Doug Arnold (Warbirds of GB)

[Wycombe]

As a young aviation-minded kid living in the area, I often used to get on my bike and cycle to Blackbushe to have a look at the Warbird comings and goings (I'm talking 70's - early 80's) - and there was plenty - Spits, Mustangs, Sea Fury's, DC3's/C47's, Ju52's, He111's, B25's, B17's to name but a few....

Doug Arnold owned the place in those days and was often to be seen giving short shrift (usually in colourful tones) to anyone who showed to much interest in his aeroplanes!

He appeared to be a bit of a "gangster" (and in keeping with that image used to hurtle around the airfield in a big gold "Roller") was very shy of publicity, but obviously did a hell of a lot for aircraft preservation in those days.

Just wondered if there's anyone out there who met him/worked for him with any interesting stories to tell!

[PPRuNe Towers]

Well he's not around anymore so perhaps it is time for some Arnold classic stories to surface.

[Man-on-the-fence]

All I can remember is teh news of his death being "kept secret" until they could get all th aircraft spirited away into hiding (rumoursof Spitfires in containers abound).

I think some of them resurfaced under the auspices of Flying A Services at North Weald.

Indeed some have just been exported to the USA.

(If I have my facts wrong I will happily correct)

[fradu]

A bit on some of the fleet...

A few of the former WoGB aircraft did surface at North Weald; a FM-2 Wildcat N909WJ, F6F Hellcat N79863 and a Corsair N179PT. The latter two have gone to the USA.

There are rumours that some of the fleet are still in containers at North Weald.
However one of the Spits was brought out of its container and sold, PR.XI PL983 to a new owner based at Kent.
The other containers may hold a P-40, P-51 and several Spits...

Hope this helps

[ 06 January 2002: Message edited by: Mark [fradu] ]

[ 06 January 2002: Message edited by: Mark [fradu] ]</p>

[Man-on-the-fence]

I always got the impression that the aircraft were used as "an investment" rather than a flying Museum. Their rarity on the airshow circuit and Mr Arnolds actions in and around Blackbushe would seem to bear me out.

They appear be still thought of as in investment (albeit a rather good one) which is a great shame IMHO

[Vfrpilotpb]

A pal of mine who did a lot of deals with said character, stated that he was sharper than most razor's! <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

[TomPierce]

I knew Doug Arnold over a number of years. His character, carriage and attitude were a bit less that pleasant to most people, but underneath all that he was really quite a generous but private man.

He didn't suffer fools gladly. One example of that was when a CFI at Three Counties, Blackbushe, attempted to quash Doug's operation in favour of his own. He soon felt one of Doug's very large fists in his face. You just didn't cross Doug Arnold!

He did a great service to aviation, albeit at a profit to himself, but he did save some valuable aeroplanes from destruction and bought many back home from various parts of the world.

The last time I saw him was at Biggin, where in his own hangar, to whom it was closed to everyone expect friends he had a beautiful PBY looking very pretty, a Lancaster fuselage which was almost completed and 12 boxed Merlins! In the paintshop was his son David(?) spraying a Grumman Bearcat and making an excellent job of it. His other son, Peter, appeared but I always sensed that he didn't have his Dad's interest at heart.
The answer regarding some of the aeroplanes is above but what happened to the rest.

Outside the hangar, he had TWO Conqueror tanks! He collected anything that would grow in value. He was an aviation enthusiast come business man.

What happened to the Lancaster? What happened to the Catalina? What happened to 12 boxed brand new Merlins? What happened to Peter? Did he not keep the business going - he owned a large part of it - Doug told me!


He was not a liked man, but he did do a lot for aviation. Personally, I liked him.

[Boss Raptor]

Was told a story of how early 70's a guy in a new Jag was rude to DA at a petrol station he owned - so DA proceeded to wreck the car with a digger and then gave the guy the cash to cover it!

What about the Lincoln project that was at Bournemouth I thought?

[Wunper]

In the late 60's I remember seeing what must have been the whole of the remaining RN fleet of Dragonfly helicopters rotting at Blackbushe (about 15 in number) , were they part of the DA collection and what became of them I wonder? <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[Jed A1]

Didn't the Lancaster end up with Charles Church? If so it was subsequently crushed by the hangar roof collapse at BAe Woodford. I believe it's slowly being rebuilt again.

What did Doug Arnold use Bitteswell for or was it just property speculation?

[ 10 January 2002: Message edited by: Jed A1 ]</p>

[BeauMan]

The Woodford Lanc was KB976. Her remains are fairly scattered no, parts of her are with Kermit Weeks in Florida, the tail is in Bedfordshire (and was used for filming the forthcoming BBC drama 'Night Flight'), and the rest of her (along with the Lincoln) is believed to be up at Sandtoft. Not sure about future plans for any of it.