I think you’ll find that one of the main reasons TFC was originally based at Duxford is because of the free hangarage.

Because of this, poor old Sally B has to live outdoors during the Summer (and Autumn, and Spring as well).

Can you imagine the uproar (from Lancman alone) if the BBMF had to keep their Lancaster outside for most of the year?

It’s exactly because TFC is based at Duxford that it is frowned upon for what it does sometimes. Flying A Services at North Weald are, I believe, the Legacy of Doug Arnolds Warbirds of Great Britain collection. His organisation existed purely for trade, and probably exported more warbirds from this country than everybody else put together including an AIRWORTHY Mosquito.
The only good that came of this was the Lanc which is now with the IWM at Duxford, which came from WoGB.

At least we get to see TFCs aeroplanes regularly.

So maybe they’re not that bad.

So I’ll stop complaining now.

And I’ll even shut up about the Mosquito (especially because, as has been stated, it hasn’t been confirmed by TFC yet).

But I’d still like to know if the Ki43 still exists,
and what the rumours are about a P61!!

Willow

Sorry, yes, the one that was sold was a ‘C’ not a ‘B’.

Hadn’t heard about the new one.

Maybe I’ll check out the TFC website to find out all about it.

Willow

Actually not JUST the Mossie.

What about,

Spitfire ML417
Hurricane ‘Z7381’
Spitfire SM832
Mustang ‘Candyman’
The original Wildcat
The 2nd Bearcat
The Yak C11 (G-KYAK I think)
and last but by no means least

THE P40B Tomahawk

Oh, and the B25, Skyraider, and P40 were all offered for sale a while ago.

OK, OK so the Bearcat and Wildcat we still have one of each, Candyman didn’t move far (but it got repainted, grrrr), the Hurricane didn’t go far either, and the Spit XIV usually comes back for Legends each year, but ML417 is a long way away, the Yak is no longer Duxford based (North Weald?) and as for the Tomahawk……….

It just doesn’t lead to a stable base for the volunteers. Why spend many hours working on an aeroplane when at the back of your mind is the thought that it could be sold off if the right opportunity arose.

I do appreciate that trading can be a benefit, otherwise we wouldn’t have a P38 on the way, I just hate losing well known warbirds, or losing REALLY sought after rebuilds (like the Mossie and P40B).

Willow