MEDWAY AIRCRAFT PRESERVATION SOCIETY Ltd
We restore and preserve historic aircraft and artefacts for public display.
Patron: Her Majesty The Queen
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk V
Alongside the Rochester-built Short Stirling, the Whitley was one of the mainstays of Bomber Command during the opening phases of the war. Manufactured in the Baginton, Coventry plant, the mark V was powered by two 1,145hp Rolls-Royce Merlin engines. The aircraft had a top speed of 227mph at a height of 17,600ft. However, with the advent of the larger four engine bombers such as the Lancaster, the Whitley was relegated to ‘Nickelling’, the dropping of leaflets, and also to become the aircraft used by the bomber operational training units (OTU). Most aircraft of this type were scrapped at the end of the war with very little left to remind us of the Whitley.
Two R-R Merlin Engines from a crashed A-W Whitley have just arrived in the MAPSL Workshop
Both are in a very poor condition with extensive corrosion and damage and it will be a challenge to bring them up to a presentable standard for display with the remainder of the client's aeroplane.
Previous projects on the AW Whitley have included restoration of the turret, six propeller blades and three seats, all now returned to the client.
Two WW2 pilot seats from an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V have been restored for a private collector and a set of six propeller blades and the turret from the same aircraft (s/n 1468) are also being refurbished. The seats have already been returned to the owner to form what will eventually become a tribute to this long forgotten aircraft and the blades and turret will follow, once completed.
