WARBIRDSWARBIRDS HANGAR 11 COLLECTION HANGAR 11 COLLECTION
he sighs. “The post-Shoreham
world with new CAA regulations
and a rapid diminution in the
number of shows have all led me
to re-evaluate my plans. It seems
good to quit while I’m ahead. I also
must consider my long-suffering
family who have supported me so
stoically over the years, especially
my wonderful wife Karen who ran
the family ship while I was away all
those weekends flying.
“So, in 2016 I put the Hurricane
and P-40 up for sale, as I somewhat
reluctantly looked towards the
future and the need to cut back on
display flying. At the time I also
knew that if I were to pursue the
completion of my Russian Spitfire
I’d require a bit more space in
the hangar. Warbirds rarely sell
overnight, but in mid-2017 a buyer
from the US came forward for the
Curtiss. I sadly flew the aircraft
for the very last time on June 20
to Sywell, for dismantling and
shipping to her new home in theStates, close to where she was found
in the 1980s.
“Early in 2018 the Hawker
Hurricane also sold, and has
returned to Hawker Restorations,
the company that originally
restored her. Their departure does
signal a new era for the Hangar
11 Collection and of course a sad
parting after all these years.”
With more space and financial
resources available, Peter can now
progress his Spitfire Mk.IX project.
Eventually we will see PT879 take
to British skies wearing its Russian
red star markings, a striking look
for a Spitfire. The fuselage has
already been restored by Airframe
Assemblies on the Isle of Wight and
was delivered to North Weald in
June 2014. It has subsequently been
painted by Vintage Fabrics. The
next stage will be to have it fitted
out with systems and controls,
while also beginning restoration
work on the wings.
More than 500 original parts
have already been incorporated
into the fuselage, and the wings
will also be as original as possible,
using numerous core components,
including tips and flaps. The
aircraft will have a full complement
of deactivated guns and cannon,
and will resemble as closely as
possible the fighter delivered to the
2nd Squadron, 767th Regiment,
122nd Division of the Russian Air
Force during the war.
Peter’s passion for authenticity
has resulted in some of the most
original warbirds gracing our skiestoday. It’s a fine legacy and is also
testament to his enthusiasm
and knowledge.
“Sure, I am upset,” he said, when
asked how he felt about selling his
prized possessions. “Who wouldn’t
be after being so closely involved
with their restoration and operation
for all these years? However, I’ve
had an amazing time, having
flown all over Europe. We’ve taken
on film jobs in Eastern Europe,
documentaries for TV, weddings
and funerals, corporate events and
shows, plus so many more fantastic
air displays, meeting wonderful
folks and enthusiasts along the way.
“But running these aircraft is
very intensive at this level. Frankly,
I was hurting financially and
most importantly, family life was
being compromised. That was
not acceptable, especially with
grandchildren now on the scene. It
was a very hard decision to make,
but it was time to make some
changes and I did that. Do I regret
any of it? Not at all. Do I miss the
aircraft? Sure.
“But don’t forget we’re now
moving full steam ahead, bringing
our unique Spitfire Mk.IX G-PTIX
back to life. Also, I do still currently
have two wonderful warbirds to fly
[the Spitfire PR.XI and Mustang]
and while I may have retired from
the show circuit, I reserve the
option to fly a few selected displays
at locations that I really enjoy,
or for folks I really like. As a life
experience... wow, this is never to
be bettered in aviation.”Above
Peter’s Hurricane arriving
at Hawker Restorations
early in 2018, to begin
new ownership.Below
Operating at high altitude
against blue skies was
commonplace for the PR
Spitfi re’s recce missions
of World War Two, and
Peter has worked hard to
restore PL965 with great
authenticity.“It’s been a fantastic journey, but all good
things come to an end”56 FLYPAST November 2018