Draper Tools recently responded to a request from the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton to help them tidy up their workshop area as it was to be publicly viewable. The FAA Museum has embarked upon an ambitious and refreshingly unusual approach to the treatment of some of the exhibits in their care. Rather than restore the aircraft, they are conserving them. Where possible this means removing layers of often inappropriate paint schemes to discover the original markings beneath. Since the aircraft are not expected to fly again, almost all the original material can be retained for display, a luxury not available to airworthy examples. This fascinating approach borders on the forensic and so far the FAAM has completed a magnificent Westland Wyvern and Chance Vought Corsair, now both on display.
The current focus of their attentions is a Grumman Martlet, Serial AL246. The Grumman Martlet is more widely known as the Grumman Wildcat in US Navy service. Progress on this has revealed that the aircraft carried a non standard paint scheme, possibly as a result of being diverted from a French Order at the beginning of WW2. Also that the Martlet appears to have ended up in the barrier on one occasion, leading to a hastily patched wing tip and dressed out propellor tips.
Also occupying time is the reconstruction of a Sea Gladiator, unlike the Martlet, the Gladiator is less than complete, so much will need to be recreated or repaired from different sources.
Inevitably, such activity leads to a visually chaotic scene, so to preserve a sense of order, Draper tools have supplied Roller Cabinets as well as hand tools to assist the FAAM in their splendid efforts.
For more information on the FAAM visit www.fleetairarm.com
