Merry Christmas...

Just Jane to fly?

With the BBMF Lancaster now in it's winter quarters, news from Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre that NX611 is heading towards an airworthy future -

The winter of 2016/17 will see some major works carried out on Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane' to make huge steps forwards in the project to restore her to airworthy condition.

"This is the biggest news for NX611's restoration in the last 20 years"- Andrew Panton

Following the application for our A8-23 approval with the CAA we are now able to attend to some of NX611's future needs and address the long list of work we need to do to make her airworthy once more.

"The goal of "Just Jane" becoming only the third airworthy Lancaster in the world feels closer than ever before" - Andrew Panton

This winter will see a complete strip and re-paint of the aircraft which will facilitate an assessment of the aircraft's aluminium skin and permit any problems encountered to be resolved.

Could the possibility of having three Lancasters in formation become a reality at some point in the future?
Let's hope so...

 

Hangar panos

The BBMF Lancaster has some stickers applied to the fuselage since last week - Spitfire T9 PV202 was keeping PA474 company today. Again, reflection in the glass makes getting a clear shot a bit of a chore!
B-17 "Sally B" was manoeuvred into the north side of H2 for her hibernation and "Miss Pick Up" is also in there.

Another of PA474

Another shot of PA474 - taken with a wide angle lens (other photo was taken on iPhone) - bit of reflection from the light entering the Observation Room which could do with some blackout blinds on the glass doors!

Elsewhere...

Autumnal colours adorn the front of the Officers Mess at Duxford.

And my eye was drawn to this piece of classic Automobilia Americana…
1953 Chrysler New Yorker Town & Country Wagon

PA474 from viewing room

Took the opportunity post 'nosebag' to wander over to the "Stephenson Hangar" to check out the new resident. 

Just before heading over I caught the tail end of a spirited display by Richard Grace in the Mk XIV Spitfire MV268. Its last as a Duxford resident?...

HAC Sopwith Pup

While pup-sitting at the Meet The Fighters air show at Duxford had a chat with one of the HAC personnel. He made a passing comment about how it would look even better with Lord Flashheart stood next to it.
I mentioned that there were WWI aviator re-enactors 'deployed' near to the hangar base next to "The Workshop/Wing Co Joe's" and if he asked them they'd probably jump at the chance to pose next to the Pup.
Off he strolled and sometime later returned with some members of The Dawn Patrol. The 'aviator' 2nd from the right was a pretty good substitute for "Flash"!!!

Photo - Jon Higgins HAC

ML407 landing mishap...

Confirmation of The Grace Spitfire ML407 suffering a landing 'mishap' have been confirmed by Carolyn Grace with the social media post -

Here's hoping for a swift return to the air...

A slightly sunnier Duxford...

Sunday morning broke with blue skies and the prospect of ideal air show weather after a washed out Saturday.

After a coffee to kickstart my day, a quick stroll around before going out to the flight line…

Spent the morning watching over the HAC's Sopwith Pup N6161

The upside of the previous day being washed out was that the Great War Display Team had twice the amount of pyrotechnics to get rid of during their display! There were some pretty loud bangs as a result - wonder if residents of surrounding properties were writing letters of complaint as they went off?…

Highlight of the day for myself was the 14 Spitfire flypast and subsequent tail chase - wonderful sight and sound!

Duxford

Today and some H2 shuffling...

MJ627 by Matt Holness AGAvA (2/50)

Picked up this numbered (#2 of 50) 'profile' print of MJ627 by Matt Holness at Legends and today I collected it from the framers…

Spitfire P9374 in the air today.

Spitfire MkI P9374 puts on short display at Duxford from warbirdskies on Vimeo.

BAS Dash 7

Farewell Miss Velma...

News on the 'net that TF-51D 44-84847 (N251RJ) "Miss Velma" is moving from Duxford, her home for the last nine years, to North Weald. I expect she'll grace the skies over DX again but she's been a part of DX for almost as long as I have volunteered there…

I can recall standing in my back garden as it was on the final stages of it's long transatlantic flight on the 4th July 2007 - sadly it's companion for the trip, P-38 "Glacier Girl", didn't make it out of the US.

Still 'wearing' her ferry tanks with the Operation Bolero II markings and looking a little travel worn...

…and Ed Shipley who flew the whole trip single handed

Legends Sunday

Kept the Seafire company for three and a half hours today…

Legends Saturday

Some of the flight line walk contents…

New participant for Legends?

4.VII.16 - New crowd line and new arrival...

Had to drop in today so took a saunter around. With the 'closure' of the Tank Bank for the upcoming "Flying Legends Air Show" the new 'crowd line' is in place and provides an additional ~80' (in depth) for spectators at "Airliner Row" and ~140' depth along the "Jet Pan". 

There may well be a rush to secure chairs to the newly relocated fencing as it brings the taxiway closer for almost the whole length of the viewing areas. 

Not a lot flying today apart from some GA stuff - will be back on Wednesday for work, so may take another recce south side then. 

Am working Sunday somewhere on site so, for those that know me, say hi!!!

Increased viewing area at "Airliner Row"

Increased viewing area at "Jet Pan"

Lockheed Electra NC14999

MK805 Simply Spitfire reproduction damaged in road incident.

Sad news that Terry Arlow's wonderful reproduction of Spitfire MkIX MK805 has been involved in an accident while en route to the Isle Of Wight.
The trailer carrying MK805 apparently sheared off the towing vehicle and crashed into an embankment.

Pics and story here -
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/a3-spitfire-crash-live-updates-11552982

This day last year...

Hard to believe a whole year has gone by since my memorable flight in MJ627.

I still have to remind myself, as I try to spot a Spitfire passing overhead, that I've 'done that'…

Overhead...

Spotted over the village - RAF marked Mustang. Wonder which that is?...

25.V.16 Today's Saunter...

18.V.16