F-BLOZ moves on

This well known Dakota has been resident at Las Ferte Alais for over 40 years. The 1944 built aircraft saw active service in WWII before joining Air France in the late 1940s. Later the Dakota was with the National Center for Telecommunications Studies from which it became a flying museum exhibit in 1980. However, this only last until 1986 after which the Dakota became a static exhibit at La Ferte Alias where I saw it below in June last year. It has now been sold to a new owner in Bellgium and will soon be dismantled for transportation to its new home.

Operation Fuller

The anniversary of Operation Fuller or The Channel Dash, was three days ago and there was once again a commemorative ceremony and wreaths were laid as I saw yesterday.

Westwood Cross

The shopping centre at Westwood Cross is built on the site of a former hospital that has a military history. As part of the remembrance commemorations last year 4 silhouettes were put in place as a tribute to the military services, including this airman.

Hornet Moth

I last saw Hornet Moth G-AESE at the Woburn Moth Rally nearly 10 years ago. It now has new owners and is with Aero Antiques for a little work after which it will return to the air.

Commonwealth CA13 Boomerang

An Airfix 1/72 offering of the Boomerang which was a WWII fighter that originated in Australia. Apart from some minir cockpit detail this was built out of the box.

Approved!

Pleased to see that the plans of the Avro Heritage Museum for an extension to the museum hangar have been approved. This should help get some of the reserve collection on display in time, such as the Avro Shackleton acquired from Manchester Museum of Science some while ago. Fund raising will now begin.

Off to Morayvia

A long term resident at Cosford is this Lockheed Neptune. Caught in its outside setting a few years ago it is being moved north to Morayvia. All being well I might catch up with it again later in the year.

RAAF 100 squadron cut backs

RAAF 100 squadron was originally formed in 1942 flying Beauforts but was disbanded in 1946. It was reformed in 2021 as a heritage squadron operating around 20 warbirds. However it has just been announced that 8 of these will be withdrawn from flying and placed on static display. The aircraft are Meteor, Dragonfly, Vampire, CT4a, RE8, Canberra, Ryan STM-S2 and Sabre. We were lucky enough to see several of these display at Temora in 2018, although the Canberra was still under restoration at the time, so it is sad to hear that they will fly no more. I assume that finance plays a big part in this decision.

SAR returns to Manston

For many years SAR helicopters were based at Manston but following the closure of the airfield the flight moved and has been based at Lydd airport since 2015. However the fees now being imposed by Lydd have proved prohibitive and Bristow SAR Coastguard helicopters will be returning to the reactivated Manston from tomorrow. I shall keep my eyes peeled.

New Red Leader

The RAF have announced a new officer in overall charge of the Red Arrows aerobatic team. Sasha Nash, an operational Tornado pilot in the past, is the first female to take on the role. I wish her well.

Another new engine

In addition to acquiring a new engine for the Seafire, as noted below, Navy Wings have also had to purchase a new engine for their Harvard after corrosion to the crankshaft was found. The aircraft is used for training purposes so it is important to keep it airworthy. Seen here at Shuttleworth in 2023.

Returning this year

Navy Wings Seafire SX336 hasn't been about for a couple of years as the engine was due for overhaul by the end of 2023 and funding has subsequently been an issue. However a refurbished Griffon engine has now been acquired which will be fitted in time for this year's display season. The old engine will be retained as a spare and refurbished in due course. Captured here at North Weald some years ago.

Time marches on

The numbers of surviving WWII aircrew are sadly dwindling all the while and the other day we lost the last glider pilot who didn't live so far from me. Blue Skies to him and all of his brave comrades.

Repaint complete

Seen here in its previous scheme Jaguar T2A at Newark Air Museum has undergone a full repaint which was completed towards the end of last year. It now sports a wrap around camouflage scheme as worn whilst in setvice with 54 squadron.

Miles Magister

An old Novo kit of the RAF trainer that first flew in 1937. Several survive including a few that are airworthy. A fairly basic kit and I just added a little to the cockpits.