While tracking down us able examples of the early Mark Hercules engies for the Beaufighter has been something of a labour of love for the TFC engineers, the possiblity of using a later mark engine has recently come to light.

A Hercules 216, complete with engine mounts and associated bits has been parked in front of the Beaufighter since late April to enable comparison surveys to be undertaken, and offers the exciting possibility of modifying engines which are more easily supportable in the long term to fit the airframe which has already been created.

This choice of engine, if it can be eventually mounted on to the machine, would also offer the possibility of a supply of prop hubs, and possibly even blades, to help this restoration along. You'll have noticed the use of the word 'possibly' in almost every sentence in this news item, the truth is that we have yet to determine whether the modifications can in fact be carried out.

With the help of a CAA approved design body, large numbers of big sheets of paper, some sharp pencils and a little luck, it may be that the Beau will not have to wait for too long to resolve its powerplant and propeller problems...

The Fighter Collection was recently very pleased, and honoured, to be visited by John Cunningham, who came to Duxford especially to visit the Beaufighter rebuild. Known as Cats Eyes Cunningham, he accounted for 20 enemy aircraft during the war, only one of which was despatched during the hours of daylight!

His nickname was an attempt by the RAF to disguise the fact that John had airborne radar available to him, although his night vision was the equal of anyone elses! The current (Spring 1999) Fighter Log, the in house magazine for members of the Friends of the Fighter Collection, has pictures of his visit and contains an article written by John describing his night time sorties in wartime Beaufighter aircraft. It also contains a number of recent pictures of the machine before and after the new wheels.