BRITANNIA AIRCRAFT PRESERVATION TRUST
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Home needed for Charlie Fox
On the 13th December 2005, the Bristol Aero Collection gave the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust 90 days notice terminating the loan agreement of Bristol Britannia 'Charlie Fox'. In addition, the aircraft has to be removed from the Collection's hangar A1 at Kemble by the 31st December 2005. Under the terms of the loan the Collection is responsible for the redelivery of the aircraft and storage costs during the termination period.
The aircraft has been on loan to the Collection for a considerable time now, and it was always the intention that the aircraft would be a major feature in the proposed Filton Aviation Heritage Centre at Filton. This now looks very unlikely, and the future of Charlie Fox is in doubt.
The Trust is now desperately seeking a new short term temporary home or a long term permanent home for the aircraft, where restoration can commence in earnest in the New Year. The Britannia is currently dismantled, so can be transported by road, without too much trouble.
Any offers of help should be directed to Roger Hargreaves, see the Contacts section for details.
Bristol Aero Collection move
The two Britannias currently with the Bristol Aero Collection at Kemble are scheduled to move before the end of the year. The Collection is moving to another hangar on the airfield, and the nose section of 'RX will move with it. Due to a lack of space, it is expected that 'Charlie Fox' will go into storage for the time being. We are looking for as many people as possible to help prepare Charlie Fox for the move, and the first day for this will be Saturday 3rd December. If you are able to help, please contact Roger Hargreaves.
New website for XM496
Britannia XM496 now has her own website, http://www.xm496.com. Run by the Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society, it will be updated regularly with news and progress reports on the continuing restoration work at Kemble.
XM496 Progress
The Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust has now passed the responsibility for maintenance of Britannia XM496 over to the Bristol Britannia XM496 Preservation Society. The organisation was formerly known as the Bristol Britannia Preservation Society, but is now wholly devoted to one Britannia - XM496. The aircraft was repainted in full RAF colours on the port side in time for the Kemble Air Day in June 2005. At the same time, the internal layout was changed to include several rows of RAF rear-facing seats, and new display boards. For the air day, XM496 was towed to the air show arena by locally based Chevron.
Proteus engines donated
Three Proteus engines have been kindly donated by Rolls-Royce. One engine is fully serviceable, and had been used by Rolls Royce at Hucknall to generate a strong enough breeze in crosswind tests. The other engines are beyond repair, but could be used as a source of spares, or for display purposes. Two of the three engines arrived at Kemble on Saturday 29th January 2005, along with two sets of propellers and a Ground Power Unit, all donated by Rolls Royce. One set of props will go to the Rolls Royce Heritage Trust in Bristol.
The GPU, the u/s Proteus and the runner, and two props - during a quick stop at Strensham Services (Martin Fenner)The No.2 engine on Britannia XM496 has had running problems for some time, and the intention is to replace this engine with the newly acquired serviceable engine. This will then allow all four engines to be started up, and will mean that XM496 can taxi around Kemble airfield under its own steam. The replaced engine can then hopefully be overhauled to act as a spare for the future. There are only five known serviceable Proteus aero engines in the world, and all five are now at Kemble, including the four on XM496.
The diesel-powered 112v/28v DC GPU had been used to start the Proteus at Hucknall, and will be very useful when powering up the engines on XM496 at Kemble. The 'wet-run' in September was managed using a 112v/28v Vernon, but this was difficult to start, and used up £45 worth of fuel itself.
Sentinel Tugmaster
A new item has been added to the Articles section of the website, featuring our Douglas-Sentinel tug. The tug was used by the RAF from the 1950's, and was recently donated to the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust by Kent International Airport, formerly RAF Manston. Click here to read the item.
Latest Whisper Newsletter out now
20/11/04: The Winter 2004 issue of Whisper, the newsletter of the Bristol Britannia Preservation Society is presently being sent out to its members. It includes a number of articles, including a detailed history of Cosfords Britannia, G-AOVF, and several photographs of the work that has taken place on XM496 at Kemble in recent months.
The Winter 2004 issue of Whisper also includes an update from Roger Hargreaves, Chairman of the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust. He highlights the ups and downs of 2004, in particular the lack of progress in the first 6 months, which was turned around in the second half, with progress on undercarriage, painting and engines. This was largely due to the appointment of Martin Fenner as 496 Project Co-ordinator, and John Byrne as Technical Director. Martin works for Rolls-Royce at Derby, and John was based in Zaire operating Britannias for many years, and was the Chief Engineer for Transair Cargo when XM496 flew to Kemble in 1997.
Several companies and organisations, have helped out through the year, in particular - bmi British Midland, who washed XM496; Chevron, who towed 496 across the airfield for the Open Air in September; the Britannia Association, who have funded the purchase of 175 litres of paint; Rolls-Royce, who have donated three spare engines, and other spare parts; Northbrook College, who have fully restored the rear passenger door on XM496 and the main undercarriage doors on G-ANCF, in addition to other items in past years.
For the future, painting XM496 will start when the weather improves, in the spring of 2005. The aircraft will be able to mark the 30th anniversary of the withdrawal of the RAF Britannia fleet (most of which were stored at Kemble) by taking part in the Kemble Air Day on 19th June 2005. This will be either in the static park, a demonstration of running all four engines, or, if all goes according to plan, taxiing down the runway!
XM496 update - Autumn 2004
With the help of Chevron, on 9th September Britannia XM496 was towed the short distance across Kemble Airfield to the Delta Jets ramp, in preparation for the forthcoming open day and fly in on 12th September. This is the first time the aircraft has moved for several years, and required a bit of work in previous weeks to fit new main wheels on the port side, and free up the starboard side. Once moved, three of the Proteus engines were successfully 'wet-run' (where fuel flows through the engine, but is not ignited). The remaining engine, Number 2, is due to be replaced over the winter months. The electric flaps and landing lights were also tested.
XM496 being towed to the Delta Jets pan - photo Martin FennerThe job of repainting of XM496 will soon start at Kemble. The aircraft was thoroughly cleaned in mid-August, and patches were painted to test the colours a couple of days later. The aircraft will be painted in the Royal Air Force colours which it flew in during its military service. This comprises a white topside, grey underside and wings and a blue cheatline with a 'lightning' flash at the front.
Buy books through Amazon.co.uk - and support the Britannia
This website has now become an associate of Amazon.co.uk, which means if you follow the link from the Merchandise page, and buy the selected book, the Britannia Aircraft Preservation Trust receives a percentage towards its costs. Watch out for some more items on the Merchandise page soon, including prints of XM496's low flypast at Kemble - the last flight by a Britannia.
50th Anniversary of G-ALRX force landing
4th February 2004 is the 50th anniversary of the day when the second Britannia prototype G-ALRX flew out from Filton on the demonstration flight, only to end up force-landing on the Severn mudflats following an in flight fire. Read more about the cause, the heroic landing by Bill Pegg, and the subsequent uses for the aircraft -now in the articles section on this website, or click here.
UPDATE 22/03/04: Photograph added of G-ALRX in the Bristol Instructional School.
