Restorations of G-AFRV and G-AFJR in Belgium
These two aircraft were both originally built in Slough as Tipsy Trainers. G-AFJR was later modified to a Belfair with the addition of an enclosed cockpit in the 1950s. At some point they were acquired by the Brussels Air Museum.
The condition of the two aeroplanes were quite different.
G-AFJR was mostly complete but still required a lot of reparation and long term restoration work.
G-AFRV had sustained a heavy crash and needed extensive restoration including a new wing and a new tail.
In 2005 restoration work was begun in earnest by the Brussels Air Museum Restoration Society (BAMRS).
It was a daunting task but the work was carried out at a high rate thanks to the huge amount of reference material and knowledge accumulated over the years by Vincent Jacobs. This is a photo diary of the two restorations using data and images from the Brussels Air Museum Restoration Society website.
G-AFRV restoration as a Trainer
Tipsy Trainer G-AFRV c/n 10 was originally built in Slough in 1939
December 2005
Progress on G-AFRV was already very good
The fuselage structure restoration was completed
The tail fin restoration was completed and installed
Various fittings of the fuselage either retrieved from the wreck or manufactured if missing, were installed
The cockpit section was close to completion with the instrument panel already installed
The tail plane was repaired and ready for fabric covering
May 2006
Update on the restoration of G-AFRV
The cockpit fittings had been installed
The windshield was manufactured and installed
All the tail plane components was either repaired or manufactured with fabric covering and this work was also done for G-AFJR
February 2007
Update on the restoration of G-AFRV
The fuselage structure was completed and ready for fabric covering
The spare wing reparation was well advanced and soon to be finished
Various components such as landing gear and cowlings etc had been repaired
August 2007
Update on the restoration of G-AFRV
The fuselage now fabric covered
The spare wing repaired and ready for fabric covering,
Most of the components such as landing gear and cowlings etc had been repaired
Rondelles pour amortisseur means washers for shock absorber and these are components of the landing gear below.
December 2008
Update on the restoration of G-AFRV which is nearing completion
The fuselage had been painted
The spare wing and its ailerons had been fabric covered
Restoration of Tipsy G-AFJR had begun. The fuselage was completely stripped out to assess any for damage and begin necessary repairs.
Progress on G-AFRV
The wing was painted
All the components including landing gear had been installed,
An engine was purchased, refurbished and fitted
The cowlings were repaired or manufactured
The complete aircraft was assembled
G-AFJR restoration as a Belfair
G-AFJR c/n 02 was originally built in Slough in 1939 as a Tipsy Trainer
At some time during the 1950s, G-AFJR was modified to become a Tipsy Belfair
December 2009
Restoration of G-AFJR had already begun and was already was well advanced
The wing and the fuselage were cleaned and ready for the many small repairs that will be required
The engine had been refurbished
July 2011
Progress on the restoration of G-AFJR
The wing had been fully repaired and fabric covered
The fuselage had been repaired and fabric covered
Various ancillaries had been installed including the canopy with replaced perspex
The fuselage and the tail plane was painted
December 2013
The two Tipsy restorations were supposed to be moved upstairs with the help of a crane. The second Tipsy restoration, G-AFJR, with no prospect of a crane coming it was decided to manually move it upstairs before final assembly. The first Tipsy restoration, G-AFRV, was disassembled and moved upstairs soon afterwards. Both tasks were hard work but no damage was done the two exhibits were soon on display.
Brussels Air Museum Preservation Society
Formed in the 1970s, the society had the aim of restoring historic aircraft to display standard. It is staffed by dedicated volunteers and is a subsidiary of the Air Espace Lucht Ruimtevaart (AELR).
The AELR is a non-profit organisation responsible for the management of aircraft and historical documentation of Belgian aviation heritage. Other countries exhibits are also included. It is based at the Brussels Air Museum.
Brussels Air Museum
The Brussels Air Museum is located within the Royal Museum complex at the Cinquantenaire. The original buildings were constructed from 1875 onwards. The construction and enlargement continued steadily to accommodate the world universal exhibition of 1910.
The Air and Space department was created in 1972 and after 40 years the museum has evolved to include some 130 airplanes and other flying machines. Despite the huge hangar, the museum has had to store various exhibits due to a lack of space.
Other parts of the Cinquantenaire include the Archeological museum, Autoworld, the Military History museum, the Marine and the Armoured departments.
To visit the Brussel Air Museum click on the image below:
Belgian Aviation Preservation Association
A third Slough-built Tipsy, Trainer G-AFVN/OO-DRY, is being restored to flying condition by the Belgian Aviation Preservation Association (BAPA). Click on the Trainer below to follow the progress of this project and learn more about the association:
Acknowledgements
Many thanks for the help, support and guidance on this and other articles within this website to Vincent Jacobs. Some of the materials contained in these pages are routed in the Brussels Air Museum Restoration Society (BAMRS). To visit the BAMRS website, click on the image below:
Information contained in these pages is correct as of 2018
My name is Gary Flint. I'm author, photographer & illustrator for Postcards from Slough. If you wish to make any comments on the contents of the website please click on the ladybird below:
Gary Flint
08/03/1961 - 09/04/2019
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