The "Saving Amy" WW2 Airspeed Oxford restoration project

The Saving Amy projects aim is, to restore an original World War 2 Training aircraft known as the Airspeed Oxford, to Static display condition, in Memory of the world famous Aviatrix, Amy Johnson, who flew this type of aircraft from RAF Squires Gate, Blackpool Airport, on the fateful day, when Amy tragically lost her life.

The aircraft chosen for restoration, is Mark Five Airspeed Oxford, Serial Number EB 5 1 8. She is the only known surviving example, of the Mark Five airframe, in the UK. This aircraft served as a training aircraft, in Canada, with the Royal Canadian Air Force as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, from 1942, till the end of world war 2. This aircraft was returned to the UK by the Midlands Aircraft Recover Group, in 1994, and has been in storage ever since.

The project is manned by local civilian and Ex -service veterans from all three armed services, who donate their time and knowledge, as volunteers, with the aim of help to rebuild this aircraft. Volunteers benefit from developing their current skills, and learning from the 1940 manufacturing processes of aircraft construction.

We also have early career volunteers, who are learning new skills such as 3D Printing, sand casting, Design technology, carpentry, metal fabrication, inspection processes, and the fabrication of the aircraft structures, and flying control systems. 

Currently the team is rebuilding the aircraft to the original design drawings, starting with the front cockpit section. The aim is to exhibit this section at events around the UK, to raise awareness of the project, and raise funds to complete the restoration of the aircrafts wooden fuselage and wings.

The long-term aim, is to display this aircraft at Blackpool Airport, in memory of Amy Johnson and the commonwealth air crews, who operated this type of aircraft in ww2. 

You can find further information on this project, by searching for “Saving Amy” on Facebook, or via the website, www.Savingamy.net.