The restoration of the RAAF Hawker Demon at the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre (QLD), Caboolture continues and Warbirds Online recently visited to take in the recent progress on this impressive rebuild for its owner Jack McDonald.
The aircraft is now mounted on a trolley to facilitate movement about the hangar and allow easy access to the structure as it is rebuilt. The fuselage has also seen the addition of many internal components and fittings whilst work is about to commence on the manufacture and fitting of the timber ribs on the fuselage which hold the stringers in place which in turn form the structure upon which the fabric covering is fitted. A set of templates exist from which to manufacture there wooden frames so the work should progress quickly on this aspect of the restoration. Meanwhile the multitude of additional internal fittings are being located and refurbished so as to allow for the full fit out of the fuselage.
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- Fuselage frame
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- Fin & rudder frame
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- Forward fuselage
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- RAAF Hawker Demon
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- Completed fuselage structure
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- Completed fuselage structure
The aircrafts fin and rudder are now largely complete and the metal fairings around the rear of fuselage have been located and are being readied for fitting. It is planned to trial fit the Rolls Royce Kestrel engine soon but this is dependent on progress on the rest of the fuselage.
Work on the Hawker Demon is contingent on other work on other aircraft in the collection being worked on but it is progressing quite well. AAHC (QLD) supported by a number of volunteers is about to travel to Oakey and dismantle its new acquisition, DHC4 Caribou A4-228 which will take place over June so there will be a short interval in work on the Demon whilst this recovery takes place but activity should resume apace in July.
Warbirds Online will continue to provide updates on this historic restoration as it happens. Follow our link to read more about the restoration of the Hawker Demon.
© John Parker 2016