R&S Desford.

I certainly remember seeing the Desford at OW years ago, complete with the prone-pilot nose.

G45.

I think the later Spit’s were 24v.

How Many?

Just out of interest, does anyone know how many P40’s were lost in North Africa during the whole War…?

Cost..?

It’s going to be very interesting to see what emerges. Has a figure been put on recovery and conservation?

!

100LL isn’t the most lovely of odours…:) Cessnas also smell of ABS and the remnants of someones Vindaloo from 1969. No match for dope, paint, wood, leather and old British insulation…:p

Vega Magic.

The Vega was unencumbered by the extra weight and drag of the Proctor and was faster, with good range and payload. Four-up (As long as they weren’t all Bunters..!), full-tanks and go. Can’t do that even with most modern stuff. Good for about 175mph flat-out too, and it still looks very sexy. The late Proctors were rather lardy. Bigger, heavier, draggier, and still on the Vegas power. The Prentice was pretty horrid. I never understood why Percivals didn’t put the Q30 into the late Proctors, and can only imagine that it had a lot to do with the wish to move to metal airframes.
The Vega was 1,740 lbs empty. 3,250 lbs loaded. Disposable load was around 1,510 lbs, – so 46.4% – No wonder it was used so much for racing and record-setting.

It’s a big place.

It’s possible, but those who ‘do’ – will. Is it helpful to discuss such matters in open forums? Definately not. The Sahara is vast and the conditions severe. If there are facts, and investors, things will happen of their own accord. Both the P40 and the supposed hoard of buried Spit’s in Burma illustrate the benefits of discretion. There’s time enough to count the rivets after they have been extricated.

Thanks.

Thanks for the heads-up. Lets hope the weather is kind. 🙂