Hangar 42, Blackpool, Sunday 2nd September.

[viscount]

SPITFIRE VISITOR CENTRE - HANGAR 42
Squires Gate/Blackpool, Sunday 2nd September 2023.

With a night stop at Southport and an early evening flight out of John Lennon, how best to use my time but make a final aviation heritage collection stop of my 8 day 'road trip' - the 13th museum/collection visited, was to an airfield that for 3 years 1969-1972 was my 'local', Squires Gate. For the visit I was joined by John Wiseman, who have I known since I was a mid-teenager and is editor of the Blackpool Aviation Society's 'Backtrack Two-Eight' web magazine.

The airfield has completely changed since my days there. Indeed I got lost finding the airport, the Sat Nav trying to take me somewhere in the middle of town!

A fascinating and interesting visit, my first to Hangar 42. The Spitfire Visitor Centre has gathered together a group enthusiasts eager to relate and explain Lancashire's World War II heritage even at 10am on a Sunday morning! All the aircraft in the hangar were replicas/FSMs, but you would not know it due to the atmosphere built in through countless artifacts. A slightly rushed visit due me having a mid afternoon deadline to return the hire car in Toxteth, but highly enjoyable and informative. It is not a place where you are allowed to rush through with notebook and pen! A hidden little gem of 'period' atmosphere.

V7752	ZJ:L	Hawker Hurricane II	Polish logo
X4253   FY:N    Spitfire II   		tucked away in a corner		
BS435	FY:F	Spitfire IX		D-day markings				
PL279	ZF:Z	Spitfire IX		D-day markings, polish logo.  The port side is marked MK464/Y2:Y.	
VH4199	AH:H	Spitfire IX		mounted tail up, used a flight simulator (see photo)				
W3442	FY:D	Spitfire IX		fuselage only, on own wheels.  Part hidden by vehicles outside hangar doors.				
EB518		Airspeed Oxford V	A long term restoration/new build project

W&R 28 2022:
The Spitfire "flight simulator" mentioned may, or may not be (but likely is) the complete machine with VH4199 applied squadron codes 'AH:H'.
New since W&R 28: Arrival Spitfire PL279/MK464 was a former resident of 'Spitfire Corner' at Newquay/St.Mawgan.

[ronturner]

Very Interesting. I had no idea!