dH88 Comet G-ACSS

[LowNSlow]

Before I go any further let me say that this is definately 2nd hand info albeit from a source who has contacts.. .. .I've heard that after spending oodles of dosh stripping down the wings of the dH88 to maintain as much of the original wood as possible, the nose section (aluminium, dented but "easily" repairable) is to be replaced with carbon fibre <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> . .. .I'm all for maintaining originality. I'm equally all for modifying hard-to-maintain systems. Even replacing panels with modern materials is acceptable to keep the aircraft flying as long as the originals are preserved for posterity. I must say though that replacing servicable ally with carbon fibre is taking it a tad far.. .. .Can anybody out there shed any light on this travesty?. .. .I repeat, I've heard this 2nd hand.

[CamelPilot]

Well it so happens that a certain gentleman, very close to the action, has joined the 'ranks' of PPRuNe and maybe he might care to throw some light on the subject. If it indeed needs it.

[Who has control?]

G-ACSS - the world's most beautiful aeroplane.. .. .Can'tsee the point in replacing an aly nose with carbon fibre, you have to make a mould, lay up the carbon, autoclave it and finish it. It must cost shedloads of money that the Shuttleworth Collection probably haven't got. I really look forward to seeiong her in the air again though.

[Fris B. Fairing]

It's my understanding that the precedent has already been set. I seem to recall an outcry when they used carbon fibre to replace wooden structure when they did the first restoration. I'm reluctant to be seen to be criticising people who work miracles but the expression "neither fish nor fowl" comes to mind.