1930 Blake Bluetit

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Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 1,405

I see that in the lastest LAA magazine that the Blake Bluetit is up for sale. www.blakebluetit.com

Dave

Original post

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

Can anyone provide a little more history about the Blue Tit? I understand that, after being blown onto its back in 1930, it was stored, dismantled, in a barn until 1968, when it was given to/bought by/? the Shuttleworth Trust, which disposed of it, some years ago, and since that time it has been stored in a shipping container at North Weald. Never originally have aspired to UK civil registration, at some time recently it became G-BXIY. Did the Shuttleworth Trust restore it to flying or static condition? Has it flown since passing into private ownership? Assuming that it has not felt the wind under its wings in the last 80 years, one has to hope that it will find a sympathetic and well heeled custodian for its future years and that it will continue to reside in the UK - unless, of course, someone in France decides to acquire it!

I've just had a horrible thought. I hope that no-one buys it with a view to breaking it and, from its constituent parts, "restoring" two Simmonds Spartans and an Avro 504K!

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 8,847

Nice story, looks like a Currie-Wot with one wing.

Surely producing three planes from one plane would be a plus? :diablo:

Member for

16 years 6 months

Posts: 1,327

The Blue Tit was a resident of the famous Shuttleworth barn and it never got to the front of the queue for any restoration work. As far as I remember Shuttleworth only ever had the fuselage and possibly the tail unit. I think the wing had disappeared at some point before it went to Old Warden but if another forum member can confirm or disprove this and perhaps add some more info then that would be great.
I must admit I hadn't realised that Shuttleworth had ever parted with the Blue Tit. I presume it was one of the casualties along with their original Provost and the Percival Gull when the collection fell on particularly hard times in the 80's /90's.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 8,464

The whole aircraft was kept by Shuttleworth, who passed it to its current owner.

He in turn restored the fuselage to airworthy condition, but as far as I can tell, has done no work on the wing.

Bruce

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16 years 7 months

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Anyone know how long it's been on the market and what price is being sought for it?

Member for

16 years 6 months

Posts: 1,327

Thanks Bruce. It seems a shame that Shuttleworth ever parted with the Blue Tit as it fits in well with the other inter war types. Just one thought though.
How would you obtain a C of A for it now as there are no plans, no stress calculations and I don't doubt there are many other bits of paperwork that the CAA would normally require even if it were put under the umbrella of the LAA. I assume it would be possible to obtain a C of A but I should think it would be very expensive for a one off like this.
Had it remained a Shuttleworth aeroplane I assume that the C of A may have been less of a problem as I gained the impression that the CAA are a lot more helpful with types that will only operate within the circuit at Old Warden or have I got this wrong.

Member for

17 years 6 months

Posts: 1,433

The Blake Bluetit was about as clear an example of an amateur homebuilt as you could ever imagine. What flying it did in 1931 was done without the aid of any certification, registration or any other paperwork!

I understand that the current owner has registered the project with the Light Aircraft Association and will have retrospectively provided the engineering information which would be needed for a project today.

I know those at Old Warden would be better equipped to comment, but I am pretty sure that the CAA has no 'special rules' regarding Shuttleworth aeroplanes. It is notable that some Shuttleworth edwardians have recently switched from CAA to LAA-administered permits to fly.

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 5,927

I understand that the Blake Blue Tit G-BXIY is being restored in Herefordshire. The most recent photograph that I can find - which seems to date from 2018 - suggests that at that time the work was well advanced with the flying surfaces waiting to be recovered. Does anyone know who is restoring the aeroplane and what stage has been reached in its restoration?

Addendum: the aeroplane currently is registered to Martin Aubrey at an address near Kington, Herefordshire, which I presume to be the answer to my first question!