A father and son, sharing a deep passion for restoring vintage watches and airplanes, have combined their love for both into something truly special.
Inspired by the legendary SV-4B, an aircraft that played a pivotal role in Belgian aviation history, they’ve crafted a watch that honors its legacy. Built in Alfred Renard’s factory in Evere, the SV-4B was the backbone of the Belgian Air Force’s training fleet after World War II.
This limited edition watch, with only 65 pieces available, is more than just a timepiece – it’s a tribute to the spirit of innovation and excellence. Each watch features the iconic silhouette of the SV-4B on a sleek black dial, and the case back is engraved with a unique number from V 1 to V 65, making each one as unique as the plane it represents. Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2024/09/11/introducing-the-sv-4b-limited-edition-watch-a-tribute-to-the-legends-of-aviation-history-stampe-vertongen/
The Hawaii Mars at EAA AirVenture in 2016 (Photo Pete Markham (CC BY-SA 2.0))
The Hawaii Mars, one of the largest and most iconic flying boats in the world, has taken flight for the first time since 2016. This event marks a significant milestone in the plan to fly it to the British Columbia Aviation Museum later this month.
After a series of successful taxi tests, the Martin JRM Mars took off from Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, on August 1st. During this first test flight in eight years, the crew had to shut down the number 4 engine before reaching the planned altitude of 6,000 feet. Despite this minor setback, the Hawaii Mars returned safely after a short circuit around the lake. With the issue resolved, the plane successfully flew again on August 2nd. Continue reading
The Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota, announced the successful test flight of their restored SB2C-5 Helldiver on July 22, 2024, marking its first flight since 1945.
The Helldiver, built in early 1945 and originally stationed at Naval Air Field Newport, Rhode Island, and NAS Dahlgren, Virginia, crashed during a test flight on July 24, 1945, killing the pilot, LTJG Mark Gilbert. The backseater, RM3 Edward Pierce, survived with a broken leg. The crash’s cause remains unclear, but it is believed the torpedo it carried for testing came loose.
The wreckage, recovered years later, was partially used by the National Air and Space Museum before Fagen Fighters WWII Museum acquired it and embarked on a 17-year restoration project. The first engine runs were completed on October 7, 2023.
On July 22, 2024, pilot Ed Vesely flew the restored Helldiver. The aircraft was then showcased at the EAA AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2024/08/04/restored-fagen-fighters-wwii-museum-sb2c-5-helldiver-flies-again-after-79-years/
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire Mk IX MK356 (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))
The Spitfire Mk IX MK356 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight crashed on Saturday, May 25, not far from its base at RAF Coningsby. The pilot, whose identity has not yet been revealed, tragically died in the accident.
According to witnesses, the Spitfire appeared to have suffered an engine failure.
Built in early 1944, the Spitfire Mk IX MK356 was returned to flight in 1997. This is the first fatal accident since the commemorative unit was established in 1957.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased pilot as well as to the members of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Richard Bong seen with his P-38 decorated with a photo of his girlfriend Marjorie Vattendahl (photo source: Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center)
Bud Anderson and the Mustang “Old Crow” (Photo Roger Freeman Collection via American Air Museum in Britain)
The famous American pilot and ace, Clarence Emil “Bud” Anderson, passed away on Friday, May 17th. He was 102 years old.
Born on January 13, 1922, in Oakland, United States, “Bud” Anderson served as a fighter pilot during World War II with the 357th Fighter Group and ended the war with a total of 16.25 victories obtained over the course of 116 combat missions, fought at the commands of his P-51D Mustang ‘Old Crow’.
Becoming a test pilot postwar, he was successively stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB and Edwards AFB before finishing his professional career at McDonnell Douglas.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the family and loved ones of Clarence Emil “Bud” Anderson.
After an extraordinary 81 years of dedicated service, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is retiring its fleet of Douglas C-47 Dakotas. These aircraft, known for their robustness and versatility, have been a mainstay of South African military aviation since 1943. The SAAF was the last military operator of the C-47, meaning the type is now officially retired from military service after an 8-decade career.
The Douglas C-47 Dakota, the military version of the DC-3, first flew on 23 December 1941 and was used extensively during World War II. The aircraft’s durability and adaptability made it invaluable for various missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, and cargo delivery. The SAAF received its first C-47s in 1943, and these planes played a significant role in the Border War from 1966 to 1989, supporting operations in Namibia and Angola. Continue reading
Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2024/05/17/after-80-years-the-last-c-47-dakotas-in-military-service-worldwide-are-being-retired/
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We covered the first flight a few months ago : Dakota Air Territory Museum’s P-47D Thunderbolt 42-27609 flies again. The YouTube channel AirshowStuff has shared this video of the display of the Dakota Territory Air Museum’s P-47 Thunderbolt flown by Bernie Vasquez during the latest gathering at Oshkosh.
This P-47D Thunderbolt won the Grand Champion trophy in the WW2 warbirds category.
On Friday, August 25th, at Sywell in the United Kingdom, English pilot Pete Kynsey conducted the first post-restoration flight of the North American P-51D 45-11518, registered as G-CLNV on the British civil register.
Restored by Air Leasing Ltd, led by Richard Grace, this P-51 was built in 1945 and was taken over by the Royal New Zealand Air Force in August of the same year, where it was given the serial NZ2427. Continue reading
A U.S. Navy Grumman F4F-3 in early 1942.(Photo US Navy)
The pilot of the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat AX733 (registered G-KINL) was seriously wounded in a crash at Heveningham Hall near Halesworth, Suffolk, in the United-Kingdom.
Thankfully, the few available sources seem to indicate that the pilot’s injuries were non-life-threatening and that he has left the hospital. Continue reading
It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Paul Ehlen. He crashed yesterday afternoon in Curtiss P-40E Warhawk ‘AK753’, registered as N4420K and belonging to the Wings of the North Air Museum, near Hamilton, Montana.
Paul Ehlenpilot and owner of the Curtiss P-40E (Photo via WOTN Facebook page)
Little information is available about this tragic event but the police announced that Paul Ehlen, the museum’s founder, was at the controls and did not survive the crash. Continue reading
Gorgeous footage of the first flight of Lockheed VC-121A Constellation “Bataan”, which once served as the personal transport for General MacArthur, has been uploaded by Skyes9 on YouTube :
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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2023/06/26/watch-footage-of-lockheed-vc-121a-constellation-bataan-returning-to-flight/
Lockheed VC-121A Constellation 8613 “Bataan” (N422NA) in 2016. (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))
Lewis Air Legend’s Lockheed VC-121A Constellation “Bataan”, which served as General MacArthur’s personal aircraft, flew again on 21 June 2023 after an eight-year restoration by Fighter Rebuilders in Chino, California. Footage of the first flight can be viewed on Lewis Air Legend’s Facebook page:
The Lockheed VC-121A Constellation “Bataan” holds a rich history spanning several decades. Originally delivered to the USAF in January 1949 as C-121A 48-613, it played a crucial role in the Berlin Airlift by flying the Westover AFB-Rhein-Main route. In 1950, it underwent conversion to a VC-121A and became the first aircraft of its kind to be equipped with the APS-10 weather radar.
From September 1950 to April 1951, it served as the personal aircraft of General MacArthur, Supreme Commander Allied Powers during the Korean War, and receoved the name “Bataan”. It was also General Ridgeway’s personal aircraft from 1952 to 1953. It was later transferred to HQ, Pacific Air Command as a VIP transport until late 1965, when it was declared surplus by the USAF and flown to Davis-Monthan AFB for storage in January 1966. Continue reading
P-47D Thunderbolt 42-27609 during its first flight with Bernie Vasquez at the controls. (Photo courtesy Ben Redman via AirCorps Aviation)
Following a lengthy restoration period by AirCorps Aviation, Republic P-47D-23-RA Thunderbolt serial number 42-27609 took to the skies again on 16 May 2023 in Bemidji, Minnesota. The first flight was a success and was flown by Bernie Vasquez, with Warren Pietsch and Ben Redman flying chase in P-51D Mustang “Miss Kitty III”.
The aircraft belongs to the Dakota Territory Air Museum and will carry the markings of the P-47D Thunderbolt “Bonnie” flown by Major Bill Dunham, commanding officer of the 460th Fighter Squadron in the Philippines in 1944. Continue reading
Sadly, this is not a bad joke or an April’s Fool. The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), the organizer of the National Championship Air Races at Reno-Stead Airport, Nevada, announced on 9 March that the Reno Air Races will no longer take place at the world-renowned Reno-Stead Airport after this year’s edition, from 13 to 17 September 2023.
The races have been held at Reno-Stead in Nevada since 1964, a location that saw tens of thousands of aviation and racing enthusiasts gather from around the world to enjoy the racing and notably the “Unlimited class” of racers which sees Mustangs, Sea Furies and Bearcats battling for the lead. Continue reading
A father and son, sharing a deep passion for restoring vintage watches and airplanes, have combined their love for both into something truly special.
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