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Post by shamus on Dec 12, 2012 14:56:07 GMT 12
The remains of Blackburn Baffin, S1674 (NZ160) is now in the hands of Don and Steven Subritzky. Restoration will begin soon to bring to life this aircraft nearly 74 years after its crash into Little Pigeon Bay, Banks Peninsular. The remains which are now at Dairy Flat are the only remnants of this rare aeroplane left in the world and much technical information will be required and has to be found. Anyone on the Forum who has or knows of Baffin Manuals or Drawings, Don & Steve would be pleased to hear from you. We will be updating this post as the restoration progresses. Meanwhile, here are the photos of how it was in 1939 and how it is today.   1939 photos from Don Noble Collection.        More photos of this project to come when it is fully laid out. |
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Post by htbrst on Dec 12, 2012 15:36:13 GMT 12
Wonderful - really looking forward to seeing this project progress!
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Post by Andy Wright on Dec 12, 2012 15:57:42 GMT 12
What a great an awesome piece of news to finish what has been a great and awesome year (somewhat balanced by disaster sadly) for vintage aviation. Looking forward to updates as they come.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 12, 2012 16:22:01 GMT 12
OH MY GOD!!
It really is Christmas!!
Thanks Don and Steve for taking on this awesome project. I will have to come up and have a looksee in the new year.
Wow, I am over the moon now!! Thanks for the report Jim.
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Post by vs on Dec 12, 2012 16:35:38 GMT 12
wow! Not much left of it! What do the intend to do with it once complete...looks like quite a big aeroplane
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 12, 2012 16:59:20 GMT 12
The Baffin is about the same size as a Vincent/Vildebeest believe it or not. Same engine and prop size, etc.
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Post by Richard Wesley on Dec 12, 2012 20:29:20 GMT 12
Great to see yet another extinct type back from the grave. Couldn't have a better home.
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Post by wanganui on Dec 12, 2012 23:16:35 GMT 12
Might have to make a return to NZ to see this one, i'll wait till there is more to see though!!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 13, 2012 0:20:47 GMT 12
I just keep scrolling up and down this thread ogling the photos. Marvellous! As many know here this is one of my all time favourite biplanes.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Dec 13, 2012 6:53:14 GMT 12
Where did it come from? I thought there were NO survivors in the world! Amazing what is out there that we don't know about!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Dec 13, 2012 10:26:17 GMT 12
Yonks ago at a Christchurch AHSNZ meeting I viewed a home movie made during the 1930s by Sir Bruce Stewart's family, who as well as owning the Puss Moth lived at Pigeon Bay around that time.
There was coverage of a Baffin(?) that came to a watery end at that time.
Presumably this is the same aircraft.
I wonder if that film is still around.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 13, 2012 10:46:41 GMT 12
This is indeed the aircraft recovered by Sir Bruce Stewart using his boat, after it force-landed in the sea due to engine failure whilst being flown on a navigational exercise by P/O Wilfred Hopkins and P/O Robert Grant, on the 10th of May 1939.
adf.serials wrongly says it was broken up at Rongotai. It didn't leave Little Pigeon Bay for years as far as I am told. The engine and guns were removed by the RNZAF and the rest was left on a farm, which I think was Stewart's property.
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Post by John L on Dec 13, 2012 13:26:16 GMT 12
Is this ex- Bunny Darby? Didn't he aquire the remains about 20-30 yrs ago?
Good to see them in enthusiastic hands - I'm sure the Subritzkies will do it justice.
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Post by shamus on Dec 13, 2012 14:54:46 GMT 12
Jon L, Yes.
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Post by curtiss on Dec 13, 2012 16:22:31 GMT 12
Years ago ( more than 20) John Smith told me that he had quite a large section of Baffin fuselage.
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Post by curtiss on Dec 13, 2012 16:48:08 GMT 12
Shamus, I have a pair of pre war english wheels. Pretty rough, but I think they might be Baffin. Can you show Don and see what he thinks. PM me if interested.  |
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Post by shamus on Dec 13, 2012 17:43:40 GMT 12
Hi curtiss, do they have brake drums on the other side. This could be the deciding factor.
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Post by shamus on Dec 13, 2012 17:49:47 GMT 12
Hi curtiss again, John Smith had 2 forward airframes. One of them is now with Don & Steve.
I don't think he had anymore Baffin bits. I think I would have found out on my many trips to see him.
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Post by Andy Wright on Dec 13, 2012 17:52:13 GMT 12
Can I ask a stupid question? Is it a bit forward of me to throw out the idea that the forum 'adopt' this project? I know if we're going to donate etc the forum itself certainly deserves it but it just crossed my mind that given how unique this project is and the extreme amount of interest we all have in it perhaps we can become the Baffin Bods or something else along the lines of a supporters group (all with yay/nay from the Subritzkys of course).
Just a thought that has popped into my head without too much thinking it through re logistics etc.
...and/or the Reid Hudson. ;-)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 13, 2012 18:07:20 GMT 12
So you're suggesting a Blackburn Baffin Supporters Group?
The "Baffin Boffins"
As a long dedicated fan of the Baffin I think this is a great idea to both support the project with raising funds or finding parts, and also get the story of the Baffin's rather important service career out there
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