RE: IWM 190 refurbishment

The work was carried out by ARCO in what is now the TFC hanger, at the time TFC hadn’t taken over the hanger fully hence there were still some IWM aircraft living in there.

RE: So, what will be the must see shows next year?

For me the shows to visit in 2003 will have to be:

at least one Shuttleworth Evening Show, missed them all in 2002.

Lowestoft, not because of the spectacular demise of the odd Harrier, but there was some real variety at the 2002 show particularly on the classic jet front.

Little Gransden Children in Need Show as I’ve never been

Fly Past Fly In

Rougham, at least one of their events (who knows I may even have my car completed in time so as to show it at wings and wheels, although don’t hold your breath)

Any Fly In type event, or smallish show which may happen in East Anglia, as you can often get some interesting aircraft turn up there, plus there are some cracking aircraft based in the region now.

I’d like to be able to get to Kemble in 2003, rather a long treck but from what I hear well worth it.

Mildenhall, providing the crazy man in charge of America doesn’t manage to kick off too many wars between now and May.

I shall wait with interest the line up for Coventry, Duxford and Biggin Hill before making any plans.

I’m also planning a holiday to Florida, which by chance just happens to coincide with Sun and Fun.

Plus any display with a Yak 11

From the looks of the above I could be quite busy next year.

RE: Take a look at this!!

In 1997 there was a Russian rebuilt airframe in the OFMC hanger, this later went to Fighter Rebuilders for vcompletion for an American owner. The one which is at Duxford now is an airframe recovered from the jungle and bought by IWM in 98 or 99 from memory, for static restoration. So in the space of 5 years Duxford has seen 2 Zero’s.

The aircraft in question here was started by the Blayd Corporation in Canada and there were a couple of good articles on the construction in Warbirds Worldwide.

RE: Duxford get-together Sun 5th Jan

Could be like a game of Skittles if the rest of us can throw things to see if we can topple your ladder, anyway whilst your up there perhaps the IWM would like the ceiling painted.

RE: F82 Twin Mustang

The F82 that was supposed to arrive at North Weald never made it out of America before it was sold initially to Wally Fisk’s Amjet Collection, then on to another collector in America. The aircraft is 46-256 and came from Walter Soplata’s unique collection. It was briefly on the UK register as G-BXEI, registered to Wizzard Investments between April 97 and May 98, and is now registered N142AM to James Harker of Wisconsin USA.
As for F82’s outside America I’m afraid there aren’t any, in fact there are only 5 survivors plus the remains of another recovered from Alaska. Of these 5 only 2 are on display one at Lackland AFB Texas and the other with the USAF Museum at Wright Patterson.
For completion of the other 2 survivors one incomplete airframe is still with Walter Soplata, and the other, the former CAF machine has gone to ground in America with a new rather secretive owner. We willl wait to see where this one surfaces again.

RE: Flypast get together?

I can fit in pretty much any day, although if I had to choose the 18th or 19th would be better for me personaly. As for getting there at 10am won’t be a problem to me

RE: LF363 and cannons

I’m afraid it is true, however recovery is well underway. I’m sure he’ll be back in the air and the workshop before we know it.

RE: LF363 and cannons

Did LF363 ever have cannons???? If not leave her as she is, why have two with the same armament. If she was origionaly fitted with guns all you would see are the red patches anyway