It is a shame this D.16 Meteor hasn’t been earmarked for the collection at Cosford with all of the other oddball meteors and specialist aircraft. With the current vogue for painting airframes up in their target tug colours, I would thought this airframe would be particularly relevant, especially as it is now the sole survivor of the type in the northern hemisphere in complete condition.

A great many F.8 meteors ended their working lives being converted to being D.16’s, so it is a real missed oportunity not to keep this as it is, in a national collection and indoors too.

(yes the cold war jets museum at Bentwarters have theirs, but it has been fully converted back to F.8 status, and was not as complete as this to start with).

what would you like to see ?

A full aerobatic display of Death Stars…. each with it’s own Emperor! 😀 😀 😀

(although I’m not sure how you would tell if a sphere was making a hesitation roll or not!)

I will be at DX, beer in hand, and having a good laugh with my mates as usual. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth…. we are indeed very fortunate to have such a gem on our doorsteps.

Hi All,

Thought it was time for a progress update on the Anson Mk.II panel/throttle box.

Throttle box has been stripped and restored. Needs front cover fabricated.
Stbd panel has been stripped and restored. Needs fuel cocks and placards.
BFP is a new fabrication due to the different size of Canadian instruments to British versions. Will complete cut out for turn and slip when one is sourced.
Main panel is untouched as yet. Damage to port side to be cut out and new section fabricated. Missing rpm gauges to be sourced as well as second boost and engine triple gauge. Compass is in store. Cockpit clock will complete along with bomb release pushbutton and warning lamp.

Refurb work is planned to be complete at end of May with only remaining instruments to be fitted June/July.

Regards
Ross

Great work Ross!

I hope you can bring it along to Newark in June. There will be a couple of aircraft interiors and rigs there. The diversity in design or instrument fit is always interesting to see together.

Please give Ian an e-mail. I have found him very helpful.

[email]ian@copyzone.co.uk[/email]

Hello Ken

I can confirm that the military DH cockpit interiors were green with black and/or green fittings.

Someone from the Shuttleworth restoration team would be the best person to comment on the DH88.

Hello

The correct surname is written: de Havilland (lowercase “d” space, uppercase “H”).

The correct company abbreviation is simply DH, as used in its logos.

32 Squadron Vampire

Hello Tbirdman

I found this old thread showing a photo of you? in a 32 squadron Vampire FB.9 cockpit in the 50’s.

Did you ever find out what colours the dart was going through the squadron crest, or which vampire it was? Last year I acquired the instrument panels from Vampire FB.9 WR207 that served with 32 Squadron in the middle east over this period, and I am intersted in finding photos of it or its fellow squadron aircraft.

Thanks John