RE: Message for Mr. Russ Snadden

Black 6 is nearing the end of her second restoration,this time to static display condition only.Last I heard she was still at Duxford,but she is due to be moved to the RAF Museum in the near future.
Can anyone tell me whether she’ll be going to Hendon or Cosford?

RE: Tempest/sea fury

There have been Tempests recovered from India,but I seem to remember also that some have been recovered from Pakistan,and that others may still survive there.
I agree that it would be difficult in the current political climate to mount any sort of recovery operation,but times may be better in the future.Fingers crossed.

RE: Tempest/sea fury

As I understand it,it would be rather tricky to creat a Tempest from a SeaFury,or vice-versa.There is almost no commonality of fuselage parts,if any at all,that section being a completed redesigned area.The tailcone and tailfin are also totally different,and there are numerous other differences in the tailplanes,and more especially in the wings,the SeaFury having folding wings n’all.
But do nay fret,there are a few Tempests out there that are currently waiting in the wings,with one nearing completion,so it shouldn’t be too long before we see one take to the air.
Alongside the known survivors,there are also thought to be other wrecks waiting to be recovered in Pakistan,where a number of the type have previously been recovered from.

RE: O.k. fess up!

Blimey,I must admit that I’m lost for the identity of this one. I should think you’d have trouble operating it from an aircraft carrier though!

RE: O.k. fess up!

It’s a General Aircraft GAL.38 Fleet Shadower.It was designed to meet a joint Air Ministry/Admiralty requirement for a slow-flying aeroplane that could shadow a fleet of vessels.The idea was a bit of a strange one,and fixed wing designs were shortly to be outmoded by the advent of Helicopters,so the poor old GAL.38 never had much of a chance to be a success,but it did have some rather ingenious high-lift devices on the wings to enable it to cruise at just 46mph!
It also had other interesting features like folding wings and a tricycle undercarriage.
A second design was submitted by Airspeed for the same requirement and the two designs looked very similar,although Airspeed’s AS.39 had a tailwheel undercarriage and non-folding wings.

RE: Picture of the day (2) 14/01/02

The Mk.24 VN485 was there at the show if I remember rightly,although at the time it was not in the IWM’s ownership.I think it was part of the RAF’s Exhibition Flight.
To confirm,yes this is the Spitfire society’s replica,and she is now on show at Tangmere in West Sussex.The Clive Du Cros example was painted silver and also had a polished metal spinner and a variable pitch prop rather than the one piece wooden one seen here.

RE: Aircraft identification required please

I think Moggy’s term ‘Pongo’ refers to members of the British Army. I was down at Abingdon towards the end of last year visting rellies,so I thought I’d have a nosey at the airfield whilst I was there.
The place was absolutely deserted,with no flying activity of any sort,despite the good weather.On the plus side,it’s all looking very smart,so it seems the Army know how to look after the place.From what the locals say,it seems that Abingdon will remain active for the forseeable future.