Cheers guys

many thanks… 35yrs old! I celebrated with 1 hr of flying a CFM Shadow ultralight on saturday over Suffolk…..should know better by now. 😉

The Aircraft in question was a de Havilland Hornet – so I suppose the answer to some of the above is actually YES! 😮 As usual full details of our research, the dig and finds will appear on our website in due course – I know I have quite a bit of catching up to do on the website, but this is purely a hobby, I receive no funding and DO NOT SELL FINDS, I have a full time job and have just moved into a 200+ year old house to restore (not to mention running a very temperamental 30 year old Land Rover a couple of classic cars, a Motorhome and two modernish everyday cars that I also maintain). So a big thanks to Alan for taking on the cleaning and sorting for this dig

Wherever possible we do communicate with those we know have a specific interest in any aircraft we are investigating, and in this case Dave Collins has been kept up to date at all stages of this project and will be visiting to view the finds and will of course be welcome to any fittings from the scrap pile – however Dave be warned – this aircraft hit the ground VERY, VERY HARD! 🙁

Hello Nick

In the case of both of your Hornet digs to-date, you have given me a very welcome opertunity to see some original parts, albeit smashed. For me, if an aircraft is dug, then I am more than happy to assist in part identification for you, and possible measuring or photographing of details that may be useful in recreating new parts for the project. If you don’t mind me posting a photo here you gave to me of the engine limitations plate you found, this has helped us involved with the project to create a new label for the throttle box. I think this is a good example of how digs can help projects.

Regarding what happens to dug up parts afterwards? I would happily help in providing you with information to help present these properly in your museum in the future – photos, specific aircraft history, identification of the part in context, etc.

You also note that you had a section of canopy rail. Even though I have the part drawing for this, seeing the actual part even with damage, will assist in a reproduction no end.

I hope this serves as a good example of how even small finds from a dig can help a project.

Cheers for now,

I’d be interested in meeting up at Hendon, depending on date. 🙂

Let me know,

It helps a lot, thankyou kindly:)
I think looking closely the arabic is 315 (215 was not a Fury), and according to the warbirdregistry.org that 315 is currently registered G-CBEL in the UK with John Bradshaw of Wroughton in mixed Dutch/ RAN colors – what an amazing coincidence that my father took a photo of what is today the UK´s only airworthy ex-Iraqi Fury

You are right…. must clean my glasses! 😀

Hi there SMS88

I have googled for the Iraqi number translations and the Fury ISS codes show the number 215.

hope this helps?

Thankyou both for the welcome:)
The S51 photo does appear to have been taken from the water,another clue from the back of the print is Ruscombe,Twyford
But nobody can id the Iraqui Fury for me????

… why stop there, bring a Hurricane, Typhoon, Tempest and Sea Fury display, and we could make it Hawker-fest 2008 :rolleyes: 🙂

The Hunters will certainly make an impressive line-up. I just wish I had one to join in with the fun.

Hello Ian

Sawbridgeworth was an SOE (Special Operations Executive) airfield I believe. Westland Lysanders flew from there.

Go to Google earth and have a look. The perimiter track is still all there.

Hendon thoughts

The Hurricane wreckage at Hendon instigated my interest in aircraft restoration…. I still cannot pass it by without paying due attention to it for several minutes. Similarly for the Halifax too.

Regarding the low lighting in Hendon. There are plenty of other museums that are darker. Notwithstanding the increased electricity usage that would come with making it brighter, there is probably a reason for reducing the amount of sun-loading on the aircraft perishable parts like fabrics, leathers, plastics, etc.

Also, I agree with Moggy C about personally liking the moody lighting. Standing in the BoB hall, or in front of the Lancaster for example, adds to the feeling of rememberance for those who served on them.

Generally there are a full range of aviation museums in the UK with something for everyone. Some are pristine examples of national collections, others where the average joe can become involved, and some that could do with better investment. We should be glad that there are so many we can visit. Its not the case in every country.