Blog Archive

Flight Lieutenant Eric Atkins †

Flight Lieutenant Eric Atkins, who has died aged 90, flew 60 low-level bombing raids with a Polish Mosquito squadron and was twice decorated with the DFC; he also won the Polish Cross of Valour on two occasions. Read his obituary on the Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/flight-lieutenant-eric-atkins-%e2%80%a0/

Spitfire pilot banned from sitting in cockpit by health and safety rules

Eric Carter, who flew Spitfires and Hurricanes in combat in World War Two, was recently denied the permission to climb into the cockpit of a Spitfire by the authorities of the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent because the cockpit paint had traces of radioactive material and no proper seat installed. The museum officials …

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Static F-86 display dedicated to Korean War ace

by 1st Lt. Robert Howard Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs 1/4/2012 – JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) — Pacific Air Forces and 15th Wing leaders dedicated a newly repainted static F-86E Sabre fighter aircraft to a former PACAF vice commander during a ceremony here Dec. 29. Gen. Gary North rededicated the aircraft here to retired Lt. Gen. Winton …

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MAD restores retro-painted AH-1 for Centennial of Naval Aviation

The Marine Aviation Detachment at China Lake has carried out the restoration of an AH-1J and painted it with the colours of 1975 Viet Nam era VX-5 helicopter at China Lake – including the markings and Kelly green stripe on the tail. Source

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/mad-restores-retro-painted-ah-1-for-centennial-of-naval-aviation/

Captain Jeff Gledhill †

Captain Jeff Gledhill, who has died aged 90, divebombed the German battleship Tirpitz and fought to preserve the Australian carrier Melbourne. Read his obituary on the Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/captain-jeff-gledhill/

UK: Nimrod R1 now open to public

An electronic surveillance Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1 can now be visited at the East Midlands Aeropark in Leicestershire. Source

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/uk-nimrod-r1-now-open-to-public/

New-Zealander Skyhawks finally sold?

The seemingly never-ending saga of the New-Zealanders A-4 Skyhawk is about to end, according to Stuff.co.nz. These aircraft were retired and mothballed in 2001. After numerous legal complications, some of them were given to museums, while the remaining airframes have been sold for $7.9 million to JDI Holdings, a US company that intends to fly …

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USA: Fairchild PT-19 flies again

A Fairchild PT-19 which had not flown since 1965 took to the air again on October 26th after a four and a half year restored by Don Newman. The 30-minute flight was uneventful, with only minor problems needing attention. Source

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/usa-fairchild-pt-19-flies-again/

RAF Museum Cosford adds Spitfire PR XIX to its display

The RAF Museum in Cosford is now displaying Spitfire Mk XIX PM651 as part of its collection. The aircraft was used in a static role in the movie “The Battle of Britain” and later served as a gate guard at RAF Benson, before going to the RAF Museum in 1989 and being restored in 2010. …

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Annie “Spitfire” Penrose †

Annie Penrose, whose childhood nickname was given to the legendary British fighter, died on October 2, 2011. Read her obituary on The Telegraph.

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Video: Fw 190 Wk.Nr. 173056 first flight

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USA: P-51D landing gear collapses

A P-51D Mustang’s right main landing gear collapsed after landing at Northeast Florida Regional Airport at St. Augustine.  The two people on board were not injured but the aircraft received some damage. The P-51D Mustang belongs to Leestown Aviation and is believed to be NL751RB / “Glamorous Gal”. Source

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/usa-p-51d-landing-gear-collapses/

Reno Air Races crash: beware of internet rumours

A fake email allegedly by race pilot Matt Jackson has been circulating on the internet, claiming the trim tab was not the cause of the accident but a consequence of it. Matt Jackson has confirmed he was not the author of the email and that what is related in it is completely untrue. At this …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/reno-air-races-crash-beware-of-internet-rumours/

Estrella Warbirds Museum receives MiG-15

On Saturday October 1st, a MiG-15 landed at Paso Robles Municipal Airport in California, and was towed to the Estrella Warbirds Museum. The aircraft will join the museum’s collection, and is on long-term loan from a private individual. Source

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/asides/estrella-warbirds-museum-receives-mig-15/

Sign the petition in support of the Canadian Air & Space Museum

An online petition to keep the CASM in its premises can be signed here. Background: On Tuesday September 20 2011 the Canadian Air & Space Museum was handed a notice of eviction by its landlords, the Crown Corporation Parc Downsview Park. The locks were immediately changed and the Museum was essentially closed with no notice. …

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