Nick Harris, one of the project team involved in rebuilding the Pup has sent me this report:

The project itself has moved on somewhat in as much as the fuselage has been approved by the PFA. The plane was displayed at the RNAS Yeovilton Air Day on July 7th. and generated a huge amount of interest. As you can see from the attached pictures a  “borrowed” Le Rhone engine from Rolls Royce at Filton, along with a propeller of reasonably accurate dimensions. were trial fitted for the display - so you can pretty much see what the finished article will look like.

Most significantly, the project team have an offer in principle of a flight ready Le Rhone engine to be loaned to the airframe. The owner has promised to maintained the engine as well.

The Project Team's thinking was that a radial engine fitment would be the safer option as rotary engines have a reputation for being difficult to control. As time has gone on however, more information about them and original engines have started to appear, so the thinking has changed.

After a lot of suggestions (the PFA Inspector included) it was thought that it would be a sacrilege to cut up an original airframe to fit a contemporary engine. We were reminded very forcibly that this aircraft would be the only original Pup in the world still flying, once we get it built. Who could argue with that ?

The main spars for the wings are causing  problems as funding is still not forthcoming however that may well change in the very near future.

I am including a picture of the stand and the crew (Kelvyne, his wife Sue, and me), you can see the propellor fitted.  The best pictures were taken outside in the sunshine after the event.