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Duke of Edinburgh plane 'could fly once again' | Duke of Edinburgh plane 'could fly once again' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A 1950s single-seat aeroplane once flown by the Duke of Edinburgh could take to the skies once more if campaigners can restore the craft. | A 1950s single-seat aeroplane once flown by the Duke of Edinburgh could take to the skies once more if campaigners can restore the craft. |
According to the Derby Aero Club, the Druine Turbulent is the only single-seat aircraft to have been flown by a member of the Royal Family. | |
The 1959 aeroplane was damaged in 1995, work started to restore it but it came to a halt eight years ago. | The 1959 aeroplane was damaged in 1995, work started to restore it but it came to a halt eight years ago. |
Volunteers from the club now want to fully restore it and see it fly again. | Volunteers from the club now want to fully restore it and see it fly again. |
The current owner has handed the aircraft over to the Derby Aero Club, which has just set up a society to restore and preserve the Turbulent. | |
'The best tradition' | 'The best tradition' |
Martin Jones, the engineering inspector at Derby Airfield, said: "It's a very basic, single-seat aircraft. | Martin Jones, the engineering inspector at Derby Airfield, said: "It's a very basic, single-seat aircraft. |
"It has an open cockpit and a basic windscreen. It's a scarf-flying-in-the-breeze sort of aeroplane in the best tradition. | "It has an open cockpit and a basic windscreen. It's a scarf-flying-in-the-breeze sort of aeroplane in the best tradition. |
"In 1959 His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh flew it. In 1960 it was raced by Prince Philip's equerry, a retired air vice marshal Sir John Severne and he won the King's Cup Air Race." | "In 1959 His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh flew it. In 1960 it was raced by Prince Philip's equerry, a retired air vice marshal Sir John Severne and he won the King's Cup Air Race." |
Although the aircraft has been dismantled and is now in a dilapidated state, Mr Jones believes the engineering required to restore it is quite simple. | Although the aircraft has been dismantled and is now in a dilapidated state, Mr Jones believes the engineering required to restore it is quite simple. |
"The project is eminently 'do-able' in quite a short time," he said. "Volunteers from the club will be working to restore the aeroplane under the watchful eye of the staff." | "The project is eminently 'do-able' in quite a short time," he said. "Volunteers from the club will be working to restore the aeroplane under the watchful eye of the staff." |
Sir John is a trustee of the project and plans to visit the airfield in Egginton. Prince Philip is also keen to see the aircraft upon its completion. | Sir John is a trustee of the project and plans to visit the airfield in Egginton. Prince Philip is also keen to see the aircraft upon its completion. |
"I have to say, I think the chances of him flying it again are pretty slim," said Mr Jones. | "I have to say, I think the chances of him flying it again are pretty slim," said Mr Jones. |
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