Beaufighter

[Dr Jekyll]

Most enthusiasts will be aware of the attempt at Duxford to restore a Beaufighter to flight, shelved some years ago due to lack of engines.

According to Warbirds online, Historical Aircraft Engines in Brisbane have decided they can and will restore some Bristol Hercules engines suitable for a Beaufighter, and their plans include 'two engines for a European project'.

These things have a habit of being very protracted, but at least there is some hope.

[dr_gn]

The rebuild of the Blenheim seemed to go on forever, yet these days it seems like an old favourite at Flying Legends. Let’s hope the Beaufighter gets moving again soon.

[Eric Mc]

It would be great to see a Beau in running order again - one of my favourite WW2 aircraft.

[aeropilot]

Dr Jekyll said:

Most enthusiasts will be aware of the attempt at Duxford to restore a Beaufighter to flight, shelved some years ago due to lack of engines.

According to Warbirds online, Historical Aircraft Engines in Brisbane have decided they can and will restore some Bristol Hercules engines suitable for a Beaufighter, and their plans include 'two engines for a European project'.

There's still been no comment on this from Pete R, so it remains to be seen what will happen.

There was a deal to sell the TFC Beau some years ago (around the same time that the Skysport Beaufighter project was sold to a new owner in Australia, and *IF* the engine issue is resolved, I would think TFC will either try and sell again on basis there is a solution for new owner, or finish it themselves to be able to sell it. That will depend on whether this Aussie based fix is CAA compliant, as if not, you won't be seeing it in UK skies sadly.
25 years ago, this was the one project I was so looking forward to seeing flying, but I suspect I never will, well, not in the flesh so to speak.

[Eric Mc]

The MkII Beaufighter had Merlins. Would that be a more feasible restoration project?

[aeropilot]

Eric Mc said:

The MkII Beaufighter had Merlins. Would that be a more feasible restoration project?

I seem to recall many years ago Pete R answering this question when posted elsewhere, but I don't have time to search through either WIX or FP forums going back 10 years to find the answer, but there was a valid technical reason why this wasn't an option either, but I can't remember what it was.