Aeronautica

This rotorcraft fell between two stools (or two rotors) - the Westland (Bristol) Belvedere HC.1

 

The Westland Belvedere HC.1, the RAF's first 'heavy-lift' helicopter, had a difficult 'birth' and never really fulfilled its promise.

The last of the true interceptors - the BAC Lightning F.6

The Midland Air Museum, Coventry has preserved an example of the F.6 version of the BAC (formerly, English Electric Co Ltd) Lightning. Even today the aircraft looks 'modern', with its highly swept wings and angular lines. The last of the RAF's interceptors, and a classic jet fighter. Please note that the 'thumbnail' photograph shown here is of a preserved Lightning F.1, on display at the RAF Museum, Cosford, as part of the National Cold War Exhibition.

A vision in silver - the Auster Autocrat

The Auster Autocrat was a most significant, British-built, post-War light aircraft. Indeed, it has been described as 'the epitome of a gentleman's aerial carriage'. Here we see an very early example (1946), still active from the Imperial War Museum's Duxford Airfield.

 

'A ‘bigger bang’ – the 22,000 lb MC ‘Grand Slam’ bomb'

 

The 22,000lb MC, "Grand Slam' bomb shown here, on its custom-built trailer, is on display at Brooklands Museum, site of a former Vickers Ltd facility.

 

 

 

 

A 'fake' Air Force One

Here is the former N485EV, a Boeing 747-212B, at Quonset State Airport, Rhode Island, USA, after being converted to resemble a VC-25A. This 'Presidential aircraft' is now in Washington D.C., being used as an educational tool for schoolchildren.

The Vickers F.B.5 Gunbus, and the first 'fighting squadron', RFC

 

This flying replica of a Vickers F.B.5 'Gunbus' is on display in the Grahame White Factory at the RAF Museum, Hendon, London

How do you build a WW2 icon? Use jigs and fixtures!

 

Jigs bought by The People's Mosquito being unloaded at the works of Retrotec Ltd, from the container which had been shipped 13,000 miles from New Zealand.

 

 

The wing for Mosquito FB.VI, PZ474 (now flying in the U.S.A.) being constructed on the jig which is now with Retrotec Ltd, in the U.K.

 

For more details of The People's Mosquito project, please go to http://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk

To buy branded clothing and a fine selection of other gifts, please go to https://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/store/

To join The People's Mosquito Club, go to https://www.peoplesmosquitoclub.org.uk/

To make a donation, go to http://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/donate/

 

The People's Mosquito is a Registered Charity, No. 1165903

 

Thank you!

 

 

The New York International Air Show, 2019

 

The New York International Air Show, held on the 24-25th August, 2019 at New York Stewart International Airport was an excellent event. I would heartily recommend this show and venue to both families and enthusiasts - get the VIP Pass, if you can! 

 

http://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk

The Vickers Supermarine Walrus - possibly an ugly duckling, but always a stout performer

This Vickers Supermarine Walrus is shown on display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, England

The Avro Ashton - the dawn of jet transport

The Avro Ashton was a research aircraft at the dawn of the age of jet transport; here is the sole survivor.