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makes of ww2 british planes that not even 1 remains

Discussion in 'WWII General' started by hatch, Nov 9, 2003.

  1. hatch

    hatch Member

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    hoppy posted on the dambusters lancs thread about possibly not even 1 stirling remains in existance .
    how many other british complete WW2 aircraft are completely extinct ????????
     
  2. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    Most of the weird Fleet Air Arm aircraft, for a start.... ;) plus oddities such as the Blackburn Botha.

    But among the 'important' ones, the Handley Page Hampden, Halifax, and AW Whitley immediately come to mind. For sure, there are either replicas or salvage rebuilds in progress with all of these, but complete examples - no [​IMG] .
     
  3. hatch

    hatch Member

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    is there a BP defiant still in existence ???? . i believe they were not very effective planes , at least as day fighters but i always thought they looked the part with the turret behind the cockpit
     
  4. Hoppy

    Hoppy Member

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    Theres a Defiant at Hendon. Its in the Black night fighter colours.
     
  5. Hoppy

    Hoppy Member

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    Martin is quite correct. As sad as it is, it would be far quicker to list the aircraft that survived, than those which have been scrapped.
    Of all the heavy bombers, only the Lancaster is airworthy. The Wellingtons and halifaxes are only static examples (most of which are incomplete)
     
  6. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Hi,
    A couple of years back, the last surviving Blenheim flew over my home city to honour its designer, who was also born there.
    Regards,
    Gordon
     
  7. Hoppy

    Hoppy Member

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    ...and then crashed. However, the rebuilding of the Blenheim is well under way.
     
  8. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    so I believe!
     
  9. TA152

    TA152 Ace

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    Even today, I do not see the British government making a large effort to preserve it's historic aircraft. Of the V Bombers, I do not think any Valiants are left and I have not read of any preservation projects for the Victor Bomber. A few of the mighty Vulcans are being saved. I have not read much on saving the Avro follow up on the Lancaster and nothing on saving Bucceneers or early Harriers. I can't remember how much of the great TSR-2 was saved, but it was not a whole aircraft. Also I have not seen any of the "rasberry ripple colored " aircraft of the test squadrons of the 70's and 80's being saved from the scrap heap. [​IMG]
     
  10. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    You need to get over here and have a look around the museums Ta - you'd be surprised !

    Harriers and Buccaneers ( plus prototypes ) can be seen at Cosford, Duxford and Hendon and as for the elusive TSR-2 the following complete examples of this rare bird can be seen at :

    XR220 - Cosford
    XR222 - Duxford

    There's a 'raspberry ripple' Hunter by the entrance of RAF Halton, etc etc....
     
  11. TA152

    TA152 Ace

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    Good morning Martin ! I am glad to see some of the TSR's are still around. That was a great bird.

    How about the Valient ?

    Are there any Short Sunderlands left ? Or a Supermarine Walerus ?

    I am planning to retire in April and the UK is on my " to do " list !!!! :D
     
  12. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    There's a Valiant at Hendon, Sunderlands at Hendon and Duxford, Walruses at The FAA Museum, Yeovil and Hendon.... :D
     
  13. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Hi,
    As I remember, the Museum of Flight at East Fortune, Scotland, has quite a few rare types. Can't remember which ones, though either a Vulcan or a Canberra springs to mind. Place is run by the Museum of Scotland these days.
    Just remembered-they've got an ME 163 Komet.
    Regards,
    Gordon

    [ 10. November 2003, 04:41 AM: Message edited by: The_Historian ]
     
  14. BratwurstDimSum

    BratwurstDimSum Member

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    ??? !!! When did this happen? :eek: I got heaps of great closeup pics of a Flying Blenheim at the Duxford airshow 2 years ago... :eek:
     
  15. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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    The Blenheim suffered an engine failure on approach to Duxford and belly-landed 18th August.

    No-one was hurt and skilful flying meant that damage was minimised- even so, we probably won't see it flying again until the 2005 season... :(
     
  16. Hoppy

    Hoppy Member

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    Back in the early eighties when the Blenheim was first rebuilt, it crashed not long after its first few airshows.
    The second time was as Martin has mentioned, in August.
    TA, read the thread 'Guy Gibsons Lancaster' on this forum. I gave a brief description of how the Valient was saved.
    Martin also tells of how the Prototype Mosquito evaded being turned into the contents of an ashtray !!! ;)
     
  17. hatch

    hatch Member

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    i remember seeing the TSR-2 at duxford a couple of years ago . it was looking a bit sad sitting outside next to a HE-111 . have they put it indoors yet ???????
     
  18. Martin Bull

    Martin Bull Acting Wg. Cdr

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  19. hatch

    hatch Member

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    ahhhhhhh a quick lick of paint and in the warm...........sorted.
     
  20. Hoppy

    Hoppy Member

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    The 'HE-111' is actually a Spanish built CASSA.
    Not being pedantic, just thought you might want to know !! ;)
    Duxford is a great place to go, especially when theres a few aircraft flying, it all adds to the magic !!
     

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