On 17th November 2017, the funds cleared for what was the project’s most expensive purchase to date. In time for the first Open Day at the new base, the team had acquired what is thought to be the only genuine four blade Typhoon/Tempest spinner in existence, and shortly afterwards from the same source, a complete rear empennage, tail unit and rudder was made available to the project. The cost of these parts far exceeded the available bank balance, and so, at risk of loosing the parts the Trustees took the decision to ask the Supporters’ Club for help.
These large sections, actually from a Tempest II, will significantly advance the project and will bring about a huge saving in both time and more importantly money, when it comes to the rebuild – which could now physically start as early as Q1 or 2 of 2018, subject to funding. The rear empennage is actually a Typhoon part number, showing that it was removed from the Typhoon production line, in order to become part of a Tempest II, whilst the tail unit only requires minor modifications for it to also “become” Typhoon. The rudder, which has already been rebuilt to airworthy standards, also only requires minor modification to be made suitable for RB396, so it is quite likely that the rudder will be the first airworthy component to be completed for the project.
The next target with regard to specific fundraising, is to raise sufficient funds in order to commence the physical build. A number of other factors must be completed first, but significant strides are being made in the right direction for this to soon become a reality.
Provided logistics fall into place, it is hoped to exhibit the new sections at the next Open Day which is due to take place on Sunday 3rd December at the project’s East Sussex home. A sign up form for this event, for those wishing to receive the information about it, has been put at the bottom of the home page of our website. If you want to be among the first to see these parts, then enter your details and come along!
Find out about the Supporters’ Club, and join, here.
Visit our home page, to sign up for information on the next Open Day, here.
If you wish to donate towards the project, you can do so, here.