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Re: Tony C, about your visiti to Elvington...

Posted by Dave Sutton on Fri Feb 14, 2003 11:48:11 AM

In reply top Re: Tony C, about your visiti to Elvington... posted by Cees Broere on Fri Feb 14, 2003 09:18:42 AM

They are definitely building an all metal tail plane for the Halifax. It is situated where you describe and I believe they have the plans for this item.

The guy working near it told me that it's as close as they can get but it's not being manufactured using the original techniques as this would be too expensive. I don't know the details but I seem to remember him telling me something about how they used to lay the skin in a jig first and then build the structure up on top of that. It may have been built in two halves but my memory fails me.

The reason it's taken so long is because:

1. They're doing it properly this time - the first tail was mocked up out of wood so the project could be completed on time - the museum was keen to unveil its new flagship for obvious reasons and there was concern that many veterans wouldn't get to see it in all its glory if the project dragged on.

2. It's all volunteer effort with limited funds too I guess.

It may not be obvious but much of the forward fuselage contains painted silver plywood. The rear end was produced by BAe apprentices and I think the original centre section was restored with their help too.

The forward fuselage is a rough approximation built on-site but does not use the correct materials, rivets etc.

The engines were sourced from France and I think they are a later mark. I was told the reduction gearing was removed to reduce the weight since there was concern whether the fuselage could support the full weight - there was some silver wood in the bomb bay. Don't know about the propellers.

The undercarriage box section is a fibreglass casting as far as I remember.

I'm not involved with the project but live nearby and had some limited dealings with Tony Agar and the Mosquito there.

Hope this clears up some questions.

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