Sharing Warbird News and Veterans Stories Since 2013
Spitfire Mk. IXb MH415 Photo Credit: Platinum Fighters Sales
Vickers built Spitfire Mk IXb MH415, featured in the 1969 film Battle of Britain, has been sold by Platinum Fighters Sales after being owned for the past 47 years by Connie Edwards. It is on its way to be restored to airworthy condition by Pays Air Service in Scone, NSW, Australia. Check out Platinum Fighters on Facebook for more information.
Retired Col. Frank Royal salutes P-38F White 33. Mr Royal was the commanding officer of the 39th that White 33 was in. Photo Credit: National Museum of WWII Aviation
The National Museum of WWII Aviation in Colorado Springs, Colorado is the owner of Lockheed P-38F s/n 42-12652. This P-38 is currently undergoing restoration to flyable condition at Westpac Restoration. On August 12, 2015 she was able to roll on her gear for the first time in 70 years. This P-38F will have her first flight sometime before the end of the year. Visit: National Museum of WWII Aviation’s website and Westpac Restoration’s website
Photo Credit: N
National Museum of WWII Aviation
Westpac Restorations
This P-40E is headed to Pioneer Aero in New Zealand for restoration work. Pioneer Aero has announced that it will be arriving at their shop in mid September.
Some information on the recovery and condition of this P-40E from lend lease aircraft: “The P-40E was recovered from its watery grave of 55 years on 31 August 1997. Although the lake was relatively shallow, the aircraft was brought to the surface using flotation gear and gradually brought to the shore. In shallower water the tail plane and fin were removed along with the ammunition boxes and covers to the wings. The P40-E seemed remarkably complete and well-preserved. The only effects from the water seemed to be corrosion to the ferrous elements. For example, the metal handles for the ammunition boxes had rusted away. Likewise, the magnesium cam covers and items on the rear of the Allison engine had literally dissolved to nothing. The wheel hubs that appeared to have been protected more by the silt looked to be intact and the tires were still inflated.”
Information Sources and Photo Credits:
http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/articles/sheppard/p40recovery/
Pioneer Aero
A Bf 109 G is back in the sky, thanks to the dedication and hard work of MeierMotors GmbH. The vintage fighter took to the skies over Germany yesterday, with Pilot Charlie Brown at the controls. This Bf 109 is owned by the Military Aviation Museum located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which is under the direction of owner Jerry Yagen. This Bf109will be a great addition to Mr. Yagen’s collection. Hopefully we will see her at some airshows in the U.S. soon!
Photo Credit: MeierMotors GmbH
WordPress Award List:
Named 73rd on the Top 100 Blogs List
Named 11th on Top 100 Growing Blogs List
8/12/15 Named 35th on Top 100 Posts List- Great News From the Collings Foundation
Former Evergreen Aviation Museum’s B-17G 44-83785 “Shady Lady” in flight. It has joined the Collings Foundation and will return to the sky again in 2017. Photo Credit: Evergreen Aviation Museum
The Collings Foundation has just released exciting news. They have acquired a number of aircraft from the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. The aircraft include a second B-17G for their collection “Shady Lady”, a P-38L Lightning, a Bf-109 G-10, and a second P-40 Warhawk.
The Collings Foundation plans to have the Evergreen B-17 flyable by 2017. There will not be two B-17’s on the Wings of Freedom Tour, but rather will give the foundation ample time to do necessary work on their B-17G “Nine-O-Nine”, that they are not able to preform due to time constraints on tour. This is the same idea that the Collings Foundation had in mind when they purchased a TF-51D Mustang restoration project not too long ago. The TF-51D when completed will take the place of the foundation’s TP-51C “Betty Jane” while necessary work is done on it.
The Collings Foundation’s newly acquired P-38 Lightning. Photo Credit: Evergreen Aviation Museum
The Collings Foundation also acquired a beautifully restored Lockheed P-38L Lightning with very flight time logged since its restoration. Although the Collings Foundation, currently has its hands full with restoration projects, the plan is to have this P-38 flying sometime in 2016. In order to get it airworthy again, Rob Collings President of the Collings Foundation says that, “the P-38 will undergo some mechanical rehabilitation, just from sitting so long, and also some cosmetic…”, work to bring it to modern Warbird standards. Also to add some of the finishing touches, that were not previously applied. Mr. Collings also annouced, that the P-38 when completed will wear a natural metal finish. Mr. Collings finally announced that there are no plans to install a second seat, that this P-38 will remain a single seat aircraft.
Collings Foundaton’s new Bf-109 -10, it formerly belonged to the Evergreen Aviation Museum. Photo Credit: Warbird Registry
Also from the Evergreen Aviation Museum the Collings Foundation also acquired a Messerschmitt Bf-109 G-10. The foundation has “…not decided whether or not it will be a flyable aircraft”, says Mr. Collings, due to some issues it has. Reagrdless its restoration will be completed.
A Curtiss P-40K Warhawk , formerly owned by the Evergreen Aviation Museum, now owned by the Collings Foundation. Photo Credit: Evergreen Aviation Museum
The Collings Foundation’s final aircraft that it acquired from the Evergreen Aviation Museum was a P-40K Warhawk, which is likely to fly again in the future.
Stay tuned for a complete report on Collings Foundation’s aircraft restorations, coming soon.
Check out the original interview with Rob Collings by our friends over at WarbirdRadio.com here
Heritage Aircraft
The late John Desmond of Chalfont, Pennsylvania was a successful businessman and a collector of vintage aircraft from the 1920’s and early 1930’s. Mr. Desmond’s collection of aircraft, engines, and other small parts represent over 45 years of collecting. The collection of aircraft consist of a Pitcairn Super Mailwing PA-6, a Travel Air S-6000-B, Waco CTO, Waco GXC, an ultra-rare Kinner Playboy R-5, and the only soon to be completed wooden Lockheed Vega just to name few. Due to Mr. Desmond’s passing the entire collection is going to be sold.
The only wooden Lockheed Vega in the word in existence, seen here under restoration. This Vega served with Shell Oil. Photo Credit: Heritage Aircraft
Some of the aircraft have been sold, but it is not too late to own one of these one-of-a-kind aircraft. There will be a public auction in Chalfont, Pennsylvania on October 9th and 10th 2015. According to Heritage Aircraft, bidders at the auction will have the opportunity to bid on complete aircraft, aircraft restoration projects, engines, propellers, and vintage aircraft instruments. For More information visit:http://www.heritageaircraft.net/
Videos of Heritage Aircraft S-6000-B First Fly on May 27, 2015:
Take Off:
Landing:
Some Pictures of the Collection:
Video Credit: Heritage Aircraft
The Warbird Watcher 
Recent Comments