Spitfire sold

Spitfire MkIX SL633, which had a minor landing accident back in the summer, has been sold and will start a new life in Australia. I believe that the only time I have seen this aircraft was at Flying Legends back in 2015 when I took this shot.

Duxford departure

The fourth Eurofighter Typhoon prototype, which has been on display at Duxford since 2009 has now moved on. It's disposal had been rumoured with small panels having been removed some while ago. The airframe was dismantled last month and moved to RAF Cosford where it will be used for ground instructional purposes.

Newark Canberra to be scrapped

Canberra PR7 WH971, which has been on display at Newark Air Museum since 1998, is likely to be scrapped next year. The airframe is on loan to the museum and the owners are responsible for its upkeep. The loan actually came to an end last year and the Canberra needs significant repairs which are beyond the capability of the museum to deal with and, as no alternatives have been proposed, scrapping after stripping for parts, seems the inevitable outcome.

Here is the aircraft in 2016 when I last saw it - marked as WH972.

Flying Legends cancelled (again)

After a 3 year hiatus Flying Legends returned in the summer this year although because its new Churh Fenton location was so much further away I was unable to attend. It seems like the new venue was a one off as the 2024 event has already been called off😕

Off to the USA

Apparently Contrary Mary or Miss Velma as she was for many years has now been sold and will have a new home in America. Seems a shame but there should be a couple of new Mustangs on the show circuit next year.

Junkers JU88 C-2

I posted some pictures of a completed 88 a few weeks ago. That was an A-1 bomber version of the Luftwaffe twin, this is cannon equiped fighter. It started life as the old Airfix A-4 many years ago and I bought an after market C-2 conversion kit which sat on the shelf for a long time. I have at last completed the task which involved quite a bit of surgery and tweaking, especially joining the new engine nacelles to tge wings, but here it is finished.