Warbirds Online visited Albion Park, NSW to view the progress on the Warbird restorations being carried out by Historical Aircraft Restorations Limited, located within the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society’s (HARS) facility by Robert Grienert and the team. We recently reported on the work on a Curtiss P40E and 3 Lockheed P-38 Lightning aircraft, however, there is a lot of other restoration work taking place in this Aladdin’s cave of Warbird restorations.
Since our last report several of the Beaufighter nose sections have been completed and moved to new homes. However, at the time of our visit there were two nose sections being worked on including Mk. 1f Ex X7688 RAF, a part of the cache of Beaufighter parts Robert purchased from Skysport Engineering in the UK. This nose section was in excellent condition and is now being restored and will be fitted to the HARS Beaufighter airworthy project. The work done on this nose is magnificent. Roberts’ team have completed 4 other nose sections so they are well versed and experienced in this aspect of the “Beau’. The other nose section being completed during our visit is for the Darwin Aviation Museum (formerly known as Australian Aviation Heritage Centre) and is from an Australian produced Beaufighter whose serial is currently unknown. The Darwin nose is to be displayed in their Museum and will be a real centre piece given the types extensive service in the Northern Territory. Both the nose sections are being fitted out with complete and accurate interiors from their time in service including all instruments and controls.
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- Beaufighter Mk 1f Ex X7688 RAF
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- Bristol Beaufighter nose cockpit for HARS
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- Bristol Beaufighter parts
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- Beaufighter centre section awaiting rebuild
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- Beaufighter nose cockpit restoration
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- Beaufighter nose cockpit for Darwin Museum
Work on the P-47 Republic Thunderbolt project has slowed at present, but given the accelerated pace of other work it will pick up again when the queue in the workshop clears.
HARS CAC Wirraway Ex RAAF A20-99 is making considerable progress. Now back in the Historical Aircraft Restorations Limited workshop she is well on the way to its first flight. Since July when it was in one of the other HARS hangars the aircraft has moved back into the workshop and has had extensive work carried out, including the fitting of the firewall, engine and prop. All of the removable fuselage panels have been taken off the aircraft which allows for access to refit and complete electrical, hydraulic and other systems as well as other maintenance. Work on the Wirraway will now continue apace to the flying stage to enable this Australian built Fighter/Bomber and Trainer to join the HARS flying fleet which hopefully won’t be too long. A20-99 is now finished in a Brown (Dark Earth) and Green (Foliage Green) camouflage scheme similar to that in which it would have been delivered. The rest of the scheme will feature Sky Blue under surfaces, Yellow cowling and Light Grey codes and serials typical of training aircraft of the time. For more on the Wirraways service history and restoration refer to our previous news article on CAC Wirraway A20-99
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- CAC Wirraway Ex RAAF A20-99
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- Wirraway A20-99 nearing completion to flight
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- A20-99 restoration to flight
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- Bristol Hercules awaiting overhaul
The long-term HARS resident, North American T6/Harvard Mk IV, finished as Luftwaffe Mk IV tail number 52-8569, has been under restoration to flying condition for some years but has now been sold by her owner. Roberts’ team is in the process of dismantling the immaculate aircraft for a new owner in the USA. Many other smaller items and parts were being worked on in the workshop for in house projects and external customers and the amount of work being undertaken by a relatively small workforce is exceptional.
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- North American T6 Harvard Mk-IV
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- Allison engine for P38 Lightning
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- Thunderbolt restorations in workshop
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- P47 Thunderbolt restoration
Warbirds Online is grateful to Robert Grienert and his team for taking the time to show us around his world class Warbird restoration facility. Robert and the company can be contacted at any time to discuss Warbird restoration opportunities at thunderbolts@bigpond.com.
© John Parker 2017
Hello, My name is Kevin Winters and I live in Goulburn, NSW.
I was watching some presentation videos on U Tube this morning and saw a Bristol Beaufighter restoration project of VHK-TW. Does any one know the outcome of the finished restoration? Is the aircraft flying? Where is it located these days? Would it ever be posible to see one of these magnificent aircraft fling as part of The Wings Over Illawarra airshow at some time, perhaps along with a restored flying Mosquito.
These two aircraft you must agree are like many others closely related to WW11 fighting roles here in Australia.
I certainly think these two aircraft would attract a lot of interest if available for demonstration at your wonderfull annual flying celebration each year which I attend regularly these days.
Cheers, I would like to hear any feed back available, thanks Kevin Winters.
Hi Kevin
They are a long way off flying due to the complexity and rarity of these aircraft. However keep following there progress here.
Kind regards
John
Yes, the prospect of a flying Bristol Beaufighter would be amazing, however the amount of work they have down there, I could imagine it would be a long time coming. HARS has recently repainted the DC4 and have the Convair 440 flying. I was just wondering did they received 2 Fokker F.27 s from New Zealand or was it just one? What is happening with these planes?
Hi Brad
HARS have taken delivery of 1 Fokker F27 from NZ and the 2nd is due imminently. One will be reserved and one will be flying. The Beaufighter still remains as an active project and work has commenced on the rebuild of its engines. The Thunderbolts are suspended until the 3 P38’s are completed and then will resume restoration.
Kind regards
John
I remember the first time I saw the Beufighter X7688, I had not long arrived at RAF Halton to start my training as an Airframe technician. We were out on cross country around the airfield, my first time on the airfield. I came across the aircraft, just the nose and engines, it was in a bit of a state, I believe it left the station soon after. I climbed inside sitting in the pilots seat, most of the instruments were missing, the inside looked as much of a mess as the outside, but I had sat in a genuine WW11 aircraft for the first time. As we were expected to finish our run in a certain time I had to get going, by the time of our next cross country it had gone.
Hi Dave
Thanks for your comments – Great memories you must have! The Beaufighter is now restarting its restoration so stay in touch for updates.
Kind regards
John