Fighter Collection Projects (Merged)

Discussions regarding historic aircraft, restoration and preservation etc
Heavy Metal
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by Heavy Metal »

Marathon Milkshake wrote:
Mike wrote:The same with P-47s, at least 4 have passed through TFC's hands, plus the RAF Museum example that was restored for display in Hendon.



Purely out of curiosity, I remember "no guts, no glory" and "snafu" but which other ones have TFC owned?

I can think of two. IIRC, one was fitted with a Curtiss Electric propeller and one was fitted with rocket rails. :icecream:

tuska2
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by tuska2 »

I'd particularly love to see the CR.42 back in the air, it seemed so close 3 ( or more? ) years ago, a real teaser, anyone enlighten us? I would have to say that
TFC have been a fantastic asset for the UK aviation scene, even surpassing some of the well known American collections. Over the past 25 years plus, there has been a lot of very rare and diverse aircraft pass through - some a little quickly for us enthusiasts maybe - that have made the TFC Europe unique at the very least.
If TFC were - God forbid - to sell up tomorrow, despite the huge plane shaped holes and disappointment ( no, guttings ) left, I would remain grateful for the great years and Classic "Legends" air shows we did get.

andy759
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by andy759 »

Dan O'Hagan wrote:
andy759 wrote: surely it should now be Sir Stephen Grey


Such sycophantic drivel. There are a million more deserving cases of a knighthood over a rich man who can afford rich man's toys - nice to see though they are.

This forelock-tugging over Stephen Grey is nauseating.


& if it wasn't for rich men with these toys as you put it ( I prefer flying memorials to the young men who gave all so we could free ) were would these aircraft be now sure some might be in museums but you would probably drinking out most of them

andy

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K5054NZ
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by K5054NZ »

Smog Monster wrote:
Fri 29 Sep 2017, 6:38 pm
Would be great to see a complete timeline of what TFC has owned, restored and operated over the years.
Apologies for being rather late, but I've been wondering this myself over the last few days. So far I've come up with:

Beechcraft GB-2/Traveller Mk.I G-BRVE - TFC since 06/03/2006
Bell P-39K Airacobra 42-4312 - TFC 1991, now being restored to fly for Kermit Weeks at Wangaratta, Australia
Bell P-39Q Airacobra 42-19993/N793QG/G-CEJU - TFC 1994-14/01/2010, now with Rod Lewis in Texas
Bell P-63A Kingcobra/RP-63A 42-69097/G-BTWR - TFC 07/10/1991 until lost with Guy Bancroft-Wilson Biggin Hill 03/06/2001
Bell P-63C Kingcobra/RP-63C 44-4393/N62822 - TFC 1987 until lost with John Larcombe France 04/06/1990
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 44-85718/G-FORT - Stephen Grey/Patina Ltd 1986-87, now displayed at Lone Star Flight Museum, Texas
Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 21261/G-JETT - Stephen Grey/Patina Ltd 30/01/1985-02/07/1985, written off after crash Duxford 06/09/2006
Curtiss P-36C 38-210/N80FR/G-CIXJ - TFC since 1995
Curtiss H-75A-1 Hawk G-CCVH/N80FR/G-CCVH - TFC since 1990
Curtiss P-40B Warhawk 41-13297/G-CDWH/N80FR/G-CDWH - TFC 2004-08/05/2014, now with Collings Foundation, Massachussetts
Curtiss P-40C/Tomahawk Mk.IIb 41-13357/N80FR/G-CIIO - TFC since 2008
Curtiss P-40C/Tomahawk Mk.IIb 41-13390/AH935/N80FR/G-TOMA - TFC 1992-31/03/1999, now with Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum, Washington
Curtiss P-40F Warhawk 41-19841/VH-PIV/G-CGZP - TFC since 2006
Curtiss P-40M/Kittyhawk Mk.III 43-5802/N1009N/F-AZPJ/G-KITT - TFC (leased) 02/1985-11/07/1994 and 1997-14/12/2005, now with N40P Warhawk LLC, Washington
Curtiss P-40N 43-23484 - reportedly stored with TFC 2006
DAP Beaufighter Mk.21 A8-324/A19-144 - TFC since 1991
de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito T.III TV959 - TFC 1992-2003
Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider BuNo126922/F-AZED/G-RAID - TFC 12/1991-30/10/2003
EKW C-3603 Schlepp/C-3605 C-483/N360BP - Stephen Grey 12/12/1987-13/11/1988(?)
EKW C-3603 Schlepp/C-3605 C-551/N3605 - Stephen Grey 12/12/1987-13/11/1988(?)
Fiat CR-42 Falco/JR-11 2542/G-CBLS - TFC since 1995
Gloster Gladiator Mk.II N5903/G-GLAD - TFC since 11/1994
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair BuNo88297/N8297/G-FGID - TFC since 03/1986
Goodyear FG-1D Corsair BuNo92106/N6897 - TFC 1989, now with Mike Potter/Vintage Wings Of Canada, Gatineau
Grumman (General Motors) FM-2 Wildcat BuNo55627/N47201- Stephen Grey (leased) 1982-06/1985, now with Palm Springs Air Museum, California
Grumman (General Motors) FM-2 Wildcat BuNo86711/N4845V/G-RUMW - TFC since 1992
Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat/F6F-5K BuNo80141/N10CN/N100TF/G-BTCC - TFC 02/08/1989-06/02/2015, now with Spitfire Aircraft LLC, Texas
Grumman F7F-3P Tigercat BuNo80425/N7235C/G-RUMT - TFC 04/06/1996-29/06/2007
Grumman F8F-1B Bearcat BuNo122095/G-BUCF - TFC 1987-1992, now with Tom Wood/Quality Leasing Co, Indiana
Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat BuNo121614/N7957C - TFC 1987-1991, now with Rod Lewis, Texas
Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat BuNo121714/N700HL/G-RUMM - TFC since 01/1981
Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat BuNo121752/N800H - TFC 1995-03/1998, now with John Sessions Historic Aircraft Foundation, Washington
Hawker Nimrod Mk.I S1581/G-BWWK - TFC since 2004
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IV KZ321/G-HURY - TFC 25/04/1991-20/02/2006, now with Bernard Van Milders/Salphen NV, Belgium
Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII 5424/G-HURI - TFC 12/1982-2004, now with Historic Aircraft Collection, Duxford
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 VX653/G-BUCM - TFC since 11/1991
Hawker Sea Fury T.20/T.20S VZ345/G-VZSF - TFC since 2008
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 WG599/VH-SFY/G-SEAF - TFC since 07/09/2017(?)
Hawker Sea Fury T.20/T.20S WG655/N20MD/G-CHFP - TFC 2008-25/07/2018, now with Shaun Patrick, Goodwood
Lavochkin La-11 - with TFC since 1993
LET C.11/Yakovlev Yak-3U replica 533/G-BTHD - TFC 1988-01/2005(?), now with Planes of Fame, California
LET C.11 1701/F-AZHQ/G-KYAK - TFC 06/1994-16/02/1996, now with Maxi Gainza/Air Fighter Academy, Germany
Lockheed P-38J Lightning/F-5C 42-67543/N3145X - TFC 1987 until lost with Hoof Proudfoot at Duxford, 14/07/1996
Lockheed P-38L Lightning/F-5G 44-27231/N79123 - TFC 2003-2004, now with Fagens Fighters WWII Museum, Minnesota
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon BuNo37419/N7486C - TFC 1993
Noorduyn Harvard Mk.IIb/SK.16A 42-892/FE695/Fv16105/G-BTXI - TFC since 07/1989
North American B-25D/Mitchell Mk.II 43-3318/N88972/G-BYDR - TFC 07/11/1987-2002, now with John Sessions Historic Aircraft Foundation, Washington
North American B-25J/TB-25J/VB-25J/VB-25N 44-30861/G-BKXW - TFC 1989-2006, now at Wycombe Air Park
North American P-51C Mustang 43-25147/N51PR/G-PSIC - TFC 1996-12/2006, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
North American P-51K Mustang 44-12016/G-CBNM - TFC 29/04/2002-30/10/2008, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
North American P-51D Mustang 44-63788/G-PSID - TFC 01/1987-1988, crashed and destroyed France 24/07/1998
North American P-51D Mustang 44-73149/N51JJ/G-BTCD - TFC 05/1980-16/04/1999, now with MSO Air & Space Museum, Turkey
North American P-51D Mustang 44-84847/N251RJ/G-TFSI - TFC 2005-11/07/2016, now with Ultimate Warbird Flights, Sywell
North American F-86A Sabre 49-1217/G-BZNL - TFC 14/11/2000-26/12/2001, possibly stored for FHCAM
Pilatus P.2-03/P.2-05 - A-110/U-110/G-PTWO - TFC 26/02/1981-13/12/1982, possibly still with Radim Vojta, Czech Republic
Republic (Curtiss) P-47G/TP-47G 42-25068/N47DG/G-CDVX - TFC 2005-2013, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
Republic P-47D 44-90438/N647D - Patina Ltd 1985-1986?
Republic P-47D 45-49192/N47DD/G-THUN - TFC 1985-2006, now with Tom Duffy/Claire Aviation, New Jersey
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.Vb EP120/G-LFVB - TFC since 21/01/1993
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.IXc/TR.9/Mk.IX ML417/HS543/G-BJSG - TFC 11/06/1980-10/12/2001, now with Tom Friedkin/Chino Spitfire Inc, Texas
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.IXe RK858 - TFC 03/09/1992-10/2007, now with Propshop Ltd, Duxford
Supermarine Spitfire LFMk.XVIe TB863/G-CDAN - TFC 20/06/1983-03/1987, now with Temora Aviation Museum, Australia
Supermarine Spitfire FRMk.XIVe MV293/G-SPIT - TFC 07/10/1985-11/07/2016, now with Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd/Heritage Aviation Collection, North Weald
Supermarine Spitfire FRMkXIVe NH799/G-BUZU - TFC 1986-1993, now with Murray Miers/Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection, NZ
Supermarine Spitfire FMk.XIVe SM832/G-WWII - TFC 08/1986-18/01/1998, 19/03/2002-02/2004, now with Friedkin Family Fighters/Comanche Fighters, Texas and California
Supermarine Spitfire FRMk.XVIIIe SM969/HS977/G-BRAF - TFC 15/02/2006-2008, now with Lawrence Classics LLC/ Echo Matrix LLC, Arkansas
Supermarine Spitfire FMk.22 PK624 - TFC since 10/1994

The following are parts collections/hulks/wrecks I've identified:
Curtiss P-40B 39-285 - used in restoration of 41-13297, possibly stored with TFC since 2004
Curtiss P-40B 39-287 - used in restoration of 41-13297, possibly stored with TFC since 2004
Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIb - two wrecks recovered from Russia, to TFC c.1992 then to IWM Duxford for restoration of "Z2315"

Can anyone help with corrections/additions?
Last edited by K5054NZ on Sun 27 Sep 2020, 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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What has The Fighter Collection had?

Post by K5054NZ »

Double post.
Last edited by K5054NZ on Sat 03 Oct 2020, 7:59 am, edited 2 times in total.
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ZRX61
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Re: What has The Fighter Collection had?

Post by ZRX61 »

Pretty sure there was SeaFury prior to 11/91 because I left the UK in June of that year & there was one in the hangar. I seem to remember it was a trade for restoring a Tempest for the RAF museum (which was also in the hangar at that time).

JonMann
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by JonMann »

Couple of ammendments needed to the list.

The Beaufort is a Beaufighter.
Thunderbolt G-THUN is back in the UK with Fighter Aviation Engineering LTD.

Mike
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by Mike »

Not a bad starting point, quite a lot missing though

From a cursory glance over my morning coffee you’re missing Spitfire XIVs MV262 & G-FIRE, a couple of Yak-11s, the Bearcat that has just flown at Chino with Steve Hinton, a P-40M now with Comanche, a TBM, Gnat T1 G-GNAT, a Fouga Magister, at least one more Pilatus P.2 (Swiss-registered), Sea Fury G-SALY, an Interavia aerobatic prototype, Beech Baron G-AWAH, MiG-15, Carbon Cub, Ki-43 Oscar projects, another P-47 (ex-Doug Arnold from Yugoslavia, that went to Dr John Whittington in the US) plus probably a bunch more that I’ve forgotten about.

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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by Mike »

There was also a Fiat G.59 that went to Jerry Yagen
The Anson fuselage (ex-Australia) that’s now in the RAF Museum

TFC also restored the Tempest II and P-47 for the RAF Museum.

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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by K5054NZ »

Thanks Mike, it's good to have some homework!
JonMann wrote:
Sun 27 Sep 2020, 7:57 am
The Beaufort is a Beaufighter.
Thunderbolt G-THUN is back in the UK with Fighter Aviation Engineering LTD.
Thanks Jon - I had the right Beau in my Word doc, at least! And I thought 'HUN had gone back.
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by K5054NZ »

Mike wrote:
Sun 27 Sep 2020, 9:20 am
Not a bad starting point, quite a lot missing though

From a cursory glance over my morning coffee you’re missing Spitfire XIVs MV262 & G-FIRE, a couple of Yak-11s, the Bearcat that has just flown at Chino with Steve Hinton, a P-40M now with Comanche, a TBM, Gnat T1 G-GNAT, a Fouga Magister, at least one more Pilatus P.2 (Swiss-registered), Sea Fury G-SALY, an Interavia aerobatic prototype, Beech Baron G-AWAH, MiG-15, Carbon Cub, Ki-43 Oscar projects, another P-47 (ex-Doug Arnold from Yugoslavia, that went to Dr John Whittington in the US) plus probably a bunch more that I’ve forgotten about.
There was also a Fiat G.59 that went to Jerry Yagen
The Anson fuselage (ex-Australia) that’s now in the RAF Museum
The ex-Arnold P-47D is 44-90438, already listed.
Did TFC operate G-SALY on behalf of someone? Goodall shows no relevant ownership change. Similarly Goodall shows no link between TFC and Bearcat BuNo121707/N3025?
I'm having trouble pinning down the MiG-15, the other Pilatus P.2(s) and the Oscars, as well as the other Yaks you mentioned.
I'll need to go outside my comfort zone for the lighter stuff!
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by Mike »

There were two ex-Arnold P-47s. One went to Bob Pond, the other to Whittington. I helped box both of them

Goodall isn’t infallible. The information I gave you is all accurate.

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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by Mike »

The MiG came from Russia and went to the Australian War Museum. The Oscar projects came from the AWM. They later went to Nobuo Harada in Japan, who has just finished up the second one.

G-SALY came from Doug Arnold and went to the US. It was never flown in the U.K.

You’re also missing the RAF Museum Sabre, which came from Italy for the Harpoon you have listed.
Last edited by Mike on Sun 27 Sep 2020, 4:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by K5054NZ »

Thanks Mike, I really appreciate it!
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by Mike »

Bristol Fighter G-ACAA
Jungmeister G-AYSJ
Pilatus P.2 HB-RBA
Yak-50 G-BTZB

I have a total of 98 aircraft on my list. I'm sure there were others.

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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by Domvickery »

Are they still working on the Beaufighter, I remember some reports on here about it starting up again & they were close to sourcing some good engines
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Re: Fighter Collection Projects

Post by K5054NZ »

Pinning down the pre-Patina ownership history of the Bucker is proving a bit tricky.
Mike wrote:
Sun 27 Sep 2020, 4:23 pm
Bristol Fighter G-ACAA
How on earth could I forget that? I've seen it fly on multiple occasions! Very odd it can both be a Weston on the Green fuselage (workshop built c.1919) AND a civil-registered machine cancelled in 1946...
I have a total of 98 aircraft on my list. I'm sure there were others.
I may have taken on a bigger job than I needed to. Maybe I should go back to my OFMC list!
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Re: What has The Fighter Collection had?

Post by K5054NZ »

ZRX61 wrote:
Sun 27 Sep 2020, 4:40 am
Pretty sure there was SeaFury prior to 11/91 because I left the UK in June of that year & there was one in the hangar. I seem to remember it was a trade for restoring a Tempest for the RAF museum (which was also in the hangar at that time).
If Goodall's correct then that was VX653, in my list - I think some of the dates he gives are approximate so I'll trust you over him regarding that!

I originally posted this here and there's been more discussion on that thread, so I'll leave this thread alone.
Last edited by K5054NZ on Sun 27 Sep 2020, 9:43 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: What has The Fighter Collection had?

Post by Mike »

That was G-SALY

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Re: What has The Fighter Collection had?

Post by Keefy041 »

G-SALY was the former Southend museum Sea Fury which was owned by British Aerial Reserve for a while whilst it was at Duxford before being sold to the USA.
The Sea Fury TFC received for the restoration of the RAF Museums Tempest was VX653 / G-BUCM.

Additions to the list, the P-47 G-THUN is obviously now back in the UK based at Sywell.
Also i remember being told many years ago that TFC had a Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar) project, don't know any other details though .

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Re: What has The Fighter Collection had?

Post by Mike »

Keefy041 wrote:
Thu 01 Oct 2020, 9:19 pm
G-SALY was the former Southend museum Sea Fury which was owned by British Aerial Reserve for a while whilst it was at Duxford
Not so. It went from BAR to Doug Arnold before it came to Duxford, thence to TFC and later on to the US

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Re: What has The Fighter Collection had?

Post by Mike »

Keefy041 wrote:
Thu 01 Oct 2020, 9:19 pm
Also i remember being told many years ago that TFC had a Ki-43 Hayabusa (Oscar) project, don't know any other details though .
We seem to have 2 threads going on this. I've detailed the origin and disposition of the 2 Oscar projects on the other one.

Mods - any chance of the thread merge please?

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Re: Fighter Collection Projects (Merged)

Post by K5054NZ »

Thanks Mike, I'd have deleted/locked the other thread had I known how! Also thanks for the lead on the Oscars.
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