The Horsemen at Duxford 2011

[AlexC]

No Westland Whirlwind fighters were preserved. All scraped during WWII I believe.

[RodMcKenzie]

All scraped during WWII I believe.

That's a pretty good way of summing up the Whirlwind's operational career - like many a British design, it was undone by the poor reliability of its engines (Rolls-Royce Peregrines). Closest you'll get to one these days is a recreation of the forward fuselage, currently at the Fenland Aviation Museum nr. Wisbech. I believe there's also a cockpit section being worked on, and rumours persist of a couple of crash sites that could yield substantial bits, but a complete example would only ever be likely to come in FSM/replica form. A shame, as it was a very attractive aircraft, though not quite in the same category as the likewise inexplicably extinct DH Hornet

[Red Dragon]

If your talking longshots, how about this...... A Hawker Tempest! Flying in tandem with the RNHF's Sea Fury I seem to remember hearing that the re-furb of a Tempest is just awaiting a engine before she airborne again

[classicaviation]

If your talking longshots, how about this...... A Hawker Tempest! Flying in tandem with the RNHF's Sea Fury I seem to remember hearing that the re-furb of a Tempest is just awaiting a engine before she airborne again

If you are talking about the one at PPS, Booker, then she is described in this month's Aeroplane Magazine as bery very long term. They will have to make many parts and sections from scratch; so many, in fact, some may consider it a new build.

[classicaviation]

On the subject of Fury's we have had an influx of those over the winter period which by my calculation will have five at least airworthy in Europe; that would be an impressive formation!

As mentioned by James the Hawker Fury Mk.I bi-plane could be near completion to go with all the other Hawker bi-planes we have.

There are two regular Ju52 visitors from Europe but there are at least four others.

So Whirlwinds and DH Hornets aside there is still plenty to be hopeful for across Europe!

[RodMcKenzie]

If your talking longshots, how about this...... A Hawker Tempest! Flying in tandem with the RNHF's Sea Fury I seem to remember hearing that the re-furb of a Tempest is just awaiting a engine before she airborne again

If you are talking about the one at PPS, Booker, then she is described in this month's Aeroplane Magazine as bery very long term.

I think Red Dragon was probably referring to G-TEMT at Wickenby, which is pretty much complete but awaiting an engine from the USA - last update I read indicated the owner had shelved the project for the time being...

[Red Dragon]

If your talking longshots, how about this...... A Hawker Tempest! Flying in tandem with the RNHF's Sea Fury I seem to remember hearing that the re-furb of a Tempest is just awaiting a engine before she airborne again

If you are talking about the one at PPS, Booker, then she is described in this month's Aeroplane Magazine as bery very long term.

I think Red Dragon was probably referring to G-TEMT at Wickenby, which is pretty much complete but awaiting an engine from the USA - last update I read indicated the owner had shelved the project for the time being...

That's the one! RodMcKenzie thanks. If I remember correctly wasn't there also G-TEMP?

[classicaviation]

If your talking longshots, how about this...... A Hawker Tempest! Flying in tandem with the RNHF's Sea Fury I seem to remember hearing that the re-furb of a Tempest is just awaiting a engine before she airborne again

If you are talking about the one at PPS, Booker, then she is described in this month's Aeroplane Magazine as being very long term.

I think Red Dragon was probably referring to G-TEMT at Wickenby, which is pretty much complete but awaiting an engine from the USA - last update I read indicated the owner had shelved the project for the time being...

I believe you're right, it has gone right off the radar so being shelved is probably an accurate description!

According to G-INFO; G-TEMT is Tempest II MW763 which is the one "shelved". G-PEST is the long termer described in the PPS article.
G-TEMP is a Piper Cherokee - not exactly what Legends is looking for!

[Typhoon]

Just looked at G-TEMT and interestingly they say it could take off from Wickenby but not land...that would be an amzing sight with the Sea Fury.

And thinking of the Horsemen bringing the Mustangs...maybe they could bring back Twilight Tear

Gareth

[RodMcKenzie]

If I remember correctly wasn't there also G-TEMP?

It's complicated... Both G-TEMP & G-TEMT were part of the Tempest Two collection at Spanhoe, the owner of which was sadly murdered. I believe G-TEMP was sold on to a French owner, who promptly also died, leaving the aircraft in limbo (& possibly still stored at Spanhoe, for all I know).

G-PEST is the long termer described in the PPS article.

Yep - owned by Kermit Weeks, who I believe intends to install an original Napier Sabre powerplant...

G-TEMP is a Piper Cherokee - not exactly what Legends is looking for!

No, but could be a dead cert for the Waddington static park this year

[lanemiker]

Here's hoping also that with 2011 being the Centennial Year of Naval Aviation, The Fighter Collection can get the F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat and the FG-1D Corsair up for a Naval Legacy Flight over Duxford at some point this year. Hopefully we can see them together at Flying Legends.

Lance

[classicaviation]

Here's hoping also that with 2011 being the Centennial Year of Naval Aviation, The Fighter Collection can get the F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat and the FG-1D Corsair up for a Naval Legacy Flight over Duxford at some point this year. Hopefully we can see them together at Flying Legends.

Lance

From what I can gather Hellcat, very unlikely, Bearcat, already back in the air, Corsair, 50/50.

[classicaviation]

If I remember correctly wasn't there also G-TEMP?

It's complicated... Both G-TEMP & G-TEMT were part of the Tempest Two collection at Spanhoe, the owner of which was sadly murdered. I believe G-TEMP was sold on to a French owner, who promptly also died, leaving the aircraft in limbo (& possibly still stored at Spanhoe, for all I know).

G-PEST is the long termer described in the PPS article.

Yep - owned by Kermit Weeks, who I believe intends to install an original Napier Sabre powerplant...

G-TEMP is a Piper Cherokee - not exactly what Legends is looking for!

No, but could be a dead cert for the Waddington static park this year

Yes I believe you are right about the engine for the Tempest, another of the reasons why the project is going to take so long as there are no skilled Napier Sabre engineers out there!
Looking forward to Waddo now, c'mon G-TEMP

[lanemiker]

Here's hoping also that with 2011 being the Centennial Year of Naval Aviation, The Fighter Collection can get the F6F Hellcat, F8F Bearcat and the FG-1D Corsair up for a Naval Legacy Flight over Duxford at some point this year. Hopefully we can see them together at Flying Legends.

Lance

From what I can gather Hellcat, very unlikely, Bearcat, already back in the air, Corsair, 50/50.

I'm well aware of the F8F Bearcat being back in the air, and believe me, it is a pleasure to see her flying. I was just hoping to get all three up at the same time for a Naval Legacy Flight for the Centennial Year of Naval Aviation.

Lance

[King Cobra]

With regards to more axis aircraft...what about the 'other' Buchon in ARCo's care? Have those two with an Me262 and Fw190 within the Spitfire segment

Gareth

Well the other Buchon was on the Flightline for the Battle Of Britain show so presumably she is somewhat near airworthy condition, havn't heard anything about test flights etc yet though.
But your little scenario there would be pretty damn great! Don't forget a Daimler-Benz powered '109...not been heard at DX for quite a while!

Can we have the Buchons in Spanish AF markings please? Rather bored with seeing them posing as faux Luftwaffe 109s.

[classicaviation]

Can we have the Buchons in Spanish AF markings please? Rather bored with seeing them posing as faux Luftwaffe 109s.

Although I don't agree that the luftwaffe schemes are 'boring' (and the BoB film scheme was a stroke of genious) it would be quite cool to see one in Spanish Air Force markings too

[jimbob1194]

It would be rather nice and unique, but I doubt we'll see it this year. ARCo's Buchon only changed it's scheme last year, and the other Buchon is new so I doubt that will yet. I do love both schemes on these Buchons anyway so I'm happy for now.

James

[King Cobra]

Maybe I'm a grumpy old git but I've never liked Buchons posing as Luftwaffe 109s. I understand why it's done but I would much prefer to see them in the markings they carried in Spanish AF service. On the other hand I'd rather them fly in German markings than not fly at all. If only we had a few more DB powered 109s to play with.

[RodMcKenzie]

The wonderfully-named Air Zoo in Michigan has a Buchon in authentic Spanish markings, and very fetching it looks too. That said, I love the current colours applied to the resident Duxford examples, and think they suit the look of the aircraft more than many Luftwaffe schemes. Luckily, I've never been a purist

[jimbob1194]

Here she is:



James

[King Cobra]

Thanks for sharing jimbob1194. Looks very nice indeed.

[Bert Lee]

And thinking of the Horsemen bringing the Mustangs...maybe they could bring back Twilight Tear

Gareth

Twillight Tear?

[Boghopper Mk 11a]

Can you bring a race horse back from the dead

[Rob Leigh]

Let's have Shergar while we're at it.


The Horsemen by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr


The Horsemen by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr


The Horsemen by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr


P-51 Mustangs "Twilight Tear" & Princess Elizabeth by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr