Re stuff

Hi Martin
Try your local industrial paint suppliers as a first stop. If you have no luck let me know and I will see if I can sort anything out.

Re PRC compound.

Hi Martin
Good old PRC or Thiokol. It is practicaly indistructable!! We used to scrape it off, then maybe you can shift the last bits with something like genclean, thiners or acetone and scotchbrite pads. No matter what, it will take some shifting!!!!!! Sorry.

Hi Guys

First, re Phantom cockpits, the new owner has literally had to travel half way across Europe, and lay out thousands of pounds in hard cash to make this happen. Most of us wouldn’t even consider starting the process that he has gone through, let alone see it through. Also the RAF / British government do have a particular line they follow about these things, that overseas Air Forces / Governments don’t necessarily follow, that’s why in this case the owner has had to shop overseas, and not interestingly in Germany!!

I read over and over again on this forum, people who want a cockpit section moaning about availability, but they are available if (a) you look hard enough, and make the right contacts, and (b) if you are willing and able to lay out that kind of cash.

Cockpits are a valuable item, and the price is dictated by both demand from enthusiasts and the basic value of scrap. We work at a Museum all year round, come rain, snow or sunshine, in so doing we meet the right people, and could probably buy half a dozen cockpits a year if we only had the cash.
There is no department in Woolworth’s selling these things, so you have to get out there were they are and meet people. Cockpitfest is a good place to start, there is nearly always something for sale there, and if you talk to the guys, they will without doubt point you in the direction of something.

As for them being reclaimed by the USA and being scrapped, it has happened in the past, and again, it’s a risk you run, and I hope in this case it will be ok.
One last thing to consider, shipping an item this large is incredibly expensive, so buying the cockpit is just the start, also it is amazing how many aircraft parts and especially engines are contaminated with or contain radiation, so shipping can be a real nightmare.

All in all, the average cockpit owner is often something of a hero, just for making it happen!

Nashio966
I can put you in contact with the owner if you like, and I am sure you would be most welcome at Bruntingthorpe, I believe he intends setting up a dedicated group soon, so getting involved should be easy.

What about the Phantom cockpits?

I am a little suprised that no one has mentioned the German Phantom cockpit section that also arrived at about the same time! with two more to follow, same owner as the Starfighter, and a very popular man at Brunty at the moment!!! see the pics below taken by Max yesterday.
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn93/xn584/PICT0010.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn93/xn584/PICT0009.jpg

Re Spares.

Hi Nigel
II am sure Brian would be happy to here of any leads you might have for spares, either contact him directly, or I would be happy to pass on any information to him.

Yes, she is with us now.

Hi Guys
Yep, this beast is now at Bruntingthorpe, sitting in our yard at the moment. She will be reasembled in the next few weeks and make her public static debut at the May 25th “Big Thunder” open day. I was with the new owner today, and he will be looking to build a team to work on her, with the eventual aim of her joining our fast taxi fleet. The cockpit is totaly intact and she is in generaly very good condition.
So if you want to see her in the flesh, pop along on May 25th.

They are out there.

I have personaly sold two complete Hunter’s, two Jet Provost’s and a Canberra PR.9 cockpit over the last couple of years, I thought I would never get rid of the Canberra, I advertised it for well over 3 months before she went to a new home.
The problem is that many people wish to own such tresures, but don’t always realise the size and weight of them. It can cost more than the item purchased price to move them, then they will need a good heavy duty stand or trailer, all of which costs. Then, quite often there is a problem storing these items, many local councils object to them being sat in your drive or garden.
I had a hunter T-7 for sale for ages a while back, in the end I sold the cockpit and scrapped the fuselage and wings, with just a few items going to good and needy homes, I just couldnt find a home for her at the time, and she had to go.
There are aircraft and cockpits for sale out there, but you will have to dig around and keep your ear to the ground. Build up a network of contacts using forums such as this and the ICC. Talk to people at museums and airshows, visit events such as cockpitfest at Newark (there is usualy at least one cockpit for sale there most years, (a very fine Hunter in 2007)).
You will find your project if you realy try, but think long and hard before you buy, be aware of the costs of moving and making safe the item, and make sure it will fit in your storage space.