DHAMT

G-ARYC - Ralph asked us to see if we could do something to improve the 125. She looks OK on the outside, but inside is/was a tip. She had been used as a store.

We cleaned her outside and tidied up all the pipes hanging from the engine pods, and then searched for the cowlings. We do have two complete Vipers ready to install, kindly donated by Bob Thompson of Jet Engineering Technical Support. Our cowlings – what we have of them – are in a sad state, so I contacted a friend at RAF Cranwell who flies Dominies to ask if they had any cowlings.

He told me to ring Cosford, which I did. All the people I spoke to were extremely helpful and yes they do indeed have two complete sets of spare early cowlings. Unfortunately because they still fly the Dominies/125s and might need them (they have not needed them for the past nearly 50 years!!) they would not even loan us a set – a great pity, as we cannot hang the engines without cowlings. We have most of the port cowlings, but nearly the entire starboard ones are missing.

Malcolm and Jim then turned their attention to the inside, which they cleaned out so they could see what work was needed. The corrosion in the aircraft is fearsome, but by very hard work and ingenuity, they have worked wonders.

The cockpit now does not leak – the DV windows have new bearings (but will not be opened) and other windows sealed. Several other holes on the roof were also closed.

Then they took out the entire interior – cabin lining, interior cabin windows, seats, and some roof linings, to find yet more corrosion. Some of the interior fitting out was quite atrocious, but it is now looking excellent and by next Spring when she will be open to the public will indeed look wonderful.