Battle of Britain Hall Reopens & new FE2b at Hendon

[Duxford_Eagles]

After reading that the Battle of Britain Hall had been re-opened I headed over to see whether things had improved.

The hall has been reclad and the end wall facing the car park has been replaced with glass.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9110.jpg

The promised improvements in lighting in the BoB side of the hall haven't been delivered yet and things are as gloomy as ever so I just took a few shots in the Sunderland side:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_8925.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_8899.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_8916.jpg

The main reason for my visit was to see the most recent arrival, the FE2b which has unfortunately been placed in the worst display location that the RAF Museum has behind the Lancaster. A black aeroplane in a dimly lit hall is scant recognition for the years of effort that went into this beautiful recreation. To compound this, some bright spark has placed a row of barriers in-front of the FE2b so that you can't get an unrestricted view of the front. If this is intended to provide some protection from debris blowing through the nearby door surely the barrier could serve the same purpose placed against the door? Despite the FE2b arriving in May the AV terminal in-front of it isn't working.

Anyway, enough moaning, here's the FE2b and nearby BE2b

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_8992.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9019.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9061.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9069.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9096.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9083.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9067.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9041.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/_MG_9048.jpg

[Duxford_Eagles]

Winding the clock back a little, this is what the Fee looked like at the end of January 2008

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/FE_MG_0522.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/FE_MG_0518.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/FE_MG_0527.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v734/Aeroplanepix/Hendon_2009_0812/FE_MG_0528.jpg

This project started out as an unfinished nacelle that was loaned to the RAF Museum in 1976 by the original manufacturer, Garrett & Sons. It was left over from a cancelled contract and had somehow escaped destruction. The closure of Garretts resulted in the RAF Museum taking ownership of the nacelle which went into the reserve collection.

In November 1987, John McKenzie undertook the contract to construct a complete FE2 around the nacelle, incorporating an original 160 HP Beardmore engine. John has documented the fabrication of parts in a fascinating thread on "The Aerodrome" which is well worth a look:

My FE2b reproduction.. - The Aerodrome Forum (http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/replica-aircraft/42004-my-fe2b-reproduction.html)

In April 2008 the contract for assembling, fabricing, fabrication of remaining parts and engine overhaul was undertaken by Retrotec. The completed FE2b was delivered to Hendon at the end of May 2009 where it was officially unveiled at the beginning of July.

The aeroplane represents "A6526" which flew with 148, 58 and 102 Squadrons. The original "A6526" was damaged in a forced landing after a night bombing sortie and struck off charge in October 1918.

Source: http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/collections/aircraft/aircraft_histories/84-A-450%20%20%20F.E.2b.pdf

[ZH875]

I have always found it difficult to believe that people actually flew in battle in these very flimsy macines.

[Agaricus bisporus]

Flimsy is a word seldom used to describe the FE2b. It was actually as tough as old boots, a very strong aeroplane indeed.

Building the FE.2b | The Vintage Aviator (http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/projects/fe-2b/building-fe-2b)

Check this link, read the story and watch the video (on lh sidebar) Then lose a day or so in the rest of this magnificent website.

On a bit of a sidetrack, the prop as displayed is in varnished wood finish. For pure authenticity (tho clearly not for beauty) weren't these props covered with canvas?
The reason I ask is that I have a blade from a Fee and before I restored and varnished it there were numerous tufts of khaki canvas protruding between the brass tip-cap and the timber beneath that were clearly covering material. Was this usual - or universal? Any prop experts out there?