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Cooperation Announced to Build and Display Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 P7056 “Pride of Yeovil”

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum and the Westland Whirlwind Fighter Project have announced a cooperation to build and display an example of the Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 at the Hawkinge-based museum.

According to the announcements, the museum will be helping to raise the needed funds and each sub assembly will be displayed in their Stuart-Buttle Memorial Hangar as they are built. These displays will “bring the work of the Whirlwind Fighter Project to a wider audience” and provide an opportunity for the public to “expand their knowledge of airframe construction and design.”

The twin-engine, single-seat Whirlwind fighter-bomber was developed in the 1930s and went on to serve in WW2, where it saw use in a variety of roles including bomber escort and ground attack. In addition to Hawker Hurricanes, 263 Squadron was equipped with eight Whirlwinds during the Battle of Britain. It was eventually withdrawn from service in 1943 and succeeded by the Hawker Typhoon. Continue reading Cooperation Announced to Build and Display Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 P7056 “Pride of Yeovil”

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Kent Battle of Britain Museum Acquires Cockpit For Bristol Blenheim/Bollingbroke Project

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge has announced the acquisition of a cockpit section for their Bristol Blenheim / Bollingbroke project.

As previously reported, museum volunteers acquired the substantial remains of four Bristol Bolingbrokes (a Canadian Bristol Blenheim variant) in December that will be rebuilt into one original airframe. Upon completion, the machine will be displayed as a Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV.

The section was acquired in Canada on March 9 and will reportedly be shipped to the UK shortly. Click below to check out a selection of photos.

Continue reading Kent Battle of Britain Museum Acquires Cockpit For Bristol Blenheim/Bollingbroke Project