Category: News

Fighter ace Geoff Fisken passes away

New Zealander ace Geoff Fisken, DFC, passed away on June 12, 2011. He was credited with 10 to 13 confirmed aerial victories against the Japanese, flying the Brewster Buffalo and later the P-40 Warhawk. He is believed to be the highest-scoring British Commonwealth ace in the Pacific theater. After the war, Fisken returned to his …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/07/06/fighter-ace-geoff-fisken-passes-away/

Bucker Jungmann crashes in Bedfordshire

It seems I’m only posting about crashes or accidents recently.. . 🙁 A Bücker Jungmann (G-RETA) crashed in a field near Old Warden airfield yesterday morning (Sunday, July 3rd). The pilot was only slightly injured. The Jungmann, which ended on its back, is part of the Shuttleworth Collection. More details and a video report can …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/07/04/bucker-jungmann-crashes-in-bedfordshire/

Anna Walker belly-lands Seafire in France

Pilot Anna Walker had to belly-land the Seafire SX336 at Bondues in France on July 2, at 5:30 PM local time. For an unknown reason, the gear did not extend. The aircraft landed on its belly and did a 180° turn before coming to rest. Fortunately, Anna Walker was not injured. It seems the aircraft …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/07/03/anna-walker-belly-lands-seafire-in-france/

Curtiss A-1 replica crashes in Keuka Lake

A replica of a 1911 Curtiss A-1 Triad seaplane crashed in Keuka Lake in Hammondsport, NY, on the evening of Thursday July the 30th. The pilot, 58 year-old Kevin House, was not injured. The replica was flown by the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum and was substantially damaged. It was towed back to shore and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/07/01/curtiss-a-1-replica-crashes-in-keuka-lake/

Seattle Museum of Flight’s B-17F back on display

The Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress “Boeing Bee” s/n 42-29782 is now back on display at the Seattle Museum of Flight after a 20-year long restoration. The bomber, which is considered as one of the most authentic survivors of its type, was last displayed by the SMF in 1999. A photo gallery can be found here. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/07/01/seattle-museum-of-flights-b-17f-back-on-display/

First flight of CFM’s P-51D Mustang “The Brat III”

The Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s P-51D first flew on Wednesday, June 22 after a 4 year restoration. The Mustang now carries its historical wartime colours as “The Brat III”, which was flown by Lt. Hjalmar Johnsen of the 401st FS, 370th FG, 9th AF. Pictures are available on Ezell Aviation’s Facebook page.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/23/first-flight-of-cfms-p-51d-mustang-the-brat-iii/

Air Commodore Peter Cribb

Air Commodore Peter Cribb, who has died aged 92, was one of the most successful and gallant master bombers of the Pathfinder Force; he flew more than 100 wartime operations, including one when he made an unauthorised raid on Hitler’s retreat at Berchtesgaden. Read the obituary on the Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/23/air-commodore-peter-cribb/

Major General John Alison

Major General John Alison, who has died aged 98, was an American fighter “ace” and one of his country’s most decorated pilots; he later fought behind enemy lines with the Chindits and is recognised as the father of US Air Force special operations. Read the obituary on the Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/15/major-general-john-alison/

“Liberty Belle” B-17 force-lands and burns, crew unharmed

(Updated June 15th, 2011 @ 1:00 PM) The Liberty Foundation’s B-17 “Liberty Belle” force-landed and burned in a field southeast of Aurora Municipal Airport, IL, this morning. The seven on board were able to exit the aircraft with no serious injuries but the aircraft was heavily damaged by fire. Shortly after take-off, the pilot reported …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/13/liberty-belle-b-17-crashes-crew-unharmed/

Blue Angels to resume airshow appearance with former CO

The Blue Angels will resume performances for the 2011 season starting on June 18 at the Quad City Air Show. After Cdr Koss stepped down, the team cancelled all of its scheduled appearance. Captain Greg McWherter, the 2010 commanding officer, has returned to lead the team. After two weeks of intensive practice, the Blue Angels …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/10/blue-angels-to-resume-airshow-appearance-with-former-co/

EAA Bleriot XI first flight

EAA’s reproduction of a 1909 Bleriot XI, powered by a 1909 Anzani engine, made its maiden flight on Sunday June 5, 2011 in Oshkosh. The pilot was Tom Hegy. Read the report on the EAA website. Also of interest are the photo gallery and the test plan.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/07/eaa-bleriot-xi-first-flight/

Group Captain John Musgrave

John Musgrave, a RAF Liberator pilot who flew 70 raids in the Far East and Mediterranean theatres, died on April 4, 2011. Read the obituary on the Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/07/group-captain-john-musgrave/

First flight of Collings Foundation Me 262

(Updated June 5) “White 1′, the Collings Foundation’s Messerschmitt Me 262 has flown on June 2, 2011, piloted by John Penney. The flight lasted half an hour and was successful. Pictures of the flight can be found on the Colling Foundation’s Facebook page and an in-cockpit video can be seen on Youtube (see below).

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/04/first-flight-of-collings-foundation-me-262/

Commander Peter Savage

Commander Peter Savage, Fleet Air Arm pilot in World War II and naval aviation tactician, passed away aged 98 on March 21, 2011. Read the obituary on The Telegraph.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/06/01/commander-peter-savage/

B-25 crashes in France

(Updated June 4, 2011 at 6:44PM) More bad news for the warbird community: a B-25 Mitchell crash-landed on May 31st, 2011, in France near Melun-Villaroche, south-east of Paris. It appears the B-25 is F-AZZU, s/n 44-58811, which is known as “Russell’s Raiders” and is well known in France due to its regular appearances at the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2011/05/31/b-25-crashes-in-france/