Warbird Information Exchange

Hello,

I just thought I'd post a picture of the Handley Page Hampden that's on display at the Canadian Museum of Flight at Langley Airport, BC.

Here's the Hampden. Restoration was headed by Fred Gardham with help from many other people including myself (1995). Fred is a remarkable man who worked on Hampdens during WWII and was able to restore this airplane to its current state using only old drawings and his memory.

As a note, most of the airframe is made from new material, but as much as possible, original parts were used. This Hampden was brought up from the bottom of Patricia Bay in 1985(ish) and work continued from then until its completion.



Here's Fred and myself shortly after the dedication ceremony of the Hampden.


-David

Awesome work!

Now, if only we can get the NAV to let the same thing happen with our birds......


Material, smaterial. Nice job! I'm not big on the original stuff. It doesn't fly. And if it warranted, it would be "original", like the Enola Gay or something like that.

Thanks for the pictures!

_________________
DEEP THOUGHTS BY KIDS:
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. Age 15 "


Deep Thoughts,
Jack Handy

Hey OP,

What did you mean by NAV? I'm unfamiliar with that abbreviation.



-David

Navy

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Are there any photos of this aircraft while under restoration? I have seen photos of the wreckage pulled out of the water (which was well-buggered iirc). I had also heard that the RAF museum provided the cockpit section, but have never seen any photos of this unit, prior to its incorporation into the restoration. Anyone have any shots of this? Shame she's stored outside, given how much effort was put into her.

Cheers,
Richard

David,
Speaking of Langlay Airpark. A long time ago say oh 1977, my dad and I
were visiting Franz Stigler in Surrey and spent the day at Langley. I recieved a ride in A Harvard IV from a very nice older chap who was a X-RCAF instructor pilot. I wish I could remember his name but his Harvard was yellow with a white flash or strip down the side and a triangle on the fuselage. Any ideas????

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Sounds like Tony Swain, the green triangle was the "roundel" for Delta Airpark. His Harvard is now with the Canadian Harvard Association.

see: http://www.warbirdregistry.org/texanreg ... 20321.html

Brian....

That's the chap!
Many thanks

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

That's the chap!
Many thanks

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

That's the chap!
Many thanks

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

OK-so I figured out the multiple posting thing.
Has I entered my post it came up Debug Mode
so I clicked back and hit submit again and again.
so evidently when you get the debug mode when
trying to post it actually posted even though you
don't know it.

_________________
Don't touch my junk!!

Yup, has happened to me too.

T J

_________________
Make my day, punk!

Hey Richard,

Yes, there are quite a few photos taken during the restoration of the Hampden. I have some that I'd have to scan (and without a scanner that's quite difficult)... and I'm sure there are many photos in the CMF's photo archives of the restorations as well.

If you'd like them I can try and figure out a way of getting them scanned.

Cheers,

David

David,

If its not too much trouble to get them scanned I'd be really interested in seeing them also.

Cheers,

Edward

Hey Edward and Richard,

The people have spoken and I shall find a way to scan the pictures that I have. Where there's a will, there's a way.

You can look forward to them over the next week or so... I'm hoping.

Cheers,

David