Whirlwind Build latest

Read the forum code of contact

Member for

14 years 5 months

Posts: 3,447

Just a line to let anyone here who remembers the Whirlwind Fighter Project know how we are getting on - and of course to point you at the funding page!

The cockpit (and nose) is complete apart from skinning, with Pete Smith producing some almost miraculous new parts including a working reflector gunsight from scratch. Everything is 100% accurate and as per our initial aim ten years ago 'indistinguishable from an aircraft in squadron service' in 1943 - specifically P7056, 'Pride of Yeovil' of 263 Squadron. We have the fuselage skins as rolled on an original 1941 press saved from Westland by Airframe Assemblies, and the next two years will be focussed on this and the tail. As they are completed sections will be put on display at the Kent Battle of Britain museum, Hawkinge.

 No photo description available.No photo description available.May be an image of aircraftNo photo description available.No photo description available.May be an image of brick wallNo photo description available.

 

We are a membership organisation and are funded entirely by donations.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merlinai57

GoFundMe: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/whirlwiindfighterproject

 

Original post

Member for

14 years 5 months

Posts: 3,447

Wow, this forum IS quiet these days!

 

Member for

16 years 3 months

Posts: 1,668

Glaciers move faster than posts on here!  

 

Excellent progress on the Whirlwind,

Member for

11 years 8 months

Posts: 1,354

Very nice work on the windscreen, with what looks like a newly formed canopy. A lot of work ! 

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 1,951

Indeed Beermat

Fantastic progress

John

Member for

19 years 1 month

Posts: 6,043

Many thanks for the update Matt - looking absolutely wonderful :)

Member for

14 years 5 months

Posts: 3,447

Thanks chaps!

P&P, getting that canopy formed was a serious challenge - it's an enormous piece and wouldn't fit in any single oven! It took some clever manouvering on the part of the plastics company to do it in one but that was how we wanted it. The WW was the first production aircraft with a bubble canopy and it was important to get it right. When it goes on show we plan for the canopy to be open and the 100% kitted-out cockpit visible via access. We are thinking about running 12v through the aircraft to light up internal and external lamps and the gunsight, making it more 'live'. What do people think - is that too gimmicky or not?

Member for

11 years 8 months

Posts: 1,354

Team WW have done a stunning job on the canopy and the other substantial structure work. I would light it up, not gimmicky at all. Keep up the superb work. Have a beer every once in a while too, I am sure the original workers did ! 

Profile picture for user Zac Yates

Member for

15 years 9 months

Posts: 1,306

Another vote here for lighting up!

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,183

Another vote for lighting it here - the kids will love it, and that's the next generation hooked!

Member for

14 years 5 months

Posts: 3,447

Thanks all! I'll let the team know that this is a popular idea, and we'll do it.

Member for

4 years 5 months

Posts: 716

light it up, it brings it to life and gives it another dimension.

 

TA out