Any Bolton Paul Balliols in civilian hands?

[bdk]

Looks like an interesting type! How well did it perform?

[treadigraph]

A quick Google - there are four in the UK, one complete Sea Balliol at RAF Cosford, plus three restorations elsewhere - one is a cockpit section, not sure how complete the others are. There are also two listed in Sri Lankan museums. No fliers though.

[Mike]

There is only the one complete one in the UK (the Sea Balliol at Cosford) plus the 2 Sri Lankan ones (one of which Shuttleworh made an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a year ago)

[Mark V]

A quick Google - there are four in the UK, one complete Sea Balliol at RAF Cosford, plus three restorations elsewhere - one is a cockpit section, not sure how complete the others are. There are also two listed in Sri Lankan museums. No fliers though.

Wow - you must know something nobody else does (or Google does). Like Mike, my understanding is that there are three in the world and that (apart form maybe a few little remnants) is that.

Intersting type too, I would love to see one fly again.

[treadigraph]

Well actually I was aware of only two until I googled.

Of the three "restorations", as I said above "one is a cockpit section, not sure how complete the others are"... I meant complete in terms of parts, not how far along they are to being restored... try a google yourself.

And as we all know it's surprising how a small collection of scrap parts can sometimes magically become an entire aeroplane, given money, time, know how and enthusiasm. I doubt it would ever happen in nthis case as they aren't labelled "Spitfire".

The second Sri Lankan machine was a surprise to me.

[Mike]

There aren't 3 'restorations', there are 3 choppeed off cockpit sections surviving in the UK. One is in storage with the NEAM at Sunderland, the other 2 are with the Boulton Paul Association. One of those is being mocked-up to look like a whole airframe with wooden fuselage and wings being built. Therefore there remains just the Cosford example as a complete airframe in the UK.

[Mark V]

There aren't 3 'restorations', there are 3 chopped off cockpit sections surviving in the UK.

Exactly. I recall the second Sri Lanka machine is at the Air Force recruiting centre (or something like that) the first one being on public dispay in the museum.

[treadigraph]

Thanks for clarifying the status of the remains Mike, disappointed that there isn't more. Still, owt's better than nowt, eh?

What was the story with Shuttleworth trying to spring one of the Sri Lankan machines - presumably the Sri Lankans are determined to hold on to their aviation heritage?

[Mike]

I think they just ran out of patience trying to deal with the bureaucracy in that part of the world. Have you read Peter Vacher's Hurricane book? He had more patience than others in dealing with them.

[treadigraph]

No not yet, but you remind me that I should add it to my Santa list. Or more accurately visit a deserving website and buy a copy.

Cheers!