Warbird Information Exchange

Couldn't find anyone at Duxford yesterday who could update me on the Beaufighter beyond what's been posted above. The P-36C was prop off, wing fairings removed and well on the way to being dismantled for shipping.

Couldn't find anyone at Duxford yesterday who could update me on the Beaufighter beyond what's been posted above. The P-36C was prop off, wing fairings removed and well on the way to being dismantled for shipping.

We have had a fair few airworthy twins in the UK at one time or another since the mid-70s to my recollection, some obviously far more active than others; six B-25s (five of them with Jeff Hawke after Eye of the Needle filming), three Mosquitos, two P-38s, two Tigercats, two A-26s and two Blenheims which isn't a bad tally. Unfortunately four of them lost in display-related accidents...

Europe generally hasn't had many, two or three A-26s (and I believe another is currently enroute), at least three B-25s and the P-38 - I can't think of any others off-hand.

I believe you mean the B-25s were used in Hanover Street.

My comment wasn't that there were never many Multi-engined types in the UK, rather compared to the aircraft seen in the past, today's population looks rather thin.

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You're quite right!

Yes, definitely a thin population today; I should imagine part of the problem has been the considerable contraction of air displays* over the last decade or two cooling the blood of warbird owners in wanting to operate expensive machinery without much income to help defray the costs. It's a hell of a shame, in particular I would love to see a Tigercat back here again...

The Biggin Mosquito will hopefully be able to earn its keep...

*It might be easy to blame the Shoreham accident but the number of displays were already declining before then I think. The 1980s and 1990s were the heydey...

I can only recall the aircraft lost at Biggin Hill in '82; was there another?

My own unsubstantiated theory is UK owners would rather put their money in Spitfires.
A better investment long term as well as lower costs. Plus if you have it built or converted into a two-place ship, it can pay its own way.
The civil Spitfire population is healthier than it's ever been, with seemingly more added every year. There must be plenty of projects (and or data plates ) out there.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

Yup, very briefly Barbell Abela and Len Perry had an On Mark or similar, my recollection is that it came to the UK but was found to have a serious structural problem while back in the US on a visit and before repairs were effected Len was killed in a flying accident.

Edit: yep, N7079G which is now based at Renton - think it featured in a Pilot article a few years ago.

Yes!!! I'd forgotten about that one: named Bar-bell Bomber or similar?

Bar Belle Bomber she was apparently. Never did catch up with her.

Owner was Lady Barbel Abela and it seems she and Len set a few point to point records with her...

Well, the Tigercat is single pilot while the B-25 requires two. In the US, the insurance companies are refusing to renew for older pilots. Not sure how insurance in the UK or continental Europe works.

Did anyone ever find out who the "Pratt & Whitney Tech instructor from Canada” or the “Florida collector” were, associated with the P-36C's later life? I don't think anyone has yet explained how it got from its last service location (Buckley AAF, Colorado) to Canada or when.

Ditto there doesn't seem to be any evidence of it being camouflaged though it's often stated; where did that come from?

Well, we all know of a well known collector in Florida....

_________________
Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.