Blog Archive

Dennis “Squire” Wilkins, who has died aged 87, was a Fleet Air Arm pilot, a mainstay of the England rugby XV for three seasons, and a successful businessman in the paper trade. Read his obituary on the Telegraph.

Air Commodore Peter Scott, who has died aged 87, flew 40 combat missions with the USAF during the Korean War and played a key role in the introduction into RAF service of the Javelin all-weather fighter. Read his obituary on the Telegraph.

The Fighter Collection’s P-47G Thunderbolt made its first taxi runs today. Photos are available on the Friends of the TFC’s blog.

Lt-Cdr ‘Cherry’ Westwood, who had died aged 90, flew with 880 Naval Air Squadron, which took part in almost every naval fighter operation of the Second World War. Read his obituary on The Telegraph.

Squadron Leader John Austin, who has died aged 94, was one of the RAF’s longest-serving special duties pilots, and dropped agents and supplies to Resistance movements in eight countries in occupied Europe. Read his obituary on The Telegraph.

The Swedish Air Force Historic Flight recently received notification that the AJS 37 Viggen that they are planning to restore to flight status will receive civilian registration SE-DXN. Source

After 62 years, the remains of nine British and three Malaysian soldiers were recovered at the crash site of their airplane. The aircraft was a Dakota, which crashed in the jungle near Gua Musang in Malaysia on 25 August 1950. Following the crash, which was due to engine trouble, an expedition found the wreckage but …

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Cockpit fogging caused the accident at EAA Airventure’s airshow, which resulted in the F-16 Falcon overshooting the runway and causing serious damage to the aircraft. Source

The Antique Airplane Association presented the recently-restored Vought V-173 Flying Flapjack to the public last week. The aircraft will join the Frontiers of Flight museum in Dallas. Visit the AAA’s website for pictures of this unusual aircraft.

The Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset have acquired a British Aerospace Harrier GR9A serial number ZD433. The aircraft will be on public display from 22 February to 21 May 2012 providing a rare opportunity to see a modern fighter aircraft in battle condition. This aircraft is the most recent acquisition to the Museum’s collection …

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Wing Commander ‘Mac’ Furze, who has died aged 83, was a Cold War bomber pilot, competed in the London to Christchurch Air Race and was involved in trials of the British airborne nuclear weapon. Read his obituary on the Telegraph.

Air Marshal Sir Alfred Ball, who has died aged 91, was one of the RAF’s outstanding reconnaissance pilots in the Second World War and later filled senior national and international appointments. Read his obituary on The Telegraph.

A 71-year-old from Maryborough and a 61-year-old from Harcourt died last night after the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane they were flying in hit trees at Maryborough yesterday. The pilot was the owner of the plane. The cause of the crash is unknown. Source Source (2)  

An Aero L-39 Albators jet crashed shortly after take-off in North Carolina on Friday, Januray 20th. The pilot was killed in the accident. Source.

Read this story on Vintage Wings of Canada’s website.