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.

On the move

This Javelin at Yorkshire Air Museum has deteriorated since I first saw it in 2010 and the museum apparently do not have the resources to restore it so it has been gifted to East Midlands Aeropark as a project and it will then get the attention it needs.

Blue Skies Richard Grace

Very sorry to hear this evening of the death of Richard Grace of Air Leasing, the Grace Spitfire, the man behind Sywell air show this year, the Tempest restoration and countless other achievements. Gone much too young. My sincere condolences to all those affected by his loss.

Shackleton progress

I last saw Avro Shackleton WR963 in April last year, as reported here when it undertook one of its final engine runs. The aircraft has now been dismantled in readiness for the planned move to Elvington which should be completed over the coming weeks. This will hopefully be a good move for the Shack which will be reassmbled to ground running condition once more in a more secure location than previously. Hopefully she will be looking her old self sometime next year.

Coming to Europe

The superb Avro Anson MkI that I saw at Wanaka over Easter has just been sold and I hear it is joining a Czech collection here

More from Duxford

A little belatedly here is some more of the action from the Duxford Battle of Britain show last month.

Fairey Barracuda

An old Frog kit that I picked up cheap. More or less from the box although I changed the exhaust stacks from the spares box as the originals looked too small. Also added some interior detail and I already had a Falcon canopy so used that. Original decals were shot so dived in to the spares box again.

A sad day

This large scale Lancaster model that I finished a little over 3 years ago survived to completion despite the attentions of our beloved rescue cat Frosty part way through the build. Later he stepped in to frame as I was trying to do a 'bombers moon' type shot in the garden but on that occasion he only gave it a quick look over and the aircraft survives in a display cabinet. Sadly Frosty does not survive any longer as we had to say goodbye today after an all too quick 5 years albeit he was over 14. Sweet dreams Frosty.

WWI contingent

Last weekend's Duxford show included a WWI section including my first sight of the DH9 in the air. Last time I saw it on the flightline was in 2019 and it went tech on the day.