Warbird Information Exchange

Sadly, NX611's wings spars were damaged whilst she was being kept outside at Blackpool in the early 70s. The batteries for the engines were stored inside the fuselage on top of the main spar and unfortunately some acid found its way onto the spar. She was subsequently grounded and sold to a titled benefactor who long term loaned her to RAF Scampton as a gate guardian. I spent many months scrutinising her on my first RAF tour at Scampton whilst building a model of her. On the death of the owner his brother decided to sell her and her new owners put a lot of effort in to move her to East kirkby and thankfully put her under cover (at last). She did indeed get her tail up about 4 years or so ago during the filming of a wartime TV drama about a bomber crew that starred Edward Woodward. The RAF BBMF re-sparred PA474 several years ago so it is possible to do! I wonder how much it would cost? Maybe some Hollywood producer could find the money to have a real flying example in an up coming remake of The Dam Busters, well we can all dream can't we. Well done to the team than run East Kirkby, I would recommend it as a good day out especially if you can get a visit to the BBMF arranged on the same day as they are only a few miles apart. Does anyone know for sure if Mr Jackson intends to get permission from the MOD to film part of the new film at Scampton? I'm sure the Red Arrows and the ATC team there would love to know!

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Fompy

Yes essentially as with all these things it's cash, as she would need all the systems rebuilt to airworthy standards etc., and IIRC, to satisfy CAA/BAe requirements she'd have to have the re-spar mod as per the BBMF Lanc some years ago......if there was any material left over of course bearing in mind that job was jone by BAe from left over material from the Shackleton re-spar mods many years before.

However, cash aside, the owners of '611 don't actually want her to fly anyway, and I think the way she is 'displayed' as such now is very good and a bit special, in conjunction with the East Kirby surroundings........

Those occasional night time runs are especially evocative...........