Curtiss P-40E 41-13570

August 13, 2015 by Leave a Comment

p-40e41-13570This 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.”

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Information Sources and Photo Credits:

http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/articles/sheppard/p40recovery/

Pioneer Aero


Filed Under: P-40 Warhawk, Restoration Project Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Great News From the Collings Foundation

August 11, 2015 by 10 Comments
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Filed Under: B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, Collings Foundation, Museum, P-38 Lightning, P-40 Warhawk, P-51 Mustang, Restoration Project Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Heritage Aircraft Collection

August 11, 2015 by 2 Comments
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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.

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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:

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Video Credit: Heritage Aircraft

Filed Under: Golden Age Aviation, Heritage Aircraft Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Composer James Horner Dies at 61

June 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Pzg7-IUXY

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Shorts S312 Tucano in flight, the same type of aircraft Mr. Horner was flying at the time of his accident.

Composer James Horner, known for his works in Titanic, Avatar, and Braveheart, was tragically killed in a plane crash outside of Santa Barbra, California while flying his Shorts S312 Tucano.  He was 61.  Mr. Horner was a friend of the aviation community. He composed a piece of music for the Horsemen Cometh, now the Bremont Horsemen aerobatic team, the Horsemen fly to Horner’s piece at airshows around the country.  His legacy will live on, rest in peace.

Photo Credit: http://johncnyren.com/-/johncnyren/gallery.asp?LID=&photoID=13112788&cat=40669

Filed Under: Accident, James Horner Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Warbird Watcher Recognized By Connecticut Air And Space Center

June 21, 2015 by Leave a Comment

 

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Steve Ferraro, part of the T-33 Crew, posing with the new gear door. Photo Credit: Connecticut Air and Space Center

Thank you to our friends at Connecticut Air and Space Center for your shout out with regard to the gear door, we helped locate for your TV-2 Seastar.  Pretty cool, that you guys were able to acquire one after nearly 15 years of searching. One step closer to completion. Keep up the good work.

Donate or get involved at the Connecticut Air and Space Center help save history!

 

Filed Under: Connecticut Air and Space Museum, Restoration Project, T-33 Shooting Star Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The C-47 That Led the D-Day Invasion- “That’s All Brother”

June 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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“That’s All Brother” C-47 42-92847 on June 5, 1944.

The C-47 42-92847 “That’s All Brother”, the aircraft that led the D-day Invasion on June 6, 1944 will be acquired by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).  “That’s All Brother” is currently owned by Basler Turbo Conversions, a company that rebuilds C-47’s and DC-3’s and replaces their radial engines with turboprop engines.  The CAF recently launched a kickstarter campaign and within days the $75,000 goal to purchase the aircraft was reached.  With the campaign being open until July 5, 2015, the CAF has stretched its goal to $250,000 which covers the cost of complete restoration to “That’s All Brother”‘s original condition.

To help support the restoration of “That’s All Brother” please donate through the CAF’s kickstarter page by clicking the picture:

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That’s All Brother C-47 42-92847 nose art.

Filed Under: C-47, CAF, D-Day, Main Menu Tagged With: , , , ,
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