WIX Archives
Re: Was: Beware parts consolidation
Posted by Bruce Gordon on Tue Nov 20, 2001 11:15:28 AM
In reply top Was: Beware parts consolidation posted by Paul on Tue Nov 20, 2001 06:13:32 AM
I think there is more than one issue here
Paul MIllan raises an interesting point regarding the Hawks/Nimrods. The Hawks with new wings, fuselages and so on, are technically being 'repaired' as there is no budget for new aeroplanes and they will come out the other side as Hawk T1a's again, albeit almost new, and probably having cost more than a new one.... The Nimrods are being reclassified at the same time, although as he rightly says, they retain the original fuselages, so I dunno.
As far as Warbirds go, I think PC is correct in establishing that the centre section should be the major bit. I think we should stick with that, and recognise that aircraft that have come from less, unless they incorporate a lot of the other documented original parts in their make up are replicas. Most Hurricanes would fall into this, and so would some Spitfires and Mustangs.
The other point I would make is that Historic aircraft in museums are being denuded of so called airworthy parts in order to get other examples flying, which I can't support. Where an aircraft can be fully documented as an original aircraft that has gone through the air force, and then placed in the care of a museum, that should be it. I feel that there are a great many airframes being robbed unnecessarily to get others flying, and then leaving static airframes all the poorer.
Where an airframe is built up from a number of wrecks or other parts, then it should be described as just that - a composite. That is what should be ascribed to the Whitley, and indeed to airframes like the YAM Halifax. It still makes it a hell of an undertaking, and I wouldn't want to take that away from any of those doing the work.
Just my humble view!
Bruce