Duxford October Bimbles ~ *UPDATE 3~31Oct15*

[Pen Pusher]

Another quiet sunny day at Duxford and following its initial engine runs yesterday, Bronco/G-BZGL was towed to the end of Runway 06 for about an hours worth of engine runs before returning back to ARCo. Having been emptied of American Air Museum aircraft, the T-33 was returned to Airspace for temporary storage and was joined by the FSM Spitfire from hangar 4 for a corporate event that was due to take place. TFC had a bit of a hangar shuffle and the final glazing supports were finally fitted in place at the AAM this morning.













Brian

[paddyboy]

Hi Brian

Lovely to see the Bronco looking so good

Thanks

Paddyboy

[chek16]

I'm not even really a big fan of biplanes, but something about the way you've caught the light on the ribs'n'rigging of the Jungmann makes it a bit special.
And well up to your usual high standards Brian. Always look forward to your updates.

[Pen Pusher]

A bit of a shuffle around in 5 hangar with the T-33 and F-100D receiving a bit of attention and the He162A all on its own in the spray bay. In hangar 2/North, the east end had been cleared for the motorbikes auction on Tuesday as part of the H&H car auctions that were taking place in AirSpace and the west end of 2 hangar was a bit packed with war birds. Outside, B-17/Sally-B had its wingtips clipped ready to go into hangar 2 for winter maintenance and the Catalina was towed out onto the airfield for a final engine run of the year before it goes inside for the winter. Outside AirSpace, as the inside was being cleared of the auction paraphernalia, Lot 64 a 1931 Cadillac 370-A V12 Coupe caught my eye more for the bullet riddled front windscreen than any thing else.













Brian

[Sparts99]

Great shots and informative as ever, thanks for posting. What's the score with the Mk1 Firefly, has any restoration been carried out at all ?

[Pen Pusher]

The Firefly is a long term restoration on an as and when basis but the wings I believe are being seen to at the moment. Apparently the fuselage is structurally sound with very little corrosion as it spent most of its non operational life in a barn.

Brian

[Pen Pusher]

Had several visits to Duxford since my last posting but not a lot is happening at the moment. Today the Catalina joined Sally-B in hangar 2/north for winter maintenance and in hangar 3, the French registered Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 has had its Wright R-3350-26WD engine removed. It developed a problem while displaying at the Flying Legends air show and I was told metal parts were found in the engine oil system. In hangar 5, the deconstruction of the F-100 is continuing prior to its return to the US.













Brian

[HP88]

Shame about the F100.
Has a reason been given for it's departure?

Considering the part played by the F100's in the UK from the late 1950's to about 1970 I'd have though it was an important exhibit.

P.S Nice photos by the way.

[paddyboy]

Hi Brian

Top shots as always

I never realised Sea Furys were fitted with Wright engines

Thought they all had Napier Sabres

Mr.Thicko again

Thanks

Paddyboy

[Pen Pusher]

Surprised to see this morning the Biggin Hill two seat Spitfire/MJ627 sitting on the grass next to the control tower all ready to go but not going any where because of the mist covering the area. It cleared enough early afternoon for flying to start. In hangar 2, winter maintenance continues on the multi-engined war birds with the Catalina down to one engine. In hangar 3, the broken French Sea Fury now has a museum information board, just like the 'permanent' residents. The Quilt Show was in full swing in AirSpace but again couldn't see any aviation related quilts.















Brian