Apart from the fact this type of story keeps appearing, I wonder if the parts had been found would it be prudent for the BBMF start using the spares? Having read about Peter Vachers Hurricane they never used parts of the original engine because they weren’t sure of its subsequent history.

I’d like some more info on what part he played at Kerr Stuarts Locomotive works before going to Supermarine because out of all the locomotive manufacturers they had some really neat designs that stood the test of time.

A LOT of original FW material came out of Germany about 10-12 years ago; much of it having been rescued from underground factories; some more stuff came out of Russia too, including a few surface wrecks.

Now rescuing parts from underground factories [ That’s a much more interesting subject than the provenance of some aircraft for sale] Its a pity subjects like this are not discussed here. I for one would like to know more about this.

Graham.

Hawker Typhhon part panel

I think I would wet myself if I had dug this up. But has that badge been re-touched?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WW2-RAF-HAWKER-TYPHOON-PANEL-197-SQUADRON-1944-SUSSEX-CRASH-RELIC-/230979950511

Hi Adrian, I was a very minor part of the recovery operation and the Wellington was complete and in one piece before the lift. It fell apart after the frame collapsed. The frame you see in the photo on this thread was made up very quickly locally and allowed the recovery to continue.

A lot of us did question the original frame but it had been designed by a senior stressman (recently retired at the time, I don’t remember) and our criticisms/questions were brushed aside.

Hope the Do17 recovery goes well!

I remember the recovery of the Wellington clearly and the plan was to half raise the aircraft off the bed and ‘float it’ half submerged down the loch to another part of the Loch for some reason, but they [without realizing] dragged it along the bottom of the Loch, hence all the damage.
I haven’t noticed any mention of how they will get all the sand out of the aircraft prior to lifting which will no doubt create a lot of weight and strain on the airframe. Or is this going to be a schoolboy error missed through not getting advice?

The new ‘look’ forum page

I don’t know about anyone else but every time I look at this forum now I have to scan very carefully to read the titles of the threads, I think its due to the sort of faded look of the texts and graphics and the sub title texts being not a lot smaller than the main title.
It all now looks a bit wishy washy, I know I’m not wrong as when I look at my other forums the difference really glares.

I have little doubt that RAFM have a well thought out plan for the lift and subsequent conservation measures and that they are well aware they have some epic challenges on their hands. I rather doubt that they need advice on how any of it should be done!

I for one wish them well.

I hope they do get advice because from what I can see a successful operation to recover an aircraft and conserve it like this has only been achieved outside the UK for some reason. The Wellington/Halifax weren’t exactly text book.

I know its easy to get outraged here, And Im trying not to, but if as a society we are quite prepared to let somebody off from crashing a National Bank and he gets away with his full pension with not a finger lifted in defence of this countries deteriorating finances [ of which we are reminded of every day]. Then we are all quilty of complacency.