Bristol Beaufighter restoration - The Fighter Collection, Duxford

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP THIS RESTORATION BY PLEASE READING BELOW?

A brief and distant look at The Fighter Collections Bristol Beaufighter Mk.XIC, JM135 restoration, within their hangar at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. The Beaufighter has been there since 1996, making slow and steady progress, at the same time gathering dust while it awaits a pair of Bristol Hercules engines. That said, the airframe appears to have had more work done on it this year than for many years before. This film was taken on 21/9/19 during the IWM Battle of Britain Airshow.

It appears that a solution may well have been found as announced on 'Key Aero Forum' in August by one of the TFC Engineers - "Maybe visitors to TFC hangar will have noted a little activity around the Beaufighter? We are in the midst of solving the engine installation issues, can you help? We are looking for the following component Air Publications to help with their overhaul. Magneto's, Simms F.S.T.14S Mk. iii & v, Rotax N.S.T. 14/1 & N.14A, BTH C.2. SE14-S/1 and C.14.A. (AP1374) Carb. Hobson A.I.T. 132.MF (AP2657) Whilst we have the Parts Manual for the Hercules III, X and XI would welcome Parts Manuals for the later engines as they also cover the A.I.T. 132 carb. ​​"​​​​​
Since then further posts reveal that they are also looking for:-

"Yes, engines are out there but getting hold of them is a different story. We are aware of two engines in the original stands gathering dust in an Indian University. So far no luck in getting them out. Maybe you know somebody who could?"
AND
"The props we are looking for are:- Australia - 33EX, Australian DH No. 35, blades AP455960A. British - Model No. 3/5000/6, Type No. 55/12 or 14, blades P455960A-17 and P4551778A-17."
AND
"Priority at the moment is to get two serviceable Hercules up and running complete with propellers. Reaching out to all Beaufighter enthusiasts around the world to help.
Currently looking for Bristol drawings to help with manufacture of induction manifold seals, also Bristol Technical Instructions which cover the early engines surface finish in black enamel.
The current plan will be to finish the aircraft in appropriate RAAF No. 31 Squadron markings."

So, if you or anybody you know, knows of any engines, parts, propellors or indeed, part or whole Bristol Beaufighter aircraft anywhere in the world, that might be able to help this project, please let me know (by commenting)? I will pass on any useful leads or info. With thanks.
The Bristol Beaufighter was one of the most versatile aircraft to serve with the Royal Air Force during World War II. It served in many vital roles in varying climates. It served as a radar equipped night fighter, day fighter, coastal and shipping strikes with both torpedo and rockets and at the end of its days as a towed target tug.

Bristol Beaufighter, JM135,has been one of the biggest restoration taken on by The Fighter Collection. Two centre sections and fuselages were recovered from Drysdale inAustralia and moved to Sydney. They were reputedly from A19-144 (JM135) and A19-148 (JL946) which were both Mk.11 aircraft. Both aircraft were serving with 31 Sqdn. RAAF at the time and the date of their respective incidents is given as January 1944.

One thing is certain and that is the centre section is British built, therefore putting it in the A19- RAAF serial series. Damage to the front spar web indicates that the starboard undercarriage either collapsed or was selected up on landing. A brief report on the incident which befell A19-144 states that thetailwheel collapsed on landing and the pilot retracted the gear to avoid other aircraft. The cockpit section is from an Australian built aircraft, the identity of which is unknown to us.

The structure of the aircraft is now largely complete and awaits fittings and suitable engines before progressing further.

http://fighter-collection.com/cft/beaufighter/

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