The Hunt for the Bolingbroke

Steve Poole describes the lengthy sequence of events which led to the acquisition of the Society's Bolingbroke.

My quest began in 1998. I had first heard of Nanton through an article I had read on their work in saving Lancaster FM159.  I had also heard that their members were very active in recovering derelict WW2 airframes living out their lives on farms in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia (these aircraft had been sold as surplus after the war).

I decided in June 1998 to write to the people at Nanton to see if it would be possible to obtain a section of an Avro Anson Mk I (another aircraft that served in large numbers at Jurby). Keeping in mind that at this time we still did not have definite premises, let alone a museum, was my credibility in asking for an aircraft was to be tested? My request for a Mk I Anson section was to cause a few difficulties, as you will see later, but I was determined that if I obtained anything it would be an example of an aircraft that served on the Isle of Man.

I received a reply to my letter in July from Robert Evans, the Curator at Nanton, who began by insisting that he was Bob, the formalities had disappeared in a second. He was very supportive and went on to describe what they had in terms of Anson remains. This consisted almost entirely of Anson Mk II relics, the Canadian version of the Anson, which differed in a number of ways with the Anson Mk I. He did advise however that a member of their Society in Saskatchewan had mentioned seeing the remains of Anson Mk I’s on his  ‘field trips’ made in the last year or so. Bob  said he would contact this member to find out the location and condition of these remains. I should say at this point that Bob Evans support for this project has never faltered over the last six years.

Had further email correspondence with Bob over the next few months, but nothing to report. 

During February 1999 I had an email from Bob, with apologies for not getting in touch sooner. The Society member in Saskatchewan had responded that the remains he had found of Anson Mk I’s were beyond worthwhile salvage except for a number of small parts left on them. He also advised that his ‘field trips’ would be severely curtailed as he was now studying for a law degree. Bob said he would get in touch with other contacts in order to spread the search into the neighbouring provinces.

Bob and I continued to exchange emails over the following year, I gathered that he was now canvassing other museums and organisations on my behalf. He apologised for the lack of results and thanked me for my continued patience.

2000, the new Millennium and at last a lead on an Anson Mk I, Bob had previously mentioned the existence of Anson Mk I parts in what he thought was a now a defunct aviation group. After a lot of detective work, mainly by Bob, I got a name and an address. I wrote to Alan Griffin in February and it would be three months before I received a reply. He had purchased the Anson Mk I parts, which consisted of an almost complete aircraft in many pieces, including engines and he would be prepared to discuss the sale. He wanted to sell the entire collection in one lot and I soon realised that a second mortgage would not be enough to satisfy this guy. Disappointed, but not downhearted I advised Bob of the situation, he understood completely, stating that their Society had never dealt in the open warbird market either buying or selling.

Bob now feels that an Anson Mk II may now be the only viable example to produce a museum quality exhibit, but he is still prepared to explore other options and I don’t want to give up on a Mk I until Bob does.

Throughout 2001 we continue to correspond, Bob still sounds optimistic, he has managed to locate some Anson Mk I parts, but not enough to create a meaningful exhibit and they will be placed in storage for future restorations. He says there are still aircraft, including he is sure Anson Mk I which have not been found or properly identified. Many aircraft were initially purchased and shared by farmers, so that one aircraft could be spread over two or three farms.

2002 (where do the years go to?) sees a couple of false starts on leads, but nothing serious happens and Bob and I continue to correspond and discuss the ups and downs of aviation museums. During 2003 Bob asks have I ever considered a Bolingbroke/Blenheim (the Bolingbroke being the Canadian model of the Blenheim Mk IV) as a restoration project?  I hadn’t simply because I did not consider I could ever lay my hands on one. Bob considers that a Bolingbroke/Blenheim would be a lot easier to transport and restore than an Anson. I think that any restoration is not going to be easy, especially as it would need to done to factory condition or not at all. What really convinces me that a Bolingbroke/Blenheim may be the one is when Bob states that they may have an example available. Bob explains that they have a number of Bolingbroke/Blenheim cockpit cabin section in store, but he will have to discuss the matter with his Society, as some of these may be tied up in ‘trades’.

In October 2003 I receive an email from Bob saying that he has identified a cockpit cabin section that may be available. It belonged to a chap called Jonathan Spinks. Jonathan worked for a number of years tracking down and recovering aircraft all over Canada, he had a good working relationship with Nanton and was well known there. Unfortunately Jonathan died in 1995 at the young age of 28. Following his death his parents arranged that Nanton should have all his aircraft recovery projects, indeed a number where in store at Nanton at the time of his death. Bob felt that some clarity was needed in order for them to be able to pass the cockpit cabin section on to me and that he would investigate this.

In December Bob came back to me with good news, the Bolingbroke/Blenheim cockpit cabin section is on. Jonathan’s family originally came from Ipswich and it was felt that a part of his collection returning to this side of the pond was very appropriate. Better news was to come when Bob said that they should be able to put together a package of interior fittings for the cabin. My next request from Bob was did he have a history of this Bolingbroke/Blenheim cockpit cabin section and again the news is good.

To be continued.