Aerospace Bristol achieves restoration milestone

Rescued from California and arriving in 2006, the Bristol Bolingbroke 9048 has been undergoing restoration by the dedicated team of conservation volunteers at Aerospace Bristol.

In July 2024, the team reached a significant milestone by attaching the fin to the aircraft. This accomplishment required considerable effort, including the fabrication of the rudder support structure from scratch by Conservation Volunteer Tim Nutt.

This achievement follows several other key milestones in the restoration project. Earlier this year, in January, the team installed the tailcone. In June, the tailplane was successfully attached. The left wing was fitted in June 2023, and the right wing was attached in September 2022.

The Bolingbroke’s journey from recovery to restoration shows a remarkable feat of skill and teamwork. Aerospace Bristol extends its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the volunteers who have contributed and continue to contribute to this project.

This restoration is a vital step in preserving local heritage at Aerospace Bristol. In 2021, the museum opened its Conservation in Action Workshop, where volunteers work to uphold Bristol’s pioneering contributions to aviation and space.