Anyone going to Biggin Hill?

[C]

I found this quote at Pancho Barnes Flims interesting:

Eventually it was sold to a private collector. Last we heard, the plane was at Biggins Hill Airport in England, and nearly completely renovated to flying condition. Attempts to contact the owner or restoration crew have thus far come to naught, but surely some day we'll get in touch. When we do, you'll read about it here.

Possibly because the owner of the former R613K in the UK wonders why they're interested in his Travel Air CW-12Q.

[Wing Nut]

That plane should be back in the US... :-/

[C]

That plane should be back in the US... :-/

The same could be said for a few aeroplanes that have gone the other way.


I'd suggest asking over at the Key Publishing forum Kevin. I that someone may know a little more there, even if it hasn't been discussed since the dormant 2001 thread.

[Hagar]

I found out today that a replica Mystery Ship is being built not far from here. I was told that it might possibly fly by the end of this year. This project was started from scratch about 18 months ago & has nothing to do with the Travel Air biplane reported at Biggin Hill in 2001.

[Wing Nut]

I found out today that a replica Mystery Ship is being built not far from here. I was told that it might possibly fly by the end of this year. This project was started from scratch about 18 months ago & has nothing to do with the Travel Air biplane reported at Biggin Hill in 2001.

Right now, the Travel Air Mystery Ships left in the world are:

NR1313 - Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago
R613K - Being restored in the UK
NR1313 Speed wings and empannage - Beechcraft Heritage Museum in Tennessee

R614K Replica - Flown by Matt Younkin
NR1313 Replica - Kalamazoo Air Zoo, Kalamazoo Michigan.

There are rumours about the Italian Mystery Ship (the last one built) but the Italian government has no record of it was most likely scrapped.  From reports they're less than eager to help figure out what happened to it.

[Hagar]

If you happen to hear more about this Doug, could you let me know?

I can't be more specific at the moment Kev but I'll certainly keep you informed. While at a fly-in today I happened to overhear a local restorer mention a Travel Air Mystery Ship, 1929. I could hardly believe my ears & asked him for more details. He told me that all the major parts are almost complete & he has a Lycoming 300 hp engine for it, the same type as in Matt Younkin's replica. He also has the correct prop for it, not the constant speed prop that Younkin used. That's all I know right now.

[Roughrider]

Kevin, I have shots of Matt Younkin at Oshkosh in 2007, do you want me to post them?    Mark

[Wing Nut]

Do you really expect me to say no to that?  :D

[Mictheslik]

Having just received my copy of Aircraft illustrated I was surprised to find this article....might be of interest to this thread...



Seems to be the replica that Doug might be on about being built at Southampton

.mic

[Hagar]

Having just received my copy of Aircraft illustrated I was surprised to find this article....might be of interest to this thread...



Seems to be the replica that Doug might be on about being built at Southampton

.mic

Indeed it is.

[Wing Nut]

I'm starting to lose track of how many replicas are being built.  I think that's two now with one real one as well...

[Hagar]

[quote]I'm starting to lose track of how many replicas are being built.

[Wing Nut]

The source I have that said R613K was there was pretty reliable.  The guy is doing a documentary on Pancho and was actually sent some pics on the condition they not be released to the public...

[Hagar]

[quote]The source I have that said R613K was there was pretty reliable.

[Wing Nut]

I wonder (and it's a stretch) if that is B11k.  When the Type-R project was begun, Travel Air built R613K, R614K, and a Biplane that was B11K that was along the lines of a 2000 with a NACA cowl and a souped up engine.  All three went to the Cleveland Air Races, but B11K was never meant to race.  It was more of a test bed.  Later it was sold off and I don't know what it's fate was...