Return of the “Meat Chopper”

meatchopper6The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) owns a Republic P-47N Thunderbolt painted as “Lil’ Meaties Meat Chopper”.  The original “Meat Chopper”  served with the 464th FS/507th FG based on Ie Shima in 1945.  In 2002 , the CAF’s P-47 was involved in an accident.  The aircraft caught on fire during a maintenance test flight and made and emergency landing at Albuquerque International Airport in New Mexico where it had taken off from not long before. (See NTSB report)  The aircraft was substantially damaged and subsequently placed in storage for many years.

This year as a part of the CAF’s 12 Planes of Christmas Campaign, they announced that meatchopper5they were holding a fundraising campaign for this P-47.  The CAF’s goal is to conduct further structural surveys of this Thunderbolt to determine what it will need for its return to flight.  “…Tremendous work has been completed in restoring the aircraft to flying condition, with the fuselage repaired, a new canopy and windshield fitted, the control surfaces rebuilt and painted, and a replacement wing located and purchased.”

Donate to help this Meat Chopper get back in the air and honor those who fought for our freedom!

Photo Credit: Commemorative Air Force (CAF)

Wooden Wonder Down Under

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Mosquito TV959 nearing completion at Avspecs in New Zealand

The Flying Heritage Collection, owned by Paul Allen-of Microsoft fame-is preparing to welcome a new aircraft to the collection.  The aircraft is a De Havilland Mosquito TV959.  TV959 was built at the Leavesden De Havilland factory in the U.K. and delivered to the RAF in 1945.   After fifty year of absence, this Mosquito is getting ready to take back to the skies.

Mosquito TV959 was built in August 1945, too  late to see combat.  From 1945 to 1963 this

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Mosquito TV959 prior to restoration.

aircraft was transferred through 12 squadrons in the RAF.  At the completion of its military service it appeared in the film Squadron 633 before being placed on display at the Imperial War Museum.  In 1992 TV959 was purchased by The Fighter Collection in Duxford  and a restoration to airworthy condition commenced.  Almost 25 years later, TV959 is now owned by Paul Allen’s Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington and its restoration is nearing completion at Avspecs Ltd. in New Zealand.

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Jerry Yagen’s Mosquito KA114 at the Mid Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Weekend 2016.

Avspecs Ltd. restored Jerry Yagen’s Mosquito KA114, which was completed in April 2013.  TV959 will be the second Mosquito restoration to roll out of the Avspecs shop. .  The Warbird Watcher will be standing by with updates on Mosquito TV959’s first flight following its completion.

 

 

 

Photo Credit:

-Avspecs Ltd.

-The Reilly Collection

History courtesy of Warbird Registry

 

 

 

 

 

Help B-29 “DOC” Take to the Skies

imageB-29 44-69972, better know as Doc has undergone a 15 year restoration that has included over 300,000 man hours to complete, after sitting abandoned in the California desert for 42 years.  Doc’s first engine run took place in early September 2015.  Now Doc’s Friends need to raise the necessary funds in order for Doc to complete her flight testing.  The cost of the flight testing is $137,500.  In order to facilitate in the fundraising process Doc’s Friends has started a Kickstarter page, which gave them 30 days to raise the necessary funds.doc3

As of October 3, 2015 there are 26 days remaining in the fundraising period and Doc’s Friends has raised a total of over $30,000 with 300 backers.  In order for Doc’s Friends to receive the money for flight testing they must completely fund their project.  Please help Doc’s Friends to complete their flight testing and get another B-29 back in the sky.

Visit Doc’s Friends Kickstarter Page to Donate and Website For More Information

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Photo Credit: Doc’s Friends

P-38F White 33 On Her Gear

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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

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Photo Credit: N

National Museum of WWII Aviation

Westpac Restorations