Hi Elliot,

Do you have any progress updates to share please?

Has this Gnat F1 flown yet following restoration, or is it still undergoing checks?
Its really significant that a fighter variant Gnat is flight worthy again in the UK.
Can’t wait to see it.

Hi Vega ECM,

So for your specific application depending on the three figure number that follows the 6.V.3B prefix, your wood will either be Grade B Beech ply between 1/32″ and 3/4″ thick, or Grade B Birch multi-ply between 1/4″ and 3/4″ thick.

Does anyone know what type of wood is used in plywood specification 6V3B?

I believe this a British Spec from 1930 – 40’s possibly earlier.

Any help or leads greatly appreciated.

Hello Vega ECM,
According to my Molesworth’s Aeronautical Engineers pocket book, dated 1947:

6.V.3B can be translated as:

6V3 is high strength plywood for aircraft.
B is grade B.

To get the specific type, thickness and ply, you will need an additional number, eg:

V3/140 is birch, 3/32″, 3 ply, grade A.

If you have additional numbers, I can look them up on the chart.

Sally B straight over my house at 17:10 today, Little Waltham ? @ low level.

Hurricane (most likely) or P40 heading north over Broomfield, Essex at 13:30 today.

…. there I was minding my own business looking in a northerly direction, on a hill at the Weald Country park in mid-Essex at lunchtime, when without so much as a “by your leave” 100 noisy aircraft should fly over in formation.

Folk do get a little focussed on the notion of “merging” projects or organisations.

Geographically, commercially, or personally it just doesn’t work sometimes… And yet other times it does work out.

Many projects and organisations work together. They don’t have to publish it.

Surely we have far too many companies restoring Spitfires in the world. Maybe they should all be merged to ensure they succeed. ???