Restoring Cold War Planes
August 30, 2023
Molly, Freddie, and I went back to the Bentwaters Cold War Museum yesterday. This time though, we visited the very special hangar where an incredible
August 30, 2023
Cataloguing Components
August 30, 2023
Classic car technician Tom has been going through the long process of cataloguing the components of our AC Cobra project. His main focus has been
Morris Minor Repairs
August 30, 2023
After suffering from an unfortunate bump while at home, our 1960 Morris Minor has been needing some repair work completed by classic car technician Mauro.
Painting Our Transit Bed Frame
August 30, 2023
The bed frame of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with Mauro, as he has been giving it
All Coming Back Together
August 30, 2023
Lydia and Brian have been working hard on the interior of our 1959 Jensen 541R. Brian has been making and fitting the door panels, while
Beetle Interior
August 30, 2023
Classic car technician Lydia has been starting work on the interior of our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle. After undergoing lots of work on its body and
Getting Our TR6 Ready To Be Won
August 30, 2023
Our 1973 Triumph TR6 will soon be going live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Before that happens though, classic car technician Jonn has been checking
Restoring Cold War Planes
August 30, 2023
Molly, Freddie, and I went back to the Bentwaters Cold War Museum yesterday. This time though, we visited the very special hangar where an incredible team of volunteers restore aircraft for future generations to admire and appreciate.
We were actually there to do some filming for an upcoming episode of Talking Classics and we all had a fantastic time talking to Dennis and Rob, who were hard at work on some very impressive Cold War aircraft.
Much more information and photos will be coming soon but, in the meantime, here are some snippets of what went on, and details of some of the exceptional planes we were able to get up close and personal with.
Gloster Meteor F.8
Currently under restoration.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Gloster Aircraft Company
Purpose: Single-seat day fighter
Crew: One
Wingspan: 37 ft 2” / 11.8 metres
Length: 44 ft 7” / 13.5 metres
Height: 13 ft / 3.9 metres
Weight (Empty): 10,684 lb. / 4,846 kg
Service ceiling: 43,000 ft / 13,106 metres
Engines: 2x Rolls Royce Derwent 8
Performance: 598mph at 10,000 ft
English Electric Lightning F.53
Currently under restoration.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: English Electric
Purpose: Single-seat fighter
Crew: One
Wingspan: 34 ft 10″ / 10.6 metres
Length: 55 ft 3 ” / 16.8 metres
Height: 19 ft 7 ” / 5.97 metres
Weight (Empty): 31,068 lb / 14,092 kg
Service ceiling: 54,000 ft / 16,000 metres/zoom ceiling >70,000 ft
Engines: 2 × Rolls-Royce Avon 301R
Performance: Mach 2.0 /1,300 mph / 2,100 km/h at 36,000 ft
Lockheed T-33A
Currently under restoration.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Lockheed
Purpose: Jet Trainer aircraft
Crew: 2
Wingspan: 39ft 1” / 11.9 metres
Length: 37ft 9” / 11.5 metres
Height: 11ft 8” / 3.56 metres
Weight (Empty): 8.367 lbs / 3.795kg
Service Ceiling: 48,000ft / 14,630 metres
Engine: 1x Allison J33-A-5
Performance: 600 mph
Range: 1100 Miles / 2050 km
Sepecat Jaguar GR.1A
Currently under restoration.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Sepecat
Purpose: Ground attack
Crew: One
Wingspan: 28 ft 5” / 8.64 metres
Length: 50 ft 11” / 15.52 metres
Height: 16 ft 1” / 4.92 metres
Weight: 16970 lb. / 7700 kg
Service ceiling: 45930 ft / 13920 metres
Engines: 2x Rolls Royce Adour
Performance: 1056 Mph
We would all like to say a big thank you to Dennis and Rob for taking the time out of their busy schedules to show us around and answer our questions. We look forward to seeing you both again soon.
Cataloguing Components
August 30, 2023
Classic car technician Tom has been going through the long process of cataloguing the components of our AC Cobra project.
His main focus has been on the engine, as this will soon be removed from the vehicle so it can be refurbished before going back into the car at a later date.
This is a very exciting restoration project so we are very much looking forward to seeing it progress through its time here in the Bridge Classic Cars workshop.
Morris Minor Repairs
August 30, 2023
After suffering from an unfortunate bump while at home, our 1960 Morris Minor has been needing some repair work completed by classic car technician Mauro.
Mauro has been focused on repairing the front wing that seemed to take the brunt of the impact. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer before the fully recovered Minor goes back home to its owner.
Painting Our Transit Bed Frame
August 30, 2023
The bed frame of our Ford Transit MKII Tipper has been in the Bridge Classic Cars paintshop with Mauro, as he has been giving it a fresh coat of paint.
After applying epoxy primer to the bed frame, he went on to paint it black using DTM paint.
Once the freshly painted bed frame is reunited with the rest of our Transit Tipper, it will be a positive step forward on the restoration journey of the vehicle.
All Coming Back Together
August 30, 2023
Lydia and Brian have been working hard on the interior of our 1959 Jensen 541R. Brian has been making and fitting the door panels, while Lydia has been focussing on the interior carpets and seats of our classic Jensen.
The restoration of this beautiful car is getting closer and closer to being finished and we are looking forward to seeing this progress continue.
Beetle Interior
August 30, 2023
Classic car technician Lydia has been starting work on the interior of our 1974 Volkswagen Beetle.
After undergoing lots of work on its body and chassis, it’s great to finally see the interior begin to go into the classic Beetle, known affectionately as Delilah.
Door cards have been fitted, carpet has been installed and Lydia’s work will continue as she puts the interior of our Beetle back together.
Getting Our TR6 Ready To Be Won
August 30, 2023
Our 1973 Triumph TR6 will soon be going live on Bridge Classic Cars Competitions. Before that happens though, classic car technician Jonn has been checking it over to make sure everything is ready for its lucky new owner.
Part of Jonn’s work included getting all of the rear lights working, replacing the aftermarket steering wheel with a more period-correct one, and getting the stereo loom ready for the stereo to be fitted.
The stereo was then fitted and tested and found to be working as expected. Jonn went on to adjust the handbrake as well as fitting new door locks on both sides. A new clutch pedal anti-slip pad was fitted too.
