aviation - the past, present and future of flight

North American TF-51D Mustang G-TFSI

made its  rst  ight following reassembly

and repaint by Air Leasing at Sywell,

Northamptonshire, on July 10. The duel-

control  ghter, which was damaged in

a landing accident at Duxford in 2017

while  ying as Miss Velma, now wears

the markings of P-51D Contrary Mary of

the 78th Fighter Group, based at Duxford,

Cambridgeshire, in World War Two.

The recent  rst  ight pilot was Pete Kynsey,

with Dave Evans in the rear seat. Following

a successful air test, the Mustang went on

to give its  rst public display in this stunning

new scheme at Flying Legends, Duxford, the

following weekend. Steve Coe

UK Mustang Makes First Post Overhaul Flight

North American TF-51D Mustang G-TFSI at

Sywell on July 10. Steve Coe

New World War One Museum for Australia

The Australian Vintage Aviation Society

Museum has officially opened in

Caboolture, Queensland. The attraction is

dedicated to the  rst 25 years of aviation

history and focuses primarily on the trainers

and  ghters of the Great War. Its  eet of

airworthy World War One aircraft replicas

includes a Bristol Fighter, a Fokker E.III

Eindecker and a Fokker DR.1 triplane. It is

open Wednesday to Sunday every week,

apart from over the Christmas holidays.

http://www.tavas.com.au

The sole remaining Hawker Typhoon,

Mk.IB MN235, arrived at RAF Coningsby,

Lincolnshire, and on July 26 was displayed

alongside its modern Euro ghter Typhoon

counterpart. The historic aircraft, which

was built in 1944, belongs to the RAF

Museum and was making its  rst public

appearance since returned from a four-

year stay in Canada. Following a BAE

Systems initiative, the Hawker arrived at

the Lincolnshire  ghter station on its way

home to London as part of the RAF100

commemorations. It will be on public

display within the Battle of Britain Memorial

Flight (BBMF) hangar from the  rst week in

August until the end of September.

Gp Capt Mike Baulkwill, RAF Coningsby’s

station commander said: “We are grateful

to both the RAF Museum for lending this

precious aircraft, and BAE Systems for

helping to bring it about. Standing alongside

a modern Typhoon Tranche 3, it is a potent

example of the duties undertaken by the

RAF since 1918, and a reminder that

similar tasks are being carried out by RAF

Typhoons in the Middle East today.”

Alison Ballard, general manager of

BAE Systems at Coningsby said: “We are

delighted to have the Hawker Typhoon

here after a great team effort from across

the station, BBMF, the RAF Museum and

our BAE Systems heritage team. After its

long journey from Canada we have the two

aircraft together, and reaction from everyone

across the station has been great. We are

glad it has been a part of our RAF 100

celebrations and we encourage the public

to visit BBMF where they will be able to see

the aircraft.”

Woking’s Hunter on the Move

Hawker Hunter T.7 XL623 has been

removed from its 33ft (10m) plinth in

Crown Square, Woking town centre, and

moved across Surrey to Dunsfold for

restoration. The 1959-built jet trainer

had become a local landmark since

it arrived in 1996 but was taken down

over July 22-23. The current owner

of the aeroplane, Woking Borough

Council, decided to gift it to the Hawker

Association after being advised to

remove it for health and safety reasons.

Local reports suggest XL623 will remain

in the county after its overhaul but won’t

be returning to its former lofty position.

Cllr Ayesha Azad, Woking Borough

Council’s portfolio holder for asset

management, said: “Our ‘plane on a pole’

has provided Woking’s residents with many

years of joy, as well as visitors with a fair

amount of surprise when they  rst stumble

across it. However, we are aware that

being out in the elements for so long will

have taken its toll on the aeroplane and,

although we were assured that there was

no immediate risk, it was important to act

on health and safety advice given about its

future stability and bring it down before it

suffers too much more wear and tear. Now

it is time to hand the duty of care for the

aeroplane to aviation experts, who will be

able to preserve it for future generations to

enjoy and learn from.”

PRESERVATION

22 Aviation News incorporating Jets September 2018

Hawker Typhoon Arrives at RAF Coningsby

Hawker Typhoon IB MN235 behind a

Euro ghter Typhoon at Coningsby on July 26.

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