Duxford Diary 2012

[Pen Pusher]

A very quiet and occasionally wet Duxford today. Many thanks to everyone who let me have access on the other side of the ropes for a few different angles.





















Brian

[CIRCUS 6]

and the silver P40 could be added by then too ?

Is that pukka gen? I'd have thought it'd be going to Austria, given the polished finish....

[K5054NZ]

Page 6 of Classic Wings issue 85 clearly states it is a TFC aircraft. Hopefully GMO and Dave allow me to quote: "Following test flights the P-40 will join TFC's other Tomahawk-P-40B(sic), 41-13297 at its Duxford base."

[DCW]

Duxford Tuesday July 17th:

Not much to report today.

The TFC Wildcat prop is removed and dismantled:



The Hellcat also showing work in depth:



The Hind in Hangar 5 has the rear fuselage removed, work continues to strip parts. The internal systems look complete and in excellent condition:







The F-86 has tail (EDIT: But not engine) refitted:



The DAS BAC 111 is being prepared for a repaint:



Finally, a wing from the Firefly is returned to Hangar 3:

[wamb17]

Where Have the wings Been ?

[8674planes]

If your saying the FireFly wing. It was taken from Hangar 3 last year into the ARCo hangar. My guess it has been paint stripped and restored.

[wamb17]

Yeah Firefly....Ah i see. For Flight or Static?

[Howard500]

Those big cats are just amazing.
how long would you think to get to Them back to running status?

[8674planes]

Judging by the other TFC aircraft that have flown since the paperwork issues I would say a couple of months.

[Howard500]

Judging by the other TFC aircraft that have flown since the paperwork issues I would say a couple of months.

If so that would be fantastic. The Gladiator aswell that might be running very soon as it's had a lots of done on it already.

[Roobarb]

DCW, Looks like you left early and missed the move of the Lysander from Building 66 to the ARC Hangar...

[DCW]

DCW, Looks like you left early and missed the move of the Lysander from Building 66 to the ARC Hangar...

Ah well, at least I got it arriving six years ago..

Lysander IIIA G-CCOM/V9312 Duxford 12-3-06:

[Rob.Brindley]

Does she still look the same, or, has some work been done on her, since her arrival?

The Lysander is a fantastic aircraft and I look forward to seeing what ARCo do with her

[DCW]

The Lysander has had a huge amount of work during its time in the workshops. There's a detailed history of the aircraft and its current status at:

http://www.arc-duxford.co.uk/lysander.htm

[Lobster]

Here she is a couple of weeks ago. I am hoping that they finish her in a nice early scheme.

Lobster

[Rob.Brindley]

A lot of progress indeed. I never realised what a complex structure the Lysander had. I'm sure whatever scheme ARCo choose, she will be stunning. However, a cammo scheme would go down well.

Thanks for the link and images guys.

Rob

[DCW]

Since V9312 saw Squadron service (612Sq ,225Sq, 4Sq) before target-towing duty in Canada, research will probably allow authentic period marks.

[8674planes]

Can't wait to see 2 Lysanders and 2 gladators in the sky at once!

[ozplane]

Why not go the whole way and get the Belgian Lysander over again when the Blenheim is airworthy and then we'd have 7 Mercuries purring away. Now I would pay to hear that.

[DCW]

Duxford Thursday 19th July:

The 'Boultbee' Spitfire Tr.9 G-ILDA/SM520 has been a regular visitor recently, but this afternoon was the first close look as she was positioned into Hangar 2:



Nothing else to report, so I'll just add some different angles on the TFC fleet:

[wamb17]

Love Duxford so much, can't wait till my next visit (5th this year) Guys thank you for regular updates. So glad to see the big cats coming out of hibernation at last


When I die I'm going to Duxford !!!!

[someguy1]

G-BUKY has left Clacton after its month or so stay expect that back at Dux soon unless it comes back!

[DCW]

Duxford Friday 20th July:

A very gray morning saw the Plane Sailing Catalina depart to Sunderland for Airshow duty:









Also departing was the North Weald based Skyraider:





Otherwise activity was confined to various Spitfire migrations:





Two early model Spitfires were noted parked next to the new Control Tower. With open cockpits and non-standard undercarriage, I'm not sure which Mark they are.



Hopefully the man on the bus will add some of his images from today:

[8674planes]

good to see the skyraider finally going home.

[Duxman]

Missed by some who caught the early bus home was the late afternoon arrival of Spitfire Displays T-6G G-TEXN presumably in some way connected with their Spitfire TR9 G-ILDA parked nearby.

[ozplane]

Crikey, I never realised the Catalina had a recoil starter (second picture)!

[Pen Pusher]

That wasn't me on the bus. It's my twin brother. I'm the better looking one.

No photos from me for the moment as my BT land line is down (writing this on a net book) and an automated voice on an 0800 fault line number told me it would take 3 to 5 days to fix. 5 days are up on Sunday.

Brian
(the better looking twin)

[DCW]

One more from today:

[ZRX61]

Oh look, another photographer stand Well.. unless it's scaled for a certain pil... ok, lets not go there...

Two early model Spitfires were noted parked next to the new Control Tower. With open cockpits and non-standard undercarriage, I'm not sure which Mark they are.

[markstringer]

Oh look, another photographer stand Well.. unless it's scaled for a certain pil... ok, lets not go there...

I'm not sure about the shade of green.

And don't get me started on them roundels....