Fortress in Pegwell Bay

On 1st December 1943 a B17G desparately low on fuel and with three engines out failed in a galiant attempt to put down at RAF Manston after retuning from a bombing raid and ended up in the waters of Pegwell Bay close to Sandwich. Despite the loss of the aircraft all 10 crew escaped to fight another day and, at very low tides, scany remains of the B-17 can still be seen. Earlier this week a memorial board was erected to serve as a tribute to airmen of WWII.

No Sywell 2

The team behind the well received 2024 air show at Sywell have announced that there will not be a sequel in 2025. The driving force behind the show was the late Richard Grace and to honour his memory the 2024 show will be a one off.

Hampden project

The Handley Page Hampden project at Cosford that I last saw a couple of years or so ago is apparently almost finished and will soon be moved to Hendon. Sadly 'finished' in the eyes of the RAFM means just the fuselage and whilst the museum has the wings there are no plans to restore them and attach them to the aircraft fuselage. It all seems rather disappointing to me and still means that if you want to see what a complete Hampden looks like you need to go to Langley in Canada. At least I have had that pleasure.

Argosy refurb

Staying with the Midlands Air Museum their Argosy is currently getting a clean and pressure wash in readiness fir a repaint.

MAM Phantom

Much like their Meteor, the Phantom at the Midland Air Museum was looking very tired when I saw it three years ago but I'm pleased to see that it has now had a repaint and is looking much improved.

Duxford 18 11 24

After a psuedo anniversary weekend in Norfolk, which included a festive train ride, we came home today via the M11 which was a good excuse to pop in to Duxford. It's only a couple of months since I was last there and as it is now off season not a lot has changed. No sign of activity on the Beau of course nor the CR42 but many of the regulars are undergoing winter maintenance and the hangars are full of overwintering aircraft. There will be some musical chairs soon as Duxford hosts another winter exhibition in the front of the super hangar, this time devoted to the fall of France. Anyway, I still snapped off a few shots.

Cromer War Memorial

Manston Air Show for 2025?

Rumour has it there is going to be an International air show at Manston in August next year. Sounds grand, especially for me being so close. Let's hope it's not a pie in the sky thing and comes to fruition.

Varsity WJ945

I last saw this Vickers Varsity a few years ago when it was part of the Classic Air Force at Newquay, see here. When that collection closed it became part of the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Museum, still at Newquay. However, that museum closed last year but the aircraft has now found another new home with the South Wales Aviation Museum at St Athan. Hopefully this will be more permanent. It's a museum I still want to get to. Watch this space!

Lest we forget

Off to Coningsby

The Aero Legends Dakota Drag Em Oot is again over wintering with the BBMF to keep crews current on multi engine props whilst their own Dak is away undergoing maintenance.

MAM Meteor

This Meteor at the Midlands Air Museum was starting to look a bit tired when I saw it in 2021 but I am pleased to see that a repaint in to 264 squadron markings is now almost complete and it is looking a lot smarter.

Polikarpov PO-2

A KP kit that I picked up a little while ago. A bit rough around the edges but overall not too bad. Mostly used decals from the spares box as the kit examples were very pink.

 This was a Russian trainer aircraft also used in ground attack and reconnaissance and was in production from the late 1920s until the 1950s.I have seen a couple in the States and there is also one in the Shuttleworth collection.

Canberra Down Under

I attended Warbirds Down in 2018 and, until a couple weeks ago, that was the last WDU show as Covid had kicked it in to touch. Great to hear the show is back.

One of the aircraft that was a work in progress when I was there was this Canberra but in the interim 6 years it has been returned to flight and took part in the show this year.

Seaplane prop

Spotted this in a local museum today. Labelled as from a Short seaplane that flew with the RNAS from St Mildreds Bay, Westgate, I imagine it comes from a type 184.