Old TimersCompiled by Peter R March and Paul Fiddian A round-up of historic aircraft display and restoration news Thunderbolt from the blue PHOTO: PETER R MARCH The former IWM Duxford- based P-47D Thunderbolt No Guts - No Glory! is returning to the UK. Active with The Fighter Collection (TFC) for twenty years, it left for the USA in mid-2006 but has now been purchased by Graham Peacock and restored to the UK register as G-THUN to his new company Fighter Aviation Engineering Ltd. A powerful and agile performer, No Guts - No Glory! was, for two decades, the sole example of Republic’s heavyweight single-seat WWII fighter active in European skies. Built in 1945, P-47D 45-49192 was delivered to the USAAF that same year and briefly used as a Wing, where it was repainted to Above: P-47D No Guts – 24 February. It was repainted trainer before storage at Tinker represent the 62nd FS 56th FG No Glory! seen here at with the distinctive chequered- AFB, Oklahoma. Sold to the Thunderbolt flown by Kansas- Duxford’s first Flying cowl, MX-X code and markings of Peruvian Air Force, it had periods born WWII ace Colonel David Legends airshow in Lieutenant Colonel Ben Mayo’s of frontline and training use from Schilling. In January 1980, Robin 1993. Will it return for personal machine when assigned 1953 to 1967. The Thunderbolt Collard of Del Rio, Texas, bought the event’s 25th to the RAF Duxford-based 78th anniversary this July? was repatriated, along with five the aircraft but it crashed on its FG’s 82nd FS. For the next twenty others, by Confederate Air Force delivery flight after its engine years, it made many memorable Colonel Ed Jurist, arriving at failed. The damage was extensive appearances at airshows Harlingen, Texas, in September but in new owner Jon Ward’s including the first Flying Legends 1969. Registered N47DD, it flew and later Jim Kirby’s hands, the Air Show at Duxford in May 1993. again in 1973. It was painted as Thunderbolt was resurrected. The Thunderbolt returned to 226641 Grumpy of the 527th Completed by Fighter Rebuilders, the USA in mid-2006, passing Fighter Squadron (FS), 86th it was flown again at Chino in briefly through the hands of Fighter Group (FG) USAAF. August 1985. Now owned by Provenance Fighters in Las Vegas N47DD went to David Tallichet Stephen Grey/TFC, less than before joining the Millville Army at Chino, CA in 1975, joining his six months later, on 22 January Air Field Museum, New Jersey, in Yesterday’s Air Force and was 1986, it arrived at Duxford January 2007. Confirmation of soon allocated to the Kansas and was back in the air on No Guts - No Glory’s acquisition by Fighter Aviation Engineering

PHOTO: PAUL FIDDIAN came via the CAA’s UK register entry of 28 February 2018. It is likely that the P-47 will join Graham Peacock’s Anglia Aircraft Restoration warbirds, which include Fury SR661, Tempest V JN768 and Spitfire Vc EE602 (see ‘On the Move’), based with Air Leasing at Sywell. Might we see this rare WWII fighter Left: No Guts – No Glory! displaying once again at the 25th was for two decades, the anniversary Flying Legends at only P-47 Thunderbolt Duxford in July? active in European skies Report: Paul Fiddian

58 | Pilot April 2018 | pilotweb.aero Old TImers PHOTOS: PETER R MARCH 2003 to José’s friend John Henstridge Pothecary who will make the first post-restoration flight later this happenings year. Another notable vintage aircraft Cessna 195B N999MH owned by that will be leaving Henstridge David Ponte has recently returned in May is Tom Leaver’s Travel Air to Henstridge in South Somerset 4000 NC5427, which will soon after being repainted by Fly be crated ready for transport to Moore Aviation in a new cream the USA where it will join the and darker blue colour scheme at 2018 American Barnstormers Dunkeswell, Devon. The vintage Tour. This event starts on 5 July 1949-built Cessna ‘Businessliner’ at Jefferson City, making its way Above: The newly-repainted vintage Cessna 195B N999MH has now looks more in period with its across various states including returned to Henstridge new ‘art deco’ finish. Iowa and South Dakota before Below: Work is progressing on Miles Hawk Major G-CCMH, here in Also at Henstridge, the rebuild finishing at the EAA AirVenture front of Tom Leaver’s Travel Air shortly to leave for the USA of Miles M2H Hawk Major show at Oshkosh three weeks G-CCMH is making progress later. Hopefully Tom will bring it although it will be going shortly back to the UK in the autumn. to the Southampton area for some The LAA Wessex Strut is work on the undercarriage and again hosting its annual fly-in at wheel spats, before it is flight Henstridge on 29 April. Following tested and returned to owner José on from last year’s successful event, Chicarro Villar in Spain as EC-ABI. the strut has invited all the LAA test It had been brought to South aeroplanes from recent years and Gloucestershire as a basket case hopes to put as many on display by Tim Cox in 2003, with the as possible. Locally-based Aircraft aim of restoring the 1935 vintage Coverings will be giving aircraft aircraft to airworthy condition fabric covering demonstrations with a new fuselage. It was throughout the day. registered G-CCMH on 20 October Report: Neil Wilson PHOTO: NIGEL HITCHMAN Wherefore a Boulton sent for scrap with just a handful of cockpit sections later ‘rescued’ by enthusiasts. Paul Balliol T2? One of these (WN149) was rebuilt by the Heritage Project Although some 230 examples of the at the former BP factory at Fordhouses. Boulton Paul Balliol, the last British Unfortunately, the site was closed in 2013 Rolls-Royce Merlin-engined aircraft, and the nearly complete Balliol went to were built from 1950-55, there are only RAF Cosford where it remains stored. Above: CA310, one of Sri Lanka’s two three complete survivors worldwide. As There is also the cockpit section of Balliol preserved Balliols, once flew with the RAF Nigel Hitchman discovered on a recent T2 WN534 at the Tettenhall Transport Below: Cosford’s Sea Balliol, the only complete visit to Sri Lanka, two of these advanced example of the trainer on display in the UK Heritage Centre at Wolverhampton, along

trainers (CA302 and CA310) are displayed PHOTO: PETER R MARCH with the fuselage of WN516. at the Sri Lankan Air Force Museum at While it is good to see in this RAF Ratmalana AB near Colombo. The Royal centenary year a Balliol displayed at Ceylon AF received a dozen Balliol T2s in RAFM Cosford, it is undeniably a naval 1957, five of which were taken from the aircraft with its folding wings, rather than RAF’s unwanted fleet of 196 aircraft. The a fixed-wing T2. Some years ago, there RAF Museum at Cosford has Sea Balliol was a suggestion that the Shuttleworth T21 WL732, one of thirty delivered to the Collection was looking at the possibility for pilot training and the last of obtaining one of the Sri Lankan Balliols to fly in the UK in February 1969. and restoring it to flying condition at Old Designed after the war to replace the Warden. The aircraft in question, CA310, Harvard as the standard RAF and FAA does have a strong link with the UK as it advanced trainer, the first Balliol T2 was was originally built for the RAF as WG224. flown seventy years ago on 10 July 1948. was equipped with the Balliol for pilot Bought back by Boulton Paul in 1957 it was While production and deliveries were under training. Other units, including No 288 registered as G-APCN on 12 May 1957 and way, the decided to adopt Squadron at Middle Wallop and 238 OCU sold to the Royal Ceylonese AF as CA310 the Vampire T11 as the RAF’s advanced at Colerne, also flew the Balliol until early before departing three months later. trainer. Only 7 FTS at RAF Cottesmore 1957. The whole fleet was subsequently Report: Peter R March

pilotweb.aero | Pilot April 2018 | 59 Old TImers PHOTO: TIM BADHAM PHOTO: TIM BADHAM Coventry’s Dakotas move on

Significant Douglas Dakota October 1947 during the Kashmir activity has been taking place conflict, the aircraft has been at Coventry of late. A major painted in IAF camouflage colours project milestone was reached and allocated the Indian Air Force on 13 February when one of the serial VP905. It will be named Warwickshire airport’s airworthy Parashurama and in due course examples, refurbished over join a Tiger Moth and Harvard in several years, was gifted to the the IAF’s Vintage Flight at Hindon Indian Air Force to join its Vintage Air Base, Uttar Pradesh. The Flight. The gift deed-signing Dakota was, in mid-March, still in ceremony was conducted in New the UK, at RAF Benson, while crew Top: This refurbished Delhi. There, the Chief of Air training and final preparations are Command-liveried Dakota ‘KK116’ Dakota was gifted to the Staff, Air Chief Marshal Birender completed for its long ferry flight Indian Air Force Vintage (G-AMPY) had not flown for some Singh Dhanoa PVSM, AVSM, YSM, to India. This is likely to take place Flight in mid-February… time but, on 16 February, was VM, ADC, was presented with in the second half of April. Above: …and wears Indian airborne at Coventry. In the late the relevant papers and deed by RVL Aviation’s (ex-Atlantic Air Force camouflage afternoon sunlight, it performed Member of Parliament Rajeev Air Transport) RAF Transport with the serial VP905 several missed approaches at Chandrasekhar who obtained East Midlands Airport before the Dakota in 2011. His father, heading back to its base. G-AMPY’s Air Commodore (Retired) MK re-emergence is reportedly Chandrasekhar, who had been an contract work-related. Meanwhile, IAF Dakota pilot, was also present. restoration continues on C-47A Built in 1944, this Dakota served 42-100521 Night Fright which, by with the RAF as KN397. After mid-March, had been undergoing disposal it was registered G-AMSV major internal structural work and and operated by numerous was being prepared to have primer independent airlines including applied to its bare metal fuselage. British United, Macedonian The WWII veteran is being restored Airways, Skyways Cargo and for future operation with the finally Air Atlantique. Membury Airfield Memorial Flight To honour the first Dakota and will hopefully be able to PHOTO: ANDREW MARCH which transported troops of 1 RVL’s Dakota KK116 (G-AMPY) taxying participate in June 2019’s D-Day Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on 27 out to fly again at Coventry on 16 February 75th anniversary events.

60 | Pilot April 2018 | pilotweb.aero Old TImers

Propshop Spitfire PT462’s ‘new look’ emerges at Duxford Enthusiasts at IWM Duxford on have unusual small code letters 22 February 2018 were treated (as was the case) and they will be to a unique sight when John in the off-white colour used in this Romain brought his recently theatre of operations, together acquired Spitfire T9 back to with a red spinner. The No 253 Sqn Duxford repainted in RAF wartime badge will be displayed within a colours but carrying its civil white disc on the fin top. registration G-CTIX. Owned by After the war, PT462 went on Anthony Hodgson for nearly to serve with the Italian AF from twenty years and operated from 1947-1952 and the Israeli AF until a private strip in North Wales, it was retired in 1956. Its remains G-CTIX was registered to John were recovered from Israel by Romain’s company Propshop Ltd Robs Lamplough in 1983 and sold last October following its arrival at to Charles Church at Micheldever, Duxford for annual servicing. With Hants where it was rebuilt by Dick this completed, the former single- Melton as a two-seat T9. First seat Spitfire HF IXe PT462 was flown as such on 25 July 1987, flown to Kidlington where it was PHOTO: COL POPE it remained at the airstrip near stripped back to bare metal and Winchester after the untimely repainted by Pete Medley of Flying researched by ARC engineer Col Repainted Spitfire T9 death of Charles Church until sold Colours in the overall scheme that Pope were being applied in mid PT462, its civilian to Jet Cap Aviation in Florida in it wore when operating with the March. After completion PT462 registration prominently 1994. Four years later, it returned Mediterranean Allied Air Force in will carry its original No 253 Sqn displayed, returned to to the UK after purchase by early 1945. code SW-A, worn when it was a Duxford on 22 February Anthony Hodgson/Dragon Flight. Back at Duxford, the detailed Spitfire HF IXe flying from Treviso, Report: Peter R March and markings that had been closely North Italy in April 1945. It will Col Pope PHOTO: PETER R MARCH Mosquito build breakthroughs

In the ’s centenary year, the prospect of its best- known twin-engined WWII fighter-bomber’s return to British skies has been given a major boost. The People’s Mosquito (TPM) has contracted East Sussex-based Retrotec to build and test the Mosquito it hopes to have in four or five years’ time. The agreement represents a significant advancement for the project, based on the remains of No 23 Squadron’s Mosquito NF36 RL249, which crash-landed on RAF Coltishall’s perimeter on 14 February 1949. While small enterprises up and down become a test platform for Barnes British Aerospace’s harnessing RL249’s remnants, the country.” Wallis’s ‘Highball’ bouncing bomb. Mosquito T3 RR299 – TPM’s reproduction will be an The Mosquito Pathfinder Trust Still thus-configured, it was seen here at Boscombe FBVI variant. “From the outset, is also working to create a flyable shipped out to Australia in 1945 Down in June 1992 but Retrotec was top of our list”, TPM UK-based example and has teamed and stationed at RAAF Narromine, tragically lost four years later – was the UK’s last Managing Director John Lilley up with world-leading Mosquito New South Wales. From storage airworthy example enthused. “We share a passion for authority, New Zealand’s Avspecs at that location, it was discharged returning a Mosquito to UK skies, Ltd, to make it happen. Mosquito from service and moved to a but we also want to celebrate BIV DZ542, the trust’s chosen local farm, where it remained for and raise awareness of what an airframe, was built at Hatfield and decades. DZ542 resurfaced in outstanding example of British entered RAF service, equipping the late 1980s, when it entered aeronautical design this aircraft No 618 Squadron, in April 1944. Glyn Powell/Mosquito Aircraft was; an aircraft that was built by Later that year, it was modified to Restoration Ltd’s ownership.

pilotweb.aero | Pilot April 2018 | 61 Old TImers PHOTO: ANDY WOOD On the Move

Fairey Junior G-AMVP is a unique and delightful new addition to the Real Aeroplane Company at Breighton. Flown up from Bembridge, via Sywell, by RAC co-owner Tony ‘Taff’ Smith on 24 February, it touched down after a 4hr 40min flight in the fading afternoon sunlight. Designed by EO Tips at Avions Fairey, Fairey Aviation’s Belgian division, the diminutive Junior was first flown in 1947. Just two were built and ‘VP, the second, was the only example placed on the UK civil register. Test pilot RAC co-owner Tony ‘Taff’ Smith brought the one-off Fairey Junior to new home Breighton after a long Peter Twiss, who had set a new open-cockpit winter flight from Bembridge World Speed Record of 1,132 PHOTO: AIR LEASING mph in the the ended up in the USA where previous year, could not have it was reconstructed first by been in a more contrasting type’s Kenosha, Wisconsin-based Chuck cockpit when, in 1957, he landed Greenhill’s team and completed the Junior on HMS Ark Royal as a by Sea Fury specialists Sanders publicity ‘stunt’. The lightplane’s Aeronautics, with Brian Sanders long-term owner was Alan conducting 24 May 2005’s post- Wershat, in whose care it resided restoration reflight. Purchased by for over fifty years. TFC in 2008, it was reintroduced The Fighter Collection’s to the UK air display scene at Hawker Sea Fury T20 WG655, Flying Legends the following July. was airborne at IWM Duxford on Both Sywell-based Buchóns 22 February for the first time in are now in the marketplace. over five years. The 1951-built Air Leasing’s airworthy Above: Anglia Aircraft registered to Graham Peacock’s former RN two-seat trainer and Hispano HA1112-M4L ‘Red 11’ Restorations’ Buchón Anglia Aircraft Restorations, the ‘White 9’, which Air West German AF target tug has (G-AWHC), which was airborne price of each is available upon Leasing is restoring to now been fitted with a Pratt & last November, having been fly, is for sale application. ‘White 9’ has been Whitney R2800 engine with a restored by Air Leasing after with Air Leasing for restoration four-blade propeller in place of its arrival in January 2016, is Below left: TFC’s since 2017. Built in 1958, it gave its original Centaurus driving a new addition to Platinum re-engined Sea Fury T20 the Spanish Air Force seven years’ a five-blade propeller. TFC- Fighter Sales’ (USA) inventory. was airborne twice on 22 service before, once pulled out of owned for a decade, WG655 The asking price, $1 below $6m, February in the hands of storage, starring in 1968’s Battle was previously flown by the RN reflects its uniqueness as the Pete Kynsey of Britain movie (‘Red 11’ was Historic Flight at RNAS Yeovilton sole-surviving two-seat Buchón also involved, being used in an from 1976 until 14 July 1990, of only two built. HA1112-M1L Below right: Graham airborne filming role). Peacock’s Spitfire Vc when it was seriously damaged Buchón ‘White 9’ (G-AWHH) Dating from 1942, EE602 is a EE602, which was flown in a forced landing not long after is now listed for sale on Air after restoration at Westland (Yeovil)-built Spitfire take-off. The aircraft was deemed Leasing’s website, as is Spitfire Vc in May 2015, that, equipping Nos 66 and 129 a write-off but its remains EE602 (G-IBSY). Both currently is now for sale at Sywell Squadrons, flew some 100 WWII PHOTO: PETER R MARCH PHOTO: COL POPE COL PHOTO:

62 | Pilot April 2018 | pilotweb.aero Old TImers PHOTO: PAUL FIDDIAN missions. After three-plus years’ minor injuries but the Chinook restoration at the Biggin Hill was a write-off and consequently Heritage Hangar, it flew again in became an RAF Loadmaster May 2015. training aid. It will remain in Hot on Puma HC1 XV208’s an educational role at Newark heels (see ‘Old Timers’, Spring but now for the benefit of edition), came the Newark Air school children, Beavers, Cubs Museum’s very latest addition. and Scouts. Lorry-loaded Chinook HC1 The RAF Red Arrows ZA717’s fuselage was transported announced the retirement of from RAF Cranwell – where it had Hawk T1A XX227 – the last of its been in long-term storage – on 22 founding fleet of Hawks – on 16 February. The entire acquisition February 2018. Built by Hawker process, from purchase, through Siddeley at the Kingston-upon- Chinook HC1 ZA717 – a UK preservation first – became the Newark planning, to arrival, was Thames factory and first flown Air Museum’s latest arrival on 22 February

completed in barely ten days. at Dunsfold in mid-1978, XX227 PHOTO: PETER R MARCH Now positioned alongside the was the 62nd production Hawk. Puma, outside Hangar 1, the Delivered to the RAF on 14 July former No 78 Squadron heavy-lift 1978, it joined the Red Arrows for helicopter is the first Chinook to their first Hawk display season have joined an independent UK on 6 February 1980. Converted aviation museum’s collection. to T1A standard in 1985, it had ZA717 entered Royal Air Force flown 8,077 hours and made service on 23 February 1982 – 13,855 landings during its forty (coincidentally) almost exactly years’ service. ‘Red 1’, Squadron 36 years pre-Newark delivery. On Leader Martin Pert, was at the 25 July 1989, it was written-off controls of XX227 for its final during a post-maintenance test aerobatic flight, before he and flight at RAF Mount Pleasant, other members of the team in the Falklands Islands. Two of signed a farewell message on the The Red Arrows’ last original Hawk (XX227) was retired at its five crew members received aircraft’s side. Scampton on 16 February

Normandy Victory Museum's Thunderbolt gate guardian While Europe’s skies have a flying Thunderbolt inbound, a dummy example has been put on display at Northern France’s recently-opened Normandy Victory Museum. The full-size P-47D stands adjacent to the museum’s outdoor car parking area and is fully visible from the busy N13 Route Nationale leading to Cherbourg that passes beside the museum’s site. Considerable fighting took place in that part of Normandy following the D-Day landings of June 1944, and the museum is dedicated to remembering what is locally called the ‘Battle of the Hedgerows’. The museum’s setting is intrinsically historic, being located on a part of the site of the A-10 Carentan Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), which was used by This near-complete dummy P-47D now stands outside the Normandy Victory Museum the 50th Fighter Group of the US Army Air Forces following the D-Day landings. predominantly metal construction, has Squadron with the fuselage codes 2N-U, The museum itself opened in May 2017, already proved to be a major advertising and appropriately it has full black and on the exact site of the former Normandy coup and has attracted much ‘passing white ‘Invasion Stripes’ around its fuselage Tank Museum, which was also specific to trade’. It is painted in the colours of and wings. the D-Day landings. The Thunderbolt, of the 50th Fighter Group’s 81st Fighter Report and photo: Malcolm V Lowe

If you have an Old Timers story Contact Contributing Editor Peter March [email protected] or Pilot Editor Philip Whiteman [email protected]

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