Update(ish) 03/06/26
Looking ahead my next step will be to get the port side skin repair taken care of. I've tried to find someone local to weld the damage but it seems that aluminium welding is a dark art not much practised by mobile welders in South Wales! I've spoken to a number of folk in the hobby and decided in order to move things forward I'm going to fill the damage myself. This is something well within my skill set and it will be easily reversible in the future, but by getting this, and the worst of the metal bashing done I can move forward with painting which is the next big step.
I'm also making plans to get over to Norfolk in August to collect some parts from RAF Coltishall, Guardroom Heritage as well as a trolley so we can finally get the cockpit off the pallet and onto some wheels. Thanks to Carl and to Abi who've been patiently waiting for me to collect bits.
I have noticed that the group on facebook is now over 100 members strong so I just wanted to say thanks for your interest and support and take the opportunity to remind everyone how they can help move the project forward:
Social Media: I share pictures, videos and updates on facebook , youtube and instagram. 'liking' and interacting with these posts helps me grown those channels and raises awarenes of what I'm doing here. This is one of the best (and cheapest!) ways to support me!
Parts: If you have any cockpit parts for a two seat Hunter (seats, centre console and panel parts urgently needed) for sale, trade or donation please get in touch
Merch: You can help support XL609 by ordering merch from my 'RedBubble' storefront. I have several designs available, including one celebrating the upcoming 75th Anniversary of the Hunter's first flight: https://www.redbubble.com/people/xl609/
Donations: I also have a couple of options for cash donations if you feel that way inclined (something that is never expected but always appreciated):
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Hunterxl609
https://ko-fi.com/xl609
Thanks,
Bruce
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Update 27/06/26
It's been a busy week with almost everything but Hunter stuff this week and coupled with the weather I've not done a lot of work on the project, but I do try and get an update out here every week so here goes:
I took a closer a look at the control column parts I picked up last month with a view to stripping the column down but it's pretty well seized so it went into the box with the rudder pedals and considerable amount of penetrating oil, I'll come back to that another day!
I also 3D printed print a rough test print of the 'centre' instrument panel this week. I've been offered a couple of original panels since I started the project but so far they're all from 'export' models with different instrument layouts so I'm making a start on a reproduction, which I'll get laser cut. Thanks to Joe for the basic measurements. I'd love to hear from anyone who has an original T7 centre panel available for sale/trade (one is bound to turn up once I finished my repro ;) ) or anyone who can help me get measurements for instrument placement.
I'm looking for either of the two T7 layouts in the following manual images (TACAN being the difference)
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South Yorkshire Air Museum Cockpit Gathering 2026
This weekend I took the demo kit for XL609 to SYAM near Doncaster for their 'Cockpit Gathering' weekend, an event that has filled a gap in the calendar left by 'CockpitFest' which ran for 25 years at Newark Air Museum.
This was my first event and I was very happy with how it went - SYAM's volunteer staff are all incredibly friendly and worked hard to make the event a success for both visitors and exhibitors. As expected my demo setup needs quite a bit more work, both technically and to make things look a little 'prettier' but things worked well enough and kids of all ages (including my Dad!) enjoyed flying the Hunter with some real controls.
I enjoyed sitting in some of the visiting and resident cockpits (Yes, I'm also still a big kid!) the highlight of which for me was the recently arrived Pucará which came to Doncaster from the RAF Museum collection.
It was also a fab opportunity to meet other members of the 'Cockpit Community' including Neil and Heather of 'Lakes Lightnings' who owned XL609 for many years. I picked up an Avon engine starter cartridge from Neil which I think I'll convert into a 'collecting' tin as I was lucky enough to receive several small cash donations over the weekend and felt very self conscious simply pocketing the money!
All in all a very enjoyable weekend.
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Bonus Update - Air Speed Indicator Demo
We have a working Airspeed indicator! Please excuse the terrible 'flying' in the demo - I can't fly a Hunter well with those tiny control sticks but this was the easiest way to show things working.
The ASI is 3D printed (except for the laser cut acrylic face and 'glass') and uses single RC servo with some custom scripting on an arduino micro processor and a python script on the PC. Yes, the needle is jerky and it lags behind the simulator but it's a sound proof of concept.
All being well I'll have this running at The Cockpit Gathering in Doncaster this weekend!
Check out the video on youtube
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Update 14/06/26
This week I've mostly been tinkering with flight controls! I did a 'trial fit' of the better of the two port throttle assemblies, it looks pretty good in place, even if it's just held in by cable ties!
I've also been working hard to get some hardware hooked up to Microsoft Flight Simulator (not my software of choice but it looks prettty!) ready for SYAM Doncaster's Cockpit event next weekend. I won't have the cockpit with me but I'll have a basic rig setup on a table to 'fly' a Hunter with a real throttle and stick and some working switches, which will be a bit of fun to support the event and share my progress on the project!
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