Warbird Information Exchange

Would any of our Canadian members be able to update on the restoration status and intentions with Beaufighter RD867.
Last reference raised by the search function was mid 2012.
One of the other sites has a reference to the museum now having two engines.
You have to love the pugnatious look of a Beaufighter.

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Chris Mellor

The Beaufighter restoration is a big job. it is probably one of the larger restoration projects as to the scope of work and effort required to restore it.
As of a few weeks ago the complete center section has been totally disassembled to its smallest components. A complex rotating jig was built to do this. I have included a shot of the center section taken last year prior to it being disassembled. The jig is now totally empty as all the parts have come out. The components are in surprisingly good condition for the length of time they were outside. All parts well be cleaned,painted/treated and re-riveted back to reform the center section. The restoration is down to the last nut , bolt and rivet.

The front cockpit section still is located by the main entrance to the museum. A donation box near it serves to help with supplemental funding.it is surprisingly complete, missing only a couple items and the instruments.
The rear section and outer wings remain in the storage hanger waiting their turn. I have included a shots of both the inner and outer sections.
When the rear section was opened up prior to the start of the restoration, a large number of parts were found stuffed in it. These apparently had been thrown in the back when the RAF shipped it to Canada.
Engines for this project have been sourced via trades. I don't think that they have arrived yet in Ottawa.There are a number of Hercules engines around, but finding the right type has taken some time.
A good source of information, plans and some parts have come from the USAF Museum in Dayton. These items were left over from their Beaufighter restoration.

The project is expected to take a number of years, given the scope of work required and the number of people involved. The effort and expenses being made to make this restoration is significant. When finished it will be be a significant restoration when it is finished in RCAF 404 Squadron .

mrp

Thanks for that awesome post!

It's good to hear that RD867 didn't suffer too badly from her years of outdoor storage.
It's also really good to hear about the co-operation from the USAF museum offering spares that they did not require.

If engines of the correct model are located and restorable, they would be highly valuable for trade with The Fighter Collection.
Seeing their Beau returned to flight would be amazing!

Looking forward to updates on this challenging restoration.

Andy Scott

Which Viscount is the one sitting next to the Beaufighter? Are there any plans for it to be restored to being a flyer?

Viscount is CF-THI C/N 270.
Acquired as a donation from Air Canada.
Canada Aviation and Space museum does not fly any of its collection.

mrp, thanks for the update, , good to see her inside and receiving attention.

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Chris Mellor

The Canada Aviation Museum used to fly some of its aircraft, an Avro 504, Sopwith Pup and Nieuport 17.The Nieuport crashed in BC and the flying program was shelved. The Nieuport was re-built and now hangs in the Canadian War Museum. The Hawker Hind is periodically run up, to provide a interesting spectacle .
As to the Typhoon coming to Canada, the plan,is for it to come next year. It is currently at the RAF Museum's restoration facility at Cosford. It is the first time it has been disassembled since it arrived at Hendon in 1972. It was restored in 1968 after it arrived back in the Uk from America. It was in fact traded for a Hurricane ( now restored and on display at Udvar Hazy)
I understand that the RAFM will clean and asses the airframe prior to it coming to Canada . As far as I know, the plan is not for it to be restored over here. There is however a plan to re-unite the airframe with some components it left in America!

At present there is healthy dialogue between the major aviation museums , which leads to all sorts of interesting opportunities for all parties.

Pictures of the restauration of the Beaufighter can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/avspacemuseum/sets/