Flying progress made on Wellington Wonder at RAF Cosford
There’s still a way to go, but this Wellington Wonder is still quite a sight.
The Vickers Wellington Mk.X MF628 has been being restored at RAF Cosford since June 2010.
It’s one of only two complete versions of the bomber found anywhere in the world and was used as a camera plane for the filming of The Dam Busters.
The aircraft was built by Vickers Armstrong at their Squires Gate, Blackpool factory.
Delivered to No.18 Maintenance Unit at RAF Tinwald Downs for storage just three days before D-Day, the Wellington would not see operational wartime service, but would be used as a crew trainer and navigational instruction aircraft.
It was riddled with corrosion when it first arrived in Shropshire in 2010, an issue that they have since managed to get under control.
One wing has also been covered and painted, although work remains on both the other wing and the main fuselage.
The restoration effort was highlighted during a visit by the Airfix team for their online blog, Aerodrome.
Even though there is a plethora of aviation delights currently in the Conservation Centre, the imposing sight of this stripped down Wellington fuselage is without doubt the most striking feature of any visit,” they wrote.
“It certainly leaves you with a great deal of admiration for the young men who took these machines to war.
“It is also clear to see just how much work the renovation team still have ahead of them, but when they have finished, they will have been involved in one of the most ambitious and impressive projects undertaken in the UK.”
