Ever since first hearing about its restoration, I'd really been looking forward to seeing this very special Lockheed Electra.
So, apart from being a relatively rare Electra, what's so special about it ?
Well, this the
actual aircraft used by Sidney Cotton (the designer of the "Sidcot" flying suit, among other things) in the late 1930's, just before the outbreak of WW2, when he flew around Germany, carrying high-ranking Nazi officials on board, whilst at the same time secretly photographing airfields, factories and military installations !
There were a number of photo-recce cameras on board, in the lower fuselage and in the wing leading edges, cunningly hidden behind sliding "trap doors", which could be operated by remote control from the cockpit, without Cotton's passengers being aware that he was actually spying on their military build-up.
The aircraft has been painstakingly and accurately restored to how it was during that period, including the camera compartments and "secret" doors, and the interior has been lovingly re-created, using wood and leather to the same luxury spec as the original.
The overall colour scheme was chosen by Cotton, at the time, to blend-in with the sky, and it is thought that this was the basis for what eventually became "Cammotint" and later, "Sky Type S".
It was pure joy to watch this elegant aircraft (the "Learjet" of its day) cruise around the display circuit, and well worth the wait to be able to see it in its element.
More to follow tomorrow ......................