Duxford Beaufighter
Discussion
aeropilot said:
Yes, lack of suitable props anywhere.
The lack of suitable props and engines have been the only major issues regarding the lack of progress in recent years.
No other reasons.
Is money the problem then? Surely someone can knock up some new props. When I was at BBMF (admittedly 40 years ago The lack of suitable props and engines have been the only major issues regarding the lack of progress in recent years.
No other reasons.
)they'd just taken delivery of a brand new prop for a Spitfire.There are a few restored Beaufighters sitting in museums around the world - including one in the RAF Museum at Hendon, literally a few miles down the M11 from Duxford - so getting original props, even if only to use as a pattern, should not be an issue.
Underlying the whole situation is most likely a lack of funds - and perhaps a lack of drive.
Underlying the whole situation is most likely a lack of funds - and perhaps a lack of drive.
Eric Mc said:
They certainly don't push the project the way the Typhoon and "Peoples' Mosquito" project guys are pushing theirs. For example,both of those concerns had stalls at "Flying Legends" promoting their cause and trying to raise funds. I've never seen anything like that regarding the Beaufighter project.
Because TFC have never operated like that during the past almost 40 years, as TFC funding comes from SG, as well as a multi fleet operation, (like Jerry Yagen, Rod Lewis, Freidkin Family, Kermit Weeks etc) not a 'sole project' competing for public donations as per your examples.Eric Mc said:
There are a few restored Beaufighters sitting in museums around the world - including one in the RAF Museum at Hendon, literally a few miles down the M11 from Duxford - so getting original props, even if only to use as a pattern, should not be an issue.
3 complete in National museums, only ONE in a private museum, and if you think the RAFM/Dayton or Aussie National will happily dismantle a public exhibit and loan prop hubs for pattern making then I'm not sure you quite understand the subject.There are also issues with certification as well, as well as economies of scale, the relatively recent Spit Mk1 prop hub units that were done was only just financially viable because there were half a dozen or more possible customers given the 'production' line of Mk1's undergoing recreation, so sharing costs around various owners etc.
With only one or now possibly two airworthy Beau projects, its not quite so simple.
Given what TFC have achieved in the past 40 years (now over 100 vintage aircraft have been owned by TFC in total in that time), its only technical issues and lack of parts that have contributed to the Fiat CR-42 and Beaufighter taking so long to get this far.
aeropilot said:
3 complete in National museums, only ONE in a private museum, and if you think the RAFM/Dayton or Aussie National will happily dismantle a public exhibit and loan prop hubs for pattern making then I'm not sure you quite understand the subject.
There are also issues with certification as well, as well as economies of scale, the relatively recent Spit Mk1 prop hub units that were done was only just financially viable because there were half a dozen or more possible customers given the 'production' line of Mk1's undergoing recreation, so sharing costs around various owners etc.
With only one or now possibly two airworthy Beau projects, its not quite so simple.
Given what TFC have achieved in the past 40 years (now over 100 vintage aircraft have been owned by TFC in total in that time), its only technical issues and lack of parts that have contributed to the Fiat CR-42 and Beaufighter taking so long to get this far.
Well, even if the national museums are unwilling to help (funilly enough, sometimes they are), what's wrong with the private one helping?There are also issues with certification as well, as well as economies of scale, the relatively recent Spit Mk1 prop hub units that were done was only just financially viable because there were half a dozen or more possible customers given the 'production' line of Mk1's undergoing recreation, so sharing costs around various owners etc.
With only one or now possibly two airworthy Beau projects, its not quite so simple.
Given what TFC have achieved in the past 40 years (now over 100 vintage aircraft have been owned by TFC in total in that time), its only technical issues and lack of parts that have contributed to the Fiat CR-42 and Beaufighter taking so long to get this far.
What are the chances that the Beau will EVER be finished then?
Sounds like slim to none.
They might as well donate it to a museum who can restore it to good static condition and put it on display properly somewhere. The new museum in Bristol might be a good location for it.
Yertis said:
Eric Mc said:
The new museum in Bristol
Is there one? I've not heard about that and I live there.http://aerospacebristol.org/
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