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Re: Steve Hinton and Failsworth Fireflies - Spencer Flack

Posted by PeterA on Fri Nov 01, 2002 03:53:43 PM

In reply top Re: Steve Hinton and Failsworth Fireflies posted by Ron Henry on Fri Nov 01, 2002 01:14:01 PM

In July 1979 I flew up to Manchester with Spencer Flack to inspect and negotiate on, from memory, half a dozen Griffon 74's from these Firefly sections. These were to be the core engines for both NH904 the 'Red Spitfire' and some of the Indian Spitfires that were coming on stream at that time. Although the induction system was not compatible and the reduction gear ratio different there was enough commonality for them to be used in conjunction and combined with low grade 60 series engines for Spitfire installation. Dave Zeuschal in California was the principal engine builder at that time prepared to undertake Griffon overhaul for these Spitfires. Using these parts and possibly Shackleton or more likely a Griffon 80 series reduction gear set for the contra prop, he created the power unit for the famous Red Baron Griffon Mustang. These were early days for privately owned Griffon Spitfires.
As for the Firefly front ends. The engines were 'gas axed' from the structure at the bearer to save time, taking with them most of the cowlings and power egg. I seem to remember a large pile of discarded bits in Spencer's garden at one time. As for the cockpit sections, the lady owner of the yard was just impossible to negotiate with sensibly and I think she would rather scrap the parts rather then let them go at 'market' price - and they were in the main scrapped. Apart from the Fireflies in the scrapyard the real gems were in an old mill in Manchester(?) along with an equal number of Balliols. I have the photos somewhere. More important at that time was the record breaking Swift, the Brigand and all the Hornet parts, centre setion etc. Ahh!

: : Hi all,
: :
: : During the eighties there were at least four forward fus
: el
: : ages in the famour Failsworth scrap yard in the UK.
: :
: : One of these was obtained by a collector and as far as I
: k
: : now was restored and put on display at the Manchester Ai
: r
: : & Space Museum. I also know that Griffon engines were bo
: ug
: : ht by several American collectors for racing engines.
: :
: : But what happened to the other forward fuselages. Were t
: he
: : se scrapped or also saved for restoration?
: :
: : Any ideas?
: :
: : Cees
:
:
: Steve beat his some of his fellow countrymen to it. He col
: lected some Griffons from there c 1975-77 ..... remember T
: he Red Baron?
:
: Ron

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