Julien Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 The BCWM has now received it's 9th airframe in the form of a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak. The aircraft, 51-7133 was transported to the museum on September 24 and 25th from the RAF Museum at Cosford where the aircraft was in storage for almost 20 years. We are planning on a restoration and then a repaint of the airframe into the colours of an 81st FBW aircraft. We will publish more images of the aircraft soon, but you can read more about this aircraft's history on our website. http://www.bcwm.org.uk/museum-aircraft/ 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smudge Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Cool. Looking forward to seeing that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Is the vertical fin chopped or is that how it came apart? These are neat looking planes, never saw one in person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 The fin is unbolted to get the stab out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Here are a couple photos from my slide scans, of the one that was at Southend in mid 1970s' in Belgian Air Force markings. Could it be the same one?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 Yes its the same aircraft. Has been in storage at Cosford for 25+ years 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnT Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 4 minutes ago, Julien said: Yes its the same aircraft. Has been in storage at Cosford for 25+ years God Lord - that's been on the shelf of doom longer than some of mine then. Julien - what the type of work that's required on her. I assume a paint strip down and repaint but does the airframe need any work and if so what? I just never thought about what went into a restoration before 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 Potted History Constructed as a F-84F. Circa 1952 Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 52-7133. 1955 Taken on Strength/Charge with the Force Arienne Belge with s/n FU-6. To Historic Aircraft Museum, Southend.14 May 1974 To Medway Royal Aeronautical Society, Rochester Airport, Kent. Restored. Markings Applied: 6771 In USAF Thunderbirds colours. March 1990 To Royal Air Force Museum, Cosford, Cosford, Shropshire, England. 2019 To Bentwaters Cold War Museum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted October 1, 2019 Author Share Posted October 1, 2019 8 minutes ago, JohnT said: God Lord - that's been on the shelf of doom longer than some of mine then. Julien - what the type of work that's required on her. I assume a paint strip down and repaint but does the airframe need any work and if so what? I just never thought about what went into a restoration before Yes its been in store for a while. The aircraft has to be assessed, the good thing is that it has been stored inside, but there is some corrosion which will need to be dealt with. Proper survey etc still needs to be done and then we will go from there. Will be repainted as an aircraft from the 81st FBW but which Sqn etc I dont know, trustees make those kind of decisions. Will take a while as we cant start straight away as have other projects as well. Still really good to have this aircraft, and a type which served at Bentwaters. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busnproplinerfan Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, bentwaters81tfw said: The fin is unbolted to get the stab out. ok good, looked like it was hacked off. Probably still a good airframe?aside from some corrosion. Edited October 2, 2019 by busnproplinerfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Mostly solid. Stab will need some re skinning, and a few bits and bobs. Been dry stored for 35 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 just had a thought. It would be good to see its original USAF serial number as opposed to one 'borrowed'from the archives. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scimitar F1 Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 That is brilliant news. It is good to see the type where they were based. They also stood Nuclear alert at Manston in the late ‘50s I understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Gosh, I remember seeing this one parked out in the open at Rochester in summer 1988 in its Thunderbirds colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 Saw it at Rochester (circa 1987?) Maybe go for this scheme? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 It's planned to paint it in 91st sqn colours, as the aircraft of our museum President, Harry Eckes, so it will be blue. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Riot Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 (edited) This museum just looks better and better! Fantastic effort by everyone involved, and I love how the aircraft are being restored in authentic colours too. Was hoping to go this July when we're in Suffolk, is it only Sundays it's open though? Wouldn't BCWM be able to take the Victor? https://www.forces.net/news/johnny-vegas-pulls-out-running-raf-marhams-gate-guardian Edited March 2, 2020 by Lord Riot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted March 2, 2020 Share Posted March 2, 2020 8 hours ago, Lord Riot said: This museum just looks better and better! Fantastic effort by everyone involved, and I love how the aircraft are being restored in authentic colours too. Was hoping to go this July when we're in Suffolk, is it only Sundays it's open though? Wouldn't BCWM be able to take the Victor? https://www.forces.net/news/johnny-vegas-pulls-out-running-raf-marhams-gate-guardian You got a spare quarter million quid for logistics and restoration? Oh, and we would need a hangar and manpower. http://www.bcwm.org.uk/visitor-information/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted March 7, 2020 Author Share Posted March 7, 2020 On 02/03/2020 at 01:43, Lord Riot said: This museum just looks better and better! Fantastic effort by everyone involved, and I love how the aircraft are being restored in authentic colours too. Was hoping to go this July when we're in Suffolk, is it only Sundays it's open though? Wouldn't BCWM be able to take the Victor? https://www.forces.net/news/johnny-vegas-pulls-out-running-raf-marhams-gate-guardian Museum is open 1st and 3rd Sundays of the Month + bank holidays From Easter through to October. As for the getting the Victor, thats a no, too much money, too much work, too little space. Julien 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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