Hi There

Yep $20K would have been a good investment – I probably could have bought the Bearcats for $100USD at the time -getting them home however especially with two broken legs would have been an adventure…………………….?

Like to catch up with you some time

Kindest regards
John parker

Mr Patterson

Now Now – on behalf of the British empire I must protest as to the ongoing attack on the good reputation of British technology. It seems that it is mainly in the US that people are unable to figure out that by doing things in a 3 times more complex way much more fun is to be had. Any fool can build a traditional valve layout and create a masterpeice but it takes a higher class of fool all together to complicate it by inventing the sleeve valve and honing it to perfection thus further complicating build process and delaying production to a point that the whole thing is obsolescent!!!!.

After all thats why the British invented the aristocracy so that this sort of stuff could be elevated to a higher level by higher class fools!!!

As a Scotsman I must protest at the ongoing attacks on the brothers south of the border.

Kindest regards
John Parker

Hi Mike

According to the noble Mr Patterson – this is indeed the only Centaurus powered example on those far off shores- I might add that here in the centre of the universe (Battle Star Australia) there is not a single one of the eight or nine Sea/Fury aircraft WITHOUT a Centaurus – one for us again – Who won the Olympics on a per capita basis hey !!!

Kindest regards
JP

Hi Dave

Here are some of my recollections which may help with the P39 tangle here. These are my recollections and are thus very suspect accroding to my wife.

You are correct that the Darby /Armstrong example was one of these machines and was recovered in the Tallachet expedition. I don’t think it ever went to the US and I am pretty sure it went straight to NZ then to Australia – it was restored to static display condition and then eventually went to the USA and then restored to flyand now to Duxford.

Another P39 was aquired by Bob Jarrett of Fighter Jets Museum in SA and I think he brought it back himself and restored it to static. I believe that this is the one that Kermit Weeks purchased and went to Florida and may now be at Wangaratta with Murray Griffiths for restoration to fly on behalf of Kermit?

There is the one at Sid Beck’s collection in Queensland that was recovered form a crash landing site in Queensland and now has been restored as a static exhibit.

An ATC from Mt Isa also recovered one from Queensland and static restored it and this has now passed to Murray Griffiths and is to be restored to Fly at Wangaratta.

Murray also has the parts of 3-4 others from the Kuril Islands etc to form the basis of flying rebuilds for various parties here and overseas ( see recent Classic Wings and Flightpath Mags for more details)

It is my belief that there are 5-6 more P39’s in the US from the location that are awaiting restoration but it has to be pointed out that these aircraft were pretty heavily stripped and are thus a big job to rebuild and especially as the P39 is still not a glamor rebuild the business case for a flying rebuild is less profitable than say a P51.

My 2 Shillings worth your honor

Regards
John

Hi Peter

As you know I am fond of the Avenger – it is a great looking aircraft and kept really well.

I know color schemes are a personal thing but when and if you eventually decide to repaint her again have you thought of putting her back in RN colors – perhaps like those she wore in the UK many years ago – looked quite stunning. I love the way she looks now but I was just thinking of her at Duxford all those years ago when I first saw her.

I notice another Avenger is coming to Brisbane – are you involved in that ?

How is your Spitfire project coming on ?

Kindest regards
John P

Hi Oscar

I flew those “over there” very nice they are too – take a little getting used to but nice none the less and a bit safer in action than the 180.

Regards
John

PS recognise this?

Hi

Yes the display side all has to do with planning and professionalism and not just arranging a few old aircraft in an old shed- flat tyres and all – as you very well put it like dumped cars. It doesn’t always have to cost a fortune especially if you are starting off with good surroundings and suitable buildings – it’s about creating a sense of time and occasion – drama in the pure sense – when it works it’s magic.

I don’t know where things are up to in NZ with future fuselages now that the first one is in Canada – I hope all is progressing well – the next one was supposed to be for an airworthy project – perhaps Dave or Turbo or Dave 2 can give us an update.

Love to catch up with you

I will be down your way in a while

Kindest rwegards
John P