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Re: RAF Museum - Hendon

Posted by Tony C on Thu Jan 08, 2004 07:01:28 AM

In reply top Re: RAF Museum - Hendon posted by Cees Broere on Thu Jan 08, 2004 02:25:20 AM

Hi Cees,
As I was taking those images, I was thinking off you (purely in an aviation sense, you understand) and can only echo your sentiments.

I know that this is an old chestnut and has been discussed on this forum before but I really feel that it it time that '1048 was restored to her former glory and such a restoration 'may' help bring the Halifax out of the shadow of the Lancaster.

Not being involved with restoration, I have no real idea of the cost or potential work involved but I would have thought that being displayed as she is, over an extended period of time, more problems/damage to the lower fuselage, which is in contact with the floor, could occur.

I did noticed something which I do not remember having seen before, on the lower starboard side, below the cockpit, it appears that people have tried to pull the skin off the airframe, as there is a small area of skin (about 2 inches long) which appears to have been turned outwards and upwards and with a slight twist to it. As I say, I do not remember seeing this before and maybe it has been like this for some period of time, but....

Also, with the talk of the Valiant being shipped to Cosford, would '1048 have to be moved out of the way, to allow this and is so, why not move her to a Restoration shop for a full rebuild?

As for funding, the Lottery have allocated funds for restoring Vulcan XH558 to flying status (depending on matched funding being forthcoming), have funded the AAM at Duxford and (I think) some of the funds for the new 'Super Hanger', so why not fund the rebuild of this proud workhorse in a similar fashion?

If Trenton can rebuild NA337, why not Hendon and W1048 and does anybody actually know what Hendon's stand is on the Halifax?

As for the Valiant, I was told during my last visit to Cosford, by one of the 'volunteers', that the airframe would not stand being dismantled and while I took this with a pinch of salt, the skin of the Valiant certainly looks tired, but does anybody know, what is the condition of the airframe and would she stand being dismantled and then rebuilt?

Also missing from the Bomber Command Hall was the remains of the Hampden(Hereford), does anybody have any clues where she is and is she under going a rebuild?

Tony

. but I took this to be by (this may be interesting, as I was told by a gentleman at Cosford, that the airframe 'may' not stand being
: Tony,
:
: Thanks for those magnificent photo's of W1048 (and the res
: t of course too). Looking at the condition it shows again
: what a good candidate for restoration it would be. Also lo
: ok at that throttle box, the last time I was there I wante
: d to take it with me, but they wouldn't let me (tongue in
: cheek). Now, if only someone knew where I could find one,
: any offers?
:
: OK, please repeat after me......
:
: RESTORE HER, RESTORE HER, RESTORE HER, RESTORE HER, RESTOR
: E.......................................................
:
: Cees (being handed a straight jacket)

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