PLEASE NOTE: De Havilland Devon C2 VP967 – G-KOOL has now been acquired by the Yorkshire Air Museum. VP967 has been with Daniel Hunt (Museum Curator) for over 10 years.
Kevin and Daniel Hunt stepped in to save VP967 from being scrapped in 2000, having just under a week to complete the work. Without this huge undertaking she would have most certainly been lost forever.
What followed over the next 6 years was a substantial restoration by dedicated volunteers to ground running taxiing condition. The restoration has most certainly put what was a derelict airframe back on the map for all to see, and the Yorkshire Air Museum (YAM) will continue to preserve her for future generations.
A potted history of the recovery and restoration of De Havilland Devon VP967 (G-KOOL)…
[2000] A recovery operation was hastily undertaken by members of the East Surrey Aviation Group (now known as the Wings Museum) to save a De Havilland Devon, serial number VP967 (G-DOVE) from potential scrapping.
VP967 was used as an instructional airframe at the East Surrey College, Redhill, but had been under threat from developers constructing the new Art Centre at the college.
Over a three day period, ESAG dismantled the Devon and moved it away from the developers until a suitable home could be found.
During dismantling, the airframe was found to be in a remarkably good condition. VP967’s service log was retrieved, revealing that the airframe had only flown about 6,000 hrs. ESAG’s recognition that the aircraft was at risk and stepping in to save it resulted in the aircraft being donated to ESAG by East Surrey College.
It was originally hoped to put VP967 on display at the De Havilland Heritage Centre at London Colney, but, due to lack of space there, ESAG loaned the aircraft to Redhill & Reigate Air Cadets. On 29th August, under police escort, 150 Recovery Company (TA), which had volunteered to do the move, took VP967 by road to the Redhill TA & ATC Centre.
The history of the aircraft had yet to be fully established. Apart from service with 207 Squadron at Northolt, it served with 21 Sqn at Andover which operated Devons in a Communications role until 1976 when it disbanded.
VP967 later transferred to RNAS Culdrose, 1978-1981, where it saw service in the Fisheries Patrol at Lee-on-Solent, spotting Spanish fishing vessels intruding into British waters. It was retired from service in 1982.
Plans to operate VP967 out of Biggin Hill, transporting consignments of fresh lobsters from Ireland to the continent, fell through.
After several years, VP967 was acquired by East Surrey College and used as a gate guardian and instructional airframe.
One time resident of the East Surrey Technical College, de Havilland Sea Devon C.2 VP967 (G-KOOL) was transported by road on November 30 2002 to Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, from Goodwood, West Sussex. It had been at Goodwood since leaving the college in the summer of 2001. Brothers Daniel and Kevin Hunt of the East Surrey Aviation Group have been very busy returning Oscar-Lima to its former glory and have already prepared and re-sprayed all the external surfaces. It was necessary to strip the aircraft back to base metal, so it could be etched primed and re-painted in its original RAF colours. During this work, many of its former schemes and badges were revealed, which spanned back some 55 years! Despite its good condition, many parts were missing and these have now been sourced from as far away as Australia. A low-houred Gipsy Queen 175, complete with original storage box and logbook, has been acquired to replace the starboard powerplant. Soon, fine detail paintwork will be completed and VP967 will wear the badge of either 21 or 207 Squadron, representing its pre-Royal Navy service. After the rebuild, VP967 will be parked on Redhill’s flight line, where it will hopefully feature as a static display at open days. The team would like to hear from personnel who flew in or worked on VP967 during its service days, or anyone who can help track down spares and equipment.
FlyPast March 2003
Devon’s smart new colours: Following its ‘rescue’ from the East Surrey Technical College by Daniel and Kevin Hunt of the East Surrey Aviation Group in 2000, de Havilland Devon C.2 VP967 (G-KOOL) has now been re-assembled. Restoration to static condition took place at Redhill, Surrey, and this included a complete strip down to bare metal and a re-paint back into its former RAF colours. The recently repainted Devon C2 VP967 at Redhill: It is intended to have the aircraft completed in time for the Redhill Fly-in on August 15, where it is hoped that VP967 can be put on static display. Work recently began on building a concrete hardstanding for the Devon on the aerodrome’s flight line, where it will be on show all the year round. The team would like to thank Devon Air at Kemble, Glos, and Heron Airlines in Australia for their co-operation, along with Nick Baulf and Andy Scrase for all their valuable help and expertise. The group would also like to hear from anyone who has a suitable prop nut for one of the Devon’s propeller units or a appropriate military spec Varley or Chipmunk 24 volt battery. Tel: 07769 688064.
FlyPast June 2004
Starring role for Sea Devon Filming recently took place at Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey, for a soon-to-be released two-hour TV drama about HRH Princess Margaret. Centre of attention during the shoot was the East Surrey Aviation Group’s de Havilland Sea Devon C.2 VP967 (G-KOOL), which recently underwent an extensive restoration programme carried out by ESAG members. The scene required not only both Gipsy Queen engines to run but also for the aircraft to taxi. After a frantic few weeks of activity, the volunteers brought the Sea Devon back up to running condition – with just hours to spare before filming was due to start! The film is set in the 1960s [sic] and portrays Gp Capt Peter Townsend being met at the airport by the Princess. Brothers Daniel and Kevin Hunt, who founded ESAG, were roped into playing the ground crew in the scene! VP967’s military markings were temporarily – with a bit of artistic licence – transformed into a Festival Air Dove for the filming. Margaret will be aired later this year on Channel 4.
FlyPast August 2005
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