Beaufighters

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:16 am

1969read wrote:

It has been said before and yes its over old ground aircaft sould be painted in there real colours, looking out not looking in as they say Jason
Hello Keith its been a while Jason Read
readsigns@bigpond.com

I usually agree with that, but I am not sure of the history of this airframe. Also consider that it is the National Museum, and they wanted to honor the Americans that flew them. Also they honored a member, and volunteer at the musem by painting it as his aircraft. I think this is a fitting tribute, but once again I don't know what the story is with the beaufighter's war record.

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:37 am

mustangdriver wrote:

1969read wrote:

It has been said before and yes its over old ground aircaft sould be painted in there real colours, looking out not looking in as they say Jason
Hello Keith its been a while Jason Read
readsigns@bigpond.com

I usually agree with that, but I am not sure of the history of this airframe. Also consider that it is the National Museum, and they wanted to honor the Americans that flew them. Also they honored a member, and volunteer at the musem by painting it as his aircraft. I think this is a fitting tribute, but once again I don't know what the story is with the beaufighter's war record.

It's been discussed a couple of times here, IIRC.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=9319

DaveM2 wrote:

The Beaufighter is a composite* restoration based on T5049 ( RAAF A19-43) the hulk of which was recovered by Moorabbin Aircraft Museum, Melbourne in 1971.
Beaufighter Mk.Ic RAAF A19-43 flew 38 missions with No.31 Squadron of the RAAF at Coomalie Creek near Darwin on the northern coast of Australia from 20 June 43 to 12 March 44. These missions included 20 convoy escorts, 10 strike missions, 1 aborted mission, 3 search missions and 4 training.

Check the thread for an interesting discussion, including if it's a *composite. Incidentally, has it been 'finished' yet? Missing control surfaces, missing engine parts (visible through the cowl front) does not do the museum's display credit, IMHO.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:59 am

The reason it was put out there early was that it was pretty much done with the exception of those pieces. Signs do tell visitors that the aircraft is underrestoration. Also room was needed for the Memphis Belle restoration. I think it was a good move. More and more of it is complete. I seem to remember that the lastt ime I was there that the control surfaces were on it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think the thing looks great, and prefer to tell the story of the lesser known Americans that flew these machines as well. You have to remember that the main goal of the museu, is to tell the story of the USAF. You wouldn't walk into the the Naval Aviation museum and ask why all of the aircraft have tail hooks.

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:19 am

mustangdriver wrote:

The reason it was put out there early was that it was pretty much done with the exception of those pieces. Signs do tell visitors that the aircraft is underrestoration. Also room was needed for the Memphis Belle restoration. I think it was a good move. More and more of it is complete. I seem to remember that the lastt ime I was there that the control surfaces were on it.

Thanks for the clarification, good to hear, and your points are very valid.

mustangdriver wrote:

You have to remember that the main goal of the museu, is to tell the story of the USAF. You wouldn't walk into the the Naval Aviation museum and ask why all of the aircraft have tail hooks.

They don't. There's a Cessna 0-1 Birddog with carrier time, and a non USN history, and a number of other aircraft related, but I take your point. After all, with such a short history, the USAF needs all the pre-USAF aircraft it can get.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:53 am

Speaking of Beaus, does anyone know the history of this particular bird? I saw her in the storage hanagar at the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa a couple of weeks ago. The tour guide didn't know much, and the msuem's website says it's a collection of parts left over from an RAF restoration. It appears to have the canopy and control surfaces replaced with sheet metal, and looks like it was on outdoor display.

SN

Keith Gaff · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:29 pm

Gentlemen,

As the person who originally set up the disposal deal for Beaufighter A19-43 I don't care what colours the aircraft is finished in as long as the old girl is restored and looked after. If I can find a picture of what the aircraft looked like when we had her at Moorabbin I'll post it and you will see what I mean.

As for the black Beaufighter in Canada; this machine was found on the island of Malta back in the 1960's and transported to England where it was completely restored for the then proposed RAF Museum. When the RAF also received a Portugese TF 10 Beaufighter they removed the engines and props off the black machine and placed them on the TF10 and restored it for the RAF Museum and this machine is on display at Hendon to this day. The now incomplete black Beaufighter was then swapped to the Canadian National Collection at Rockcliffe some 20 or more years ago for, I think, a Blenheim. It's nice to see the beast is now under cover.

DaveM2 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:47 pm

Keith

Check your PMs

Dave

Keith Gaff · **Posted:** Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:08 am

Just to give you some idea of the job that faced the USAF Museum; attached is a photograph of their Beaufighter when it was in the possession of the Moorabbin Air Museum. The aircraft had been recovered from a farm and had suffered from years of exposure to the elements. The wings and centre section were even worse. As I said before it's nice to see the old girl restored and cared for.
[img][img]http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z208/kgaff_2007/Bristol156BeaufighterFuse080571MAMC.jpg[/img][/img]

Photo credit; The Australian Aircraft Restoration Group

ZuluEcho · **Joined:** Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:03 am **Posts:** 115

Wow!! that must have been an uphill task! thanks for the pic Keith

Keith Gaff · **Posted:** Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:40 am

I thought this little piece of Beaufighter exotica might be of interest. This Mk1c was captured by the Vichy French when it landed by mistake in Casablanca sometime in 1941 I think.

It was abviously flown but what use the French put the aircraft to is unknown.

Keith Gaff · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:02 pm

This is the beaufighter now in the possession of the Canadian National Collection. The aircraft was photographed at the RAF Abington Open Day in 1968.

JDK · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:33 pm

Keith Gaff wrote:

This is the beaufighter now in the possession of the Canadian National Collection. The aircraft was photographed at the RAF Abington Open Day in 1968.

Well, some if it went to Canada.

What the Canadians got had no engines and was partly gutted - in exchange for a complete Bolingbroke sent to the RAF Museum. I understand the Canadian National Aeronautical Collection expected a complete Beau.

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