Category: News

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver discovered off Florida coast

Divers from Jupiter, Florida, have discovered the wreck of a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver lying on its back at a depth of 185 ft. The aircraft seems to be in good shape. Its exact identity is unknown. Source.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2012/01/03/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-discovered-off-florida-coast/

TSWM P-40 damaged in landing accident

The P-40M restored to flying condition by the Tri-State Warbird Museum was damaged in a landing accident. The aircraft was flown by 50 year-old Paul Redlich, President of the Tri-State Warbird Museum, when the engine blew a piston. With smoke and oil coming from the engine, Redlich managed to bring the aircraft back to Clermont …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/12/11/tswm-p-40-damaged-in-landing-accident/

Help the Planes of Fames museum build a Korean War memorial

You can help Planes of Fame win a $50,000 grant! If you click on the link below, you will be directed to thePepsi Refresh project. If we get the most votes, the Museum will receive $50,000 from Pepsi towards the POF’s Korean War Memorial, featuring an F-86 Sabre and a MiG-15. http://www.refresheverything.com/koreanwarmemorialatplanesoffame

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/12/08/help-the-planes-of-fames-museum-build-a-korean-war-memorial/

F-111 memorial inaugurated in Australia

A memorial to honour the memory of the pilots who were killed flying the F-111 and also the mechanics who developed health problems while working on the aircraft was inaugurated at RAAF base Amberley. Some 40 guest and 100 base personnel were present for the inauguration. Source

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/12/04/f-111-memorial-inaugurated-in-australia/

Aviodrome air theme park goes bankrupt

Sad news: due to the poor economic conditions, the Nationaal Luchtvaart-Themapark Aviodrome aviation theme park, better known as the Aviodrome, has filed for bankruptcy according to this Dutch news website. The future of the park and its extensive collection is unknown at this time, although it would seem some investors have lately shown interest.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/29/aviodrome-air-theme-park-goes-bankrupt/

France: Memorial Flight’s Sopwith 1B2 Strutter almost finished

Memorial Flight has finished the assembly of its Sopwith 1B2 Strutter and is now finishing the paint work on the aircraft before it leaves for La Ferté-Alais. The aircraft carries an unusual but historically accurate, representing an aircraft from Escadrille Sop 66. The Memorial Flight is a non-profit organisation formed in 1988 which aims to …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/29/france-memorial-flights-sopwith-1b2-strutter-almost-finished/

Twenty-three F-111 disposed of in landfill in Australia

Twenty-three retired F-111 Aardvark of the Royal Australian Air Force have been buried in a landfill in Swanbank, Australia. This has provoked angry reactions from quite a few people in Australia, who believe the aircraft should have been given to museums and municipalities to preserve Australian aviation history. Only seven F-111 have found their way …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/26/twenty-three-f-111-disposed-of-in-landfill-in-australia/

Flight Lieutenant Charles Palliser †

Flight Lieutenant Charles Palliser, who has died aged 92, shot down four enemy aircraft and shared in the destruction of seven others while flying Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain and, a year later, over Malta. Read his obituary on the Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/24/flight-lieutenant-charles-palliser-%e2%80%a0/

Vigna di Valle museum exposes restaured Ro.43

On November 17, a restaured IMAM Ro.43 was unveiled at the Italian Air Force museum in Vigna di Valle, and will be added to the museum’s exhibits. The aircraft was restored over a two year period and was inaugurated in presence of General Giuseppe Bernardi, the Italian AF chief of staff and Major General Giuseppe …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/19/vigna-di-valle-museum-exposes-restaured-ro-43/

Huey pilot injured in forced landing

The pilot of a UH-1H Huey helicopter (N502AW) was wounded when he crash-landed his machine near Grand Canyon Valle Airport, Arizona on November 15. The pilot, Jeff Boatman, reported a transmission problem and then proceeded to make the landing. He was trapped inside the wreckage but was freed by emergency services. He is reported as …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/17/huey-pilot-injured-in-forced-landing/

Red Arrows pilot killed in ejection seat accident

Less than three months after the tragedy that cost Jon Egging his life, another pilot of the Red Arrows display team died yesterday. F/L Sean Cunningham was killed yesterday when his ejection seat fired while his aircraft was at a standstill.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/09/red-arrows-pilot-killed-in-ejection-seat-accident/

Airco DH.2 flies from Wickenby, UK to Albert, France

An Airco DH.2 flown Stewart Smith will fly from Wickenby, UK, to Albert, France, to take part in the commemorations on November 11th and overfly a memorial to Lanoe Hawker, VC, that was recently built in Ligny Thilloy. The trip will be flown in three legs, and the crew has already succesfully made the two …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/08/airco-dh-2-flies-from-wickenby-uk-to-albert-france/

Supermarine Swift for sale on eBay

The world’s only known surviving Supermarine Swift has been put up for sale on eBay.co.uk, with a base price of £ 250,000. The aircraft hasn’t flown in 40 years and was displayed in front of a camping and clothing shop in Leominster, Herefordshire.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/07/supermarine-swift-for-sale-on-ebay/

Brigadier General Dick Lord †

Brigadier General Dick Lord, the Fleet Air Arm pilot who has died aged 75, was instrumental in the development of America’s Top Gun fighter pilot academy, made famous by the film of the same name. Read his obituary on the Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/07/brigadier-general-dick-lord-%e2%80%a0/

A-26 Invader to be restored in France

A Douglas A-26 Invader recently arrived in Avignon and should be restored. It is A-26B-45-DL s/n 44-34172, built by Douglas in Long Beach, California. Sold as surplus in 1958, the airframe was owned by several different companies and individuals.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/11/05/a-26-invader-to-be-restored-in-france/