Latest news from the restoration project

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Back at it:

The team are finally able to get back to work on Bird 18 following the easing of Covid lockdown restrictions. A number a jobs are being worked on including the final refit of the upper avionics having replaced the old Itailian script panels, the instrument panel has been removed and is being prepared for a fresh coat of grey paint before the gauges and dials are all refitted along with the new addition of all the required post lights to finally complete the panel. We have a repair to be made to one tip of a main rotor before both rotors are repainted. More to follow.

Side Curtains and Gun Covers:

Working from original images we have recreated the fuselage door curtains and rain covers for the M60's. A new photo can be seen in the 'Display' gallery section.

Hoist:

The rescue hoist build has been completed and really tops off the aircraft fantastically. A photo of the hoist can be seen in the 'Display' photo gallery.

Re-spray:

Over a weekend in August 2020 the team stripped down and masked up Bird 18 and set about giving her a total re-spray, it was established that the previous colour was slightly too dark so work began in colour matching the more common lighter green and when this was found the work began on spraying her down and re-marking the decals. She is now finished and new images have been added to the 'Display' slideshow on the 'Galleries' page.