A project to bring Hawker Typhoon RB396 back to the skies has entered a significant phase with the announcement that the original rear fuselage will be heading to the Isle of Wight for rebuild.
On the 1st April 1945, Flight Lieutenant Chris House was shot down over Holland in Hawker Typhoon RB396, bringing to end this aircraft’s short, but illustrious career. Now, 74 years later, The Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group (HTPG) have launched a plan to have the veteran aircraft restored and flying once again in time for the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in 2024.
The original rear fuselage, which was returned to the UK from the Netherlands in 2012, will be rebuilt by Airframe Assemblies in Sandown over the next 12 to 18 months, depending on funds raised.
In total, returning the rear fuselage back to flying condition will cost approximately £220,000. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise an initial £50,000 towards the cost of this work.
Project trustees and post holders are calling on all supporters, aircraft enthusiasts, businesses and anyone else with an interest in seeing all Typhoon Ground and Air Crews honoured by RB396 taking to the skies, to help by donating to this unique project.
Dave Robinson and Sam Worthington-Leese, founding trustees, have said:
“We are incredibly proud of everything that has been achieved so far and we could not have got to where we are without the support of our post holders, volunteers, members and donors. As a charity, we rely on this generosity so we hope that as many people as possible will support this significant milestone by giving whatever they can.”
If you are able to contribute to this campaign or know someone who could, then visit www.hawkertyphoon.com. The crowdfunding campaign goes live at 13:30 today.
The Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group is a registered UK charity (no. 1167143) that is dedicated to returning Hawker Typhoon Mk.1b RB396 to European skies. Founded in 2016 by Trustees Dave Robinson and Sam Worthington-Leese, the HTPG has since launched a Supporters’ Club with c1000 annual and lifetime members, gained over 30,000 followers across social media channels and have established the project as one of the most unique and exciting in the warbird community.
