BUCHON BREAKS COVER - 9th April 2010
© Brian A Marshall
Following an extensive restoration to flying
condition by the Real Aeroplane Company at Breighton, Hispano HA-1112-M1L ‘Buchon’
(G-BWUE) made its first post restoration flight in the very capable hands of
Nigel Lamb of the Old flying Machine Company on the afternoon of the 19th
May 2006. The camouflage and markings were those of ‘Red 1’ a Bf 109G-2/trop
as flown by Hauptmann Werner Schroer based on the Greek island of Rhodes in
early 1943. With its return to Duxford, it was originally operated by the
OFMC and based at Duxford from 1996 to 1998, it continued to fly in those
colours for its new operators, Spitfire Ltd. In November 2009, the Buchon
changed hands again with ownership passing to Historic Flying Ltd at Duxford.
With the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain taking place in 2010, the
new owner took the bold decision of having the Buchon repainted in the
colour scheme it wore in 1968 during the making of the film ‘The Battle of
Britain’. In November 2009, the transformation started in 3 hangar with the
Buchon having its panels removed and then transported to the ARCo/HFL
compound for stripping down and repainting in its new colour scheme
supervised by Colin Pope, who did all the research for the new scheme, and
the ARCo/HFL team of engineers and restorers.
© Brian A Marshall
Although tantalising glimpses of G-BWUE had been seen outside in the later
part of May, it wasn’t until the afternoon of the 9th April 2010, that
‘Yellow 10 - C.4K-102’ emerged into the hazy sunshine of a late Friday
afternoon as it was transferred from the ARCo/HFL compound to their storage
area in Hangar 2.
Brian A Marshall