Duxford Diary 2012

[Archer]

How will the squeeze the B-52 out that teeny door in the AAM - will be like squeezing toothpaste.....

The entire glass front is designed to be removable. It is not like opening a door but can be done if needed.

[Dobbins]

The entire glass front is designed to be removable. It is not like opening a door but can be done if needed.

...albeit not very easily and at considerable cost

[vultee35]

Someone should have told the architect that B&Q sell some quite sturdy door hinges!

[SADSACK]

I cannot understand why removing glass panels, lowering them to to the ground and putting them back in again, costs so much. When they designed the thing in the first place, you would have thought they considered it?

If they have a vendetta against the Avenger, I wonder what fate awaits the PBJ?

[Mike J]

If they have a vendetta against the Avenger, I wonder what fate awaits the PBJ?

Wasn't it up for disposal too? Oh, and it is a B-25, not a PBJ. The only genuine PBJ survivor I believe is the one being rebuilt to fly by the CAF SoCal Wing at Camarillo.

[curlyboy]

I cannot understand why removing glass panels, lowering them to to the ground and putting them back in again, costs so much. When they designed the thing in the first place, you would have thought they considered it?

If they have a vendetta against the Avenger, I wonder what fate awaits the PBJ?

To my understanding the glass panels were custom made and fit together like a puzzle and they are fairly weighty, i was told that originally the glass was designed to be removed for moving exhibits but costs about £30.000 to do correctly and that was when it was opened so with everything going up lord knows what it is now.

I think they should keep the Avenger (currently in George HW Bush's colours) but the PBJ could go into a more representative UK scheme as how many people know the differance between a PBJ or B25?

curlyboy

[Dobbins]

I think the Avenger would be much better on the floor, maybe in a diorama with the wings folded and a torpedo being loaded. And a Bush mannequin in the cockpit... The B25 shouldn't be painted the same colour as the Avenger, it just looks silly.

[Bob]

The entire glass front is designed to be removable. It is not like opening a door but can be done if needed.

I'm aware the glass can be removed - last time I heard a figure mooted it was very expensive...

[SADSACK]

I think the Avenger would be much better on the floor, maybe in a diorama with the wings folded and a torpedo being loaded. And a Bush mannequin in the cockpit...

I do like that idea. On a small section of deck it would look great.

whats the IWM vendetta against the Naval a/c? Is the AA

[Dobbins]

I'm not sure why the Avenger is in landing configuration, it looks out of place. They could have a diorama with the Phantom as well, being armed or something. I think visitors need engaging!

[DCW]

Duxford Friday April 27th:

Spitfire BM597 took advantage of a short weather window to perform a quick test flight. The Action Stations 'Fly with a Spitfire' season starts next weekend:



The finish on newly rebuilt Chipmunk WK586/G-BXGX has to be seen to be believed:



With TFC, the transfer of Sea Fury T.20 G-CHFP/WG655 to the UK register moves a small step closer:



The TFC Corsair is on jacks, allowing an unusual close-up:



Another film crew, another TV advert. In the words of Roger Bacon, WTHIH ?

[aeronut 2008]

Re that last photo. I do hope the two gentlemen on the far right holding on to the two ropes are controlling some wires we cannot see that are suspending the 'pilot'. Otherwise all I can say is "That's got to have hurt."

[Wyvernfan]

Duxford Friday April 27th:

Another film crew, another TV advert. In the words of Roger Bacon, WTHIH ?

Couldnt tell you whats happening, but there was an almighty 'thunder crack' (explosion) and fireball rising up this morning, from in front of the Superhangar. Made me jump out of my chair, not to mention quicken the heart rate as i thought an aeroplane had gone in! .

[Bob]

It's PenPusher testing the latest MTEAS (museum transport emergency avoidance system) to be issued to all regular photographers...

[DCW]

Maybe these shots will help clarify matters:

[Wyvernfan]

Judging by those pics and the sound i heard, i'm now thinking it was a simulated ejection seat firing.!

[Dan Johnson]

Duxford Friday April 27th:

Spitfire BM597 took advantage of a short weather window to perform a quick test flight. The Action Stations 'Fly with a Spitfire' season starts next weekend:

While I must admit that some of the recent Spitfire I restorations are giving it a run for it's money, I'm not sure there is a nicer looking Spitfire out there then BM597. It just seems to have all the pieces in the right places

[Ian Hunt]

Agreed.

Size. Shape. Colour scheme. Markings.

Perfection. Beautiful.

: )

Ian

[pimpernel]

Not much happening when I passed through yesterday. Sally B parked on the ramp.

I noticed an Apache on the ramp too and made me think of landing fees, who pays - the pilots or the Army, does anyone know please?

[Evalu8ter]

Pimpernel,
I've never been asked to pay a landing fee at Dux when arriving in a military aircraft. I always "check in" with the tower, but I think the IWM takes the view that something military on the ramp is good for the punters and doesn't want to discourage us from visiting. We wouldn't come if we were made to pay. I think I might of taken fuel once, and then it's paid for through normal military accounts via a standard form.

Hope that helps!!

BTW - this is a wonderful thread....

[wamb17]

Looking forward to flight with a Spitfire. I see 597 every weekend over Dover

[pimpernel]

Thanks Evalu8ter, that's cleared that up.

[Roobarb]

Agreed.

Size. Shape. Colour scheme. Markings.

Perfection. Beautiful.

: )

Ian

Very nice aircraft. Shame it's in the wrong colours though..

[curlyboy]

There is a nice piece in the new flypast about the future of Duxford have not read it all the way through but it does drop some hints to things already alluded to.

curlyboy

[Arm Waver]

As far as I can remember I believe the MoD often have a prearranged agreement and a visit is recorded when the crew check in and any fees will be forwarded to the appropriate contracts branch.

[VX927]

Very nice aircraft. Shame it's in the wrong colours though..

What colours should she be in?

[Eddie]

Ocean grey, medium sea grey and dark green.

[DCW]

Duxford Sunday April 29th:

Dreadful weather again today, so not much to report.

In Hangar 5, work is continuing on the Vampire's Goblin. The design started in 1941 and was only the second British jet engine to fly. As the Halford H-1, it first ran on April 13th 1942, that makes the design just over 70 years old:



The inner wings and trailing edges of B-17G F-BDRS/44-83735 are together in the AAM. It will be a few weeks before they are reassembled, so the fuselage will stay in Hangar 5 a while longer:







Progress on the B-17 ailerons:

[Peter]

What are the white patches visible on the upper wing trailing area on the B29??

[DCW]

What are the white patches visible on the upper wing trailing area on the B29??

Just pads to mop up the oil from the B-25....