FlyPast 03.2018

8 FLYPAST March 2018

NEWS THE LATEST IN AVIATION HERITAGE

Spitfi re progress

revealed at Shuttleworth

open days

The Shuttleworth Collection threw

open its doors on December 29

and 30, welcoming visitors to

its traditional end-of-season

engineering days.

This popular fi xture in the

Old Warden calendar provides

enthusiasts with an aviation ‘fi x’

between Christmas and New

Year, and barrier-free access

to the Bedfordshire collection’s

workshop. Numerous current

projects were on view, with

engineering staff available to

answer any questions.

Not surprisingly, the star

attraction was Supermarine

Spitfi re V AR501, which is nearing

the end of its lengthy in-house

rebuild. For a small fee, visitors

were able to climb into the fi ghter’s

cockpit, and closely examine the

superb restoration work both inside

and out. The Spitfi re will soon begin

taxi trials prior to a long-awaited

post-restoration fl ight later this year.

Alongside the Spitfi re was

temporary resident Bristol Scout

1264, owned by David Bremner. This

World War One-era aircraft has a

fascinating history, having been

reproduced using parts from David’s

grandfather’s original aircraft. David

was present during the event to talk

to visitors about the project.

Further into the workshop hangar

was the Collection’s Avro 504 E

and Tutor K3241. The latter had its

side panels removed, revealing its

internal structure. The 1909-built

Blériot XI was another popular exhibit

• this machine has had its engine
  removed, providing a great view of its
  cockpit area.
  The small workshop to the rear
  of the hangar, normally closed to
  the public, was open to showcase
  the latest work on the attraction’s
  Bristol M1C reproduction. This

unusual aircraft has been receiving

treatment following a heavy

landing last year. The fuselage is

back together but the engine and

wings have yet to be installed.

Elsewhere, Avro C19 Anson G-AHKX

is being prepared for a repaint –

we’ll bring you more details on that

in a future issue.

http://www.shuttleworth.org

DARREN HARBAR

Avro Tutor K3241 with side panels removed. Avro C19 Anson G-AHKX awaiting a repaint.

A close-up view of the Spitfi re’s cockpit.

Supermarine Spitfi re V AR501 (right) with

Bristol Scout 1264 at Old Warden.

ALL DARREN HARBAR