

Fortunatley the appointed architects, Robert Adam Architects are highly skilled and experienced in dealing with such treaured buildings and historic settings. I worked as a senior associate of this firm over a period of eight years and I am familiar with the excellent work they are capable of. The new houses in the grounds will, I am sure, be sensitivley and carefully designed to complement the mansion, Adam being a great admirer of Soane.

Its sad that things have to move on and change but often they must. If however the process of change is carefully managed and implemented it can be, in the case of a wonderful historic building such as Bentley Priory, vital for its long term preservation.

I shall watch the development of this sale with interest.

so in effect she is an operational aircraft of the Raf? (

Yes

Please excuse my ignorance, but is this the “plastic” hurricane mentioned ?

No – but you are excused!

You keep bringing this subject up when the likely reason for the aircraft moving is, as pointed out elsewhere in this thread, its winter maintenance. On the thread that you point out Martin K makes a statement on behalf of the management of LAHC, if there was any substance to all of this don’t you think they would have commented?

They have ‘commented’, I have simply quoted from the aviation centres own website mentioned in the first post on this thread which says “Final Departure – The Spitfire takes off from East Kirkby for the last time. Spitfire MJ627 has left East Kirkby for the last time as it is relocated to another airfield.”

The words ‘final departure’ and ‘left for the last time’ seem pretty clear to me and do not hint at a temporary move. All I am doing is looking at the site contolled by the airfied operator, I do not have any ‘inside’ information’ and I am not speculating. It does however seem quite clear to me from this that the aircraft has moved permenantly. As to why this has happened I am afraid I have no idea but wish it and its operational team well at its new location, wherever that may be.

Wing is now finished and was delivered to Aspecs just before Christmas. It has been temporarily mated to the fuselage – fabulous progress! For new pictures see http://www.fighterfactory.com/restoration/dehavilland-mosquito-aircraft.php

Gosh – thanks chaps 😮

And yes it is very strange day to have a birthday – its what happens when your mum gets pregnant on or near April Fools day and it turns out not be a joke!