WIX Archives

Mine still does....

Posted by Cees Broere on Fri Jan 24, 2003 09:56:35 AM

In reply top My interest grows.... posted by Tony C on Fri Jan 24, 2003 09:30:14 AM


: What got you interested in producing a cockpit section and
: why the Halifax.

Well, the Halifax has always been a favourite of mine ever since I spotted the Airfix Mk III in 1981 (until then I only knew the Lanc and Stirling). The history as well as all possible means to deny its existence (A.T. Harris started with) attracted me like a magnet and is still increasing. I have been collecting all sorts of parts since about 2 1/2 years after I picked up a P II compass and thought about assembling an instrument panel, the project just grew from there, especially after I got in contact with Ian Foster of 57Rescue 2 years ago and this has resulted in a mutual cooperation with anythign to do with the Halifax.

The "dirty" part as you would call it is inmeasurable becaue sometimes you pick up a part for free, swop it with something you don't need or pay a high price for it. My project is purely on a budget but you should be surprise what can be done (remember the private Hurricane project as reported several times in FP).

Apart from digs, were do you find the bits and pieces.

Everywhere, from aerojumbles in Holland (and there are not many, only two a year, some militaria jumbles) but mostly through national and international contacts (WIX, grapevine etc.)

It is planned to display the finished article in our museum which is located some twenty mile to the north of Amsterdam. Space is always a problem that is why I abandoned the navigator and wireless position.

What will you do with the project when completed.

Keep it, and improve it after more original parts become available (hopefully). At the moment I am concentrating on the interior fittings, instruments, etc. I already have all drawings needed for the frames, stringers, cockpit canopy etc. The most enjoyable thing is that information I pick up is useful for other people pursuing similar projects. I managed to find some drawings Trenton needed, so it is fun to know that others can benefit as well.

For such a project, you just have to start somewhere, but that is purely personal where to start. That is what makes it so interesting. For further info about cockpits or instrument panels have a look at the website of the Internation Cockpit Club.

As for the mainspar of the Lanc, I believe that without it
: , the airframe would not have been able to have carried t
: he sort of weights that she eventually did, allowing her t
: o become without doubt, the "Bomber" of the campaign, beat
: ing ALL the others (now sitting on my flak helmet) includi
: ng the B29 which IIRC only got to 20,000lb.


Don't know about that other than the fuselage of the Lanc is shallower than the Stirling or Halifax, the Lanc was designed purely as a bomber whereas the Halifax was designed as an alrounder.

I would not want to be in front of the spar and not be able to use the emergency exi

That's history, and the statistics show that a Lanc crewmember had the least chance to survice a bail out.

Cees

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