Its exciting news that the Bristol Beaufighter rebuild project has recently moved back into the workshops and display hangar at HARS Albion Park where work is about to recommence on the rebuilding of the Beaufighter aircraft itself. HARS has had a project to rebuild a Beaufighter to fly for decades however the opportunity to accomplish the task has only recently been a realistic proposition. This follows on from the recent progress having been made by Peter Brooke at Historical Aircraft Engines in Brisbane Queensland with rebuilding of several Bristol Hercules engines for the Bristol Beaufighter project of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) and Robert Grienert’s Historic Aircraft Restorations Limited (HARL) at Albion Park NSW. Details are in our Warbirds Online news item dated June 2019 – Beaufighter Engine Restoration News.
Warbirds Online recently visited Albion Park NSW to view the aircraft on display awaiting its rebuild resumption. Most of the components of the fuselage have already received some structural restoration with the cockpit and stern frames already rebuilt structurally. The nose/cockpit being sourced from the UK built Mk. 1f X7688 the Ex RAF Halton UK engine test rig which was purchase from Skysport in the UK and was composed of the forward fuselage and center-section with engines and props. At present it is proposed to utilize the center section of X7688 as the project component although there are several other center sections on hand if required. The center section has been moved back to Albion Park from the storage facility and is also on display pending commencement of work on it shortly which will consist of strip down and examination of the entire structure followed by repair and replacement as required. The reasoning behind the use of this center section is that it is the most complete and recently serviceable center section available so should be quicker and better to restore.
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- Nose cockpit & components
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- Nose cockpit restoration
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- Beaufighter rebuild commences
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- Bristol Beaufighter top view
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- DAP Beaufighter fuselage under restoration
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- Beaufighter horizontal stabiliser
The rear fuselage section has already been structurally restored and this means that the entire fuselage structure has been completed and will allow for quicker completion of the airframe once the center section is completed. Outer wing panels are in stock but will require a complete dismantling and rebuild in purpose built wing jigs which will be a time consuming process.
The horizontal stabilizer has had some reconstruction work completed however it will also take some time to verify and complete. The fin and rudder are on hand however will also require a complete restoration before they can be fitted. All wing and tail control surfaces are also in hand and will likewise require overhaul.
All of the work on the Beaufighter will be completed in house as it is a large and complex aircraft which requires a lot of work to coordinate and administer the restoration. Once all of the structural work is completed the task of fitting out the aircrafts systems will be carried out including the hydraulic, electrical and fuel plumbing.
As with all projects currently underway at Historic Aircraft Restorations Limited (HARL) work is expected to accelerate considerably in the coming months. Given the excellent progress being made at HARL on their 3 P38 Lightning projects they have proven themselves capable of working on complex large multi engine Warbirds and despite the rarity of the Beaufighter the expertise and knowledge of the type, should see this project through to a successful completion in a reasonable timeframe.
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- Beaufighter center section & restored cockpit
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- Beaufighter side view
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- Rear stern frame
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- Internal view rear stern
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- Bristol Hercules engine support ring
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- Bristol Hercules engine trial fitout
HARL have not as yet settled on the exact model and identity of the completed Beaufighter except to say that it will be an Australian operated aircraft from an Australian squadron. It is a fantastic project that will see this magnificent type fly again in a reasonable time frame, something that has always seemed elusive given the hurdle of solving the engine and propeller issues that plagued other efforts in the past. It is indeed fortunate that HARL now have access to the resolution of these issues which have allowed this project to resume.
Everyone likes a Beaufighter in the Warbird world however they have remained an illusionary beast in the air at least until now. Beaufighters (with the exception of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine MkII) were powered by the Bristol Hercules sleeve valve engine which in its Beaufighter guise is very rare and extremely difficult to rebuild as are the propellers however a lot of hard work has made a successful restoration and operation of a Beaufighter a reality.
Upon completion the aircraft will be housed within the HARS collection at Albion Park NSW and operate within their fleet, hopefully attending many airshows, events and reunions well into the future.
© John Parker 2019
Great story thanks John
Hi Sherryl
Thank you for taking the time to send your feedback.
Kind regards
John
Thank you, thank you, John, for this exciting update!
I admit that the amount of time I’ve impatiently waited to hear more news is nothing when viewed in the context of the time and the effort it takes to rebuild this wonderful aircraft. My very favourite of all the WW2 warbirds and I’m so looking forward to seeing and hearing it in flight!
The parts ‘find’ for the engine rebuilds was another very exciting report.
The pictures are excellent!
Good luck and well done!
Jim K in BC, Canada
Hi Jim
Thank you for the feedback – yes sometimes it can take some time for a project to move forward as it’s a mammoth task in time, resources and skill. We like to take photos of the detail that’s not often seen as its the detail that is the most impressive part of the work and we admire very much that we have the skill in Australia to do this type of restoration. We’ll keep on top of this project and make sure any news that comes to hand is shared about this wonderful restoration effort.
Kind regards
John
Apparently around 364 Beaufighters were built in Australia.
I think these were Mk 21s built at the Department of Aircraft production
Fishermans Bend Victoria, It will be an amazing site to see a Beaufighter
flying in Australia.
Hi Brad
There were indeed a large number built in Australia however this one is based upon a British example. We agree it will be particularly exciting to see a Beaufighter in the air again for the first time in over 50 years.
Kind regards
John
Airshows? Does this mean she’ll be airworthy?? If so.. WOW….
Harald
The Netherlands
Hi Harald
Yes that is correct – she’ll be airworthy.
Kind regards
John
That is wonderful news. It will be great to see a beau. airborne.
My father was a storeman at Fisherman’s Bend during the period when Beauforts and later Beaufighter were built. I can remember him going to work there when I was a small child. I was born in 1945, so they must have continued production on something well after the war ended.
Jeff Simmons, Rockhampton
Hi Jeff
Thank you for sharing this information – it all contributes to the rich history of the aircraft.
Kind regards
John
Hi John,
Is this the Beau that was at Duxford UK? If so, my father and I saw it there around 2000. It was of great interest to us, as my father flew them during WWll, with 27 Sqn, based in India, fighting the Japanese over Burma, for which he was awarded the DFC. Even if it’s not the one, it will be an outstanding achievement to get it flying again and one I know my father would have loved to have seen, sadly he passed away in 2009. Hopefully one day I might get the chance.
Good luck with the restoration.
Kind regards
Richard Peacock
Hi Richard
No this aircraft is not the same one – It does however come from the same source in Australia as the Duxford one. See the Duxford aircrafts history here http://fighter-collection.com/cft/beaufighter/
Recent reports indicate that the Duxford aircraft has resumed restoration at Duxford and will hopefully be completed in the next few years.
I hope indeed that you do get the chance to see a Beaufighter fly again as do we all
Thank you very much for your interest.
Kind regards
John
Hi John,
Thanks for the link and all the best for the return to flight.
Kind regards
Richard
Hi Guys
First I’ve heard of a Beau’ being restored to flying condition ! Wow, you guys in Australia and New Zealand certainly punch above your weight in this science becoming art. I know it’s imprecise , but do you have a time scale ?
I worked on the last (at the time) Mosquito RR299 in the UK as an apprentice. The Beau’ is definitely an underrated contribution to Victory in WW11.
Well done , keep the faith. AND Lest We Forget for all those men giving their youth and lives for us.
Hi Paul
Thank you for your feedback. It is certainly great news about this restoration. There is no published timescale for the restoration. I am sure you will know its a complex task which will take several years. There is a 2nd Beaufighter being restored at Duxford in the UK and it has recently received a renewed effort to complete it and it is hoped it will fly withing several years.
Kind regards
John
Fantastic effort to restore these aircraft
Hi Neil
Yes it will be great to follow their progress.
Kind regards
John
Looking at the photos of the Beaufighter cockpit and how the pilots had to slide it back to get past it and then pull it up behind them and lock it in to fly I remembered a story my father told me about his experience with it.
My father was LS “Jake” Jacobs and flew 49 missions as a pilot with 30 Squadron between April 1944 and Jan 1945 against Japanese forces.
When I was 16 and my father was teaching me to drive I made the mistake of adjusting the seat on its slide while driving. My father said that was not at all wise and I shouldn’t do it. It would be very easy not to properly lock it back in place.
With the confidence of youth I replied I doubted if much could go wrong of consequence even in a worse case scenario.
That prompted my father to say that yes you might think that but his adverse experience during the war gave him a different perspective.
Apparently on one flight he neglected to make sure his pilots seat on the Beaufighter was securely locked in once he sat down on it.
Flying out he was unaware of this but when they subsequently did a raid on a Japanese airfield his problems began. When he pulled back to climb out of a dive after a straffing run on the airfield his pilot seat slid back down the rails towards the rear of the plane with him strapped into it.
His feet immediately lost contact with the foot controls and as he was only able to retard his slide backwards with his feet and by pulling back on the joystick the Beaufighter immediately started pulling up in a steep climb directly over the Japanese airfield.
My father explained only by massive pull on the joystick and string drive forwards with his feet was he able to get his pilots seat back up the rails & forward far enough on the rails for it to lock in.
This of course turned the steep climb into a dangerous near vertical stalling climb.
Only once his seat was locked in and he regained access with his feet to the floor controls was he able to put the nose down and turn rapidly away in a steep diving turn.
His navigator (“Barney” Glasson) quickly came forward convinced my father must have been hit by Japanese fire and had to battle wounds to regain control of the aircraft. He would needhis help if they were to fly on and survive.
There was apparently a lot of shouting as he tried to understand what accounted for their recent maneuvers. Why wasn’t my father in severe pain and covered in blood? But his sincere concern (they were close friends) turned into unconstrained rage when he understood the stupid mistake that had nearly cost both of them his lives.
Dad said that years after the war Barney told him he still occasionally had nightmares of that moment.
With with his rear looking view back on the airfield when they suddenly pulled up into the steep climb directly above the Japanese forces he had watched horrified as every gun the Japanese possessed switched its fire from other aircraft to the sole Beaufighter presenting a beautiful target as it engaged in a rapidly slowing climb directly above them!
After that explanation I agreed with my Dad I would never again adjust my seat while driving.
Hi Kim
Thank you for sharing this story of a lesson well learned.
Kind regards
John
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. My uncle Allan Gifford flew these aircraft in PNG and then latter against shipping in Singapore amongst other missions.
I believe his squadron was nicknamed whispering death. He said the name came from a fuel starvation problem that occurred when they pulled negative g’s as they came over an escarpment to get low enough to launch a torpedo. As they applied power for the climb out the engines fell silent leaving inexperienced pilots to loose their lives.
I have no photos or records, only his stories so it means a lot to me to be able to see his aircraft type coming back to life.
Hi Louis
Thank you for sharing this information about your under.
Kind regards
John
Hi Warbirdman.
My father flew a Beaufighter night-fighter variant during World War 2 in Squadron 604 or 603. Then he went with 603 squadron (I met his 603 C.O. in 1980 and he remembered Dad!) to North Africa to be involved, albeit briefly, in anti-shipping role.
Though he flew Beaufighters, Mosquitos and DC3s, his heart remained with the Beaufighter. Sadly he passed away in 2003. He would have loved to have seen one airborne again. Hopefully I will be able to see one fly again, do you have any idea when that will be?
Your work is a tribute to such men as my dad as well as helping us understand that war is not a real solution to anything.
Thank you from someone who has never been to war.
Regards
Peter Willans
Hi Peter
Thanks for your memories – I can’t predict when a Beaufighter will fly again but I hope its in the next 5-10 years – it’s a lot of very hard work. Stay tuned to our website we will record progress ass it happens.
Kind regards
John
Very pleased to find this page. As a Halton Apprentice I worked on this aircraft (X7768) in 1969 learning how to run the engines and inhibit them. I will always remember using the Ki-gas pump in the undercarriage bay during startup. I had no idea what had happened to it once I left Halton.
Looking forward to seeing the further progress made.
Regards
Dave Westall