DELIVERY December 3rd, 2002 D-Day. Delivery Day. Dave Thomas delivers WV838 literally to my door. It's been a long wait and I'm still wondering what on earth I've let myself in for. This feeling really isn't helped by what I see on the back of the truck. (Click on any picture for a supersize version) Left side shows the missing gun panel. With much pushing, pulling, shoving and rolling - WV838 is cajoled off the truck and onto the two wooden dollies I'd prepared for her to live on during the restoration. The right side doesn't look too bad at this distance. WV838 is finally pushed into the garage just as the rain resumes - perfect timing, for once. There's not a lot of room left - this is going to be a struggle. After a much needed coffee, it's time to have a poke about and take a few quick photo's for those who have expressed interest. If this scares you as much as it did me... Here's a shot of the rear. You can clearly see where the four 20mm Hispano cannons used to live, and given that there's a warning plate which reads "Guns must be installed at all times" I think it only fair that the MOD should have left them in for me :-) A close-up shot of the right-most gun mounting. What surprised me is how much heavy iron there is in this beast, especially for a small lightweight carrier-borne aircraft. Time to check out the cockpit and I have to admit - it doesn't look good. Front View Floor Well (note the vegetation) Right-hand side Ejector Seat Rail - in amazingly good condition. Martin Baker Mk2D 'Nut Cracker' Ejector Seat. < Index