Category: Restorations

Dakota Air Territory Museum’s P-47D Thunderbolt 42-27609 flies again

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 …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2023/05/26/dakota-air-territory-museums-p-47d-thunderbolt-42-27609-flies-again/

First engine runs for Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 WkNr 410077

The Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 Werk Nr. 410077, under restauration by Midwest Aero Restorations Ltd and belonging to Bruce Winter of San Antonio, Texas, has had its first engine run since 1943, in Danville, Illinois. Midwest Aero Ltd has posted this video of the engine runs on its YouTube channel.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2021/11/17/first-engine-runs-for-messerschmitt-bf109g-6-wknr-410077/

Gloster Sea Gladiator to fly in Malta

On September 6th, the Malta Aviation Museum officially launched its Gloster Sea Gladiator construction project. The museum’s official announcement published on Facebook states that this is probably their most ambitious construction project to date. The project aims to bring together generations of aviation enthusiasts in Malta and abroad, and its ultimate goal is to fly …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2021/09/08/gloster-sea-gladiator-to-fly-in-malta/

Sole surviving NA-50 “Torito” restored in Peru

The only surviving North American NA-50 Torito, a fighter derived from the NA-16/BT-9 trainer, has been restored in Peru by the Servicio de Mantenimiento de la Fuerza Aerea del Perú (Maintenance Service of the Peruvian Air Force) for the Museo Aeronáutico del Perú at Las Palmas. This aircraft, coded XXI-41-3, was one of only seven …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2021/06/21/sole-surviving-na-50-torito-restored-in-peru/

Nieuport 23 replica flies in Switzerland

The Nieuport 23C-1 replica built by Nieuport Memorial Flyers made a successful maiden flight in Grenchen, Switzerland, on 21 September 2020. The aircraft, registered HB-RNA, was flown by Isidor von Arx. It is powered by the rotary engine of a Thulin A (Swedish license-built Blériot XI). This project was started in the year 2000. Its …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2020/10/24/nieuport-23-replica-flies-in-switzerland/

Spitfire T.9 TE308 flies again with new colours

Spitfire T.9 TE308 in 2007 (Photo D. Miller (CC BY 2.0))

Flyaspitfire.com has announced on its Facebook page that it has received approval to start passenger flights with their new twin-seat Spitfire, Spitfire TE308,  which has received a new paint scheme in honor of No 457 Squadron “Grey Nurse” of the Royal Australian Air Force. TE308 was built as a Spitfire Mk IX and did not …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2020/08/16/spitfire-t-9-te308-flies-again-with-new-colours/

Spitfire PR.XIX PS890 flies again in Duxford

Spitfire PR.XIX PS890/F-AZJS at Duxford in 2015 (Photo Alan Wilson (CC BY-SA 2.0))

The Spitfire PR.XIX PS890/F-AZJS flew again on 6 August 2020 at Duxford with John Romain at the controls. The aircraft was heavily damaged in a take-off accident in June 2017 and was sent to Duxford for complete repairs. It still carries its former markings of No 152 Squadron RAF in south-east Asia. The aircraft is …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2020/08/09/spitfire-pr-xix-ps890-flies-again-in-duxford/

BAPA acquires Bendix upper turret for its B-25J Mitchell restoration

The Belgian Aviation Preservation Association was recently able to acquire a Bendix upper turret as part of its B-25J Mitchell restoration project : For several years we have been looking for parts to restore the B-25J to stock configuration. One of the most difficult parts to find has been the very rare Bendix upper turret. …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2020/05/15/bapa-acquires-bendix-upper-turret-for-its-b-25j-mitchell-restoration/

“Greek Spitfire” MJ755 returns to the skies

Spitfire Mk IX MJ755 in 2006 (Photo Matteo Arrotta (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc MJ755, also known as the “Greek Spitfire” for its uncommon markings, flew again on Sunday 19 January 2020 for the first time since 1953. The aircraft, which was brought back to airworthiness by Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, served on the Mediterranean front in 1944 and 1945 and was sold to Greece …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2020/01/23/greek-spitfire-mj755-returns-to-the-skies/

Valiant Air Command’s TBM-3E Avenger returns to flight

Valiant Air Command, Inc.’s General Motors TBM-3E Avenger returned to flight on 11 January 2020 after an 18-year long restoration. The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum is based near Titusville, Florida, and is home to a large collection of aircraft dating from World War I to the present.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2020/01/15/valiant-air-commands-tbm-3e-avenger-returns-to-flight/

The BAPA needs your help to get a Bendix turret for its B-25 Mitchell

A message from the Belgian Aviation Preservation Association The restoration of the Belgian Aviation Preservation Association’s (www.bapa.aero) B-25 Mitchell is an ongoing project, as is the search for parts and equipment to re-equip what initially was an empty B-25 shell. After obtaining the plexiglass canopy of the dorsal turret during the shooting of the “Catch …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/12/09/the-bapa-needs-your-help-to-get-a-bendix-turret-for-its-b-25-mitchell/

Aermacchi MB-326 flies again in Italy

An Aermacchi MB-326K (construction number 6574, registered I-MBCK) flew again on 26 September 2019 in Reggio Emilia near Bologna, Italy. The aircraft was built in the mid 1970s and was intended for the Zairian air force. The aircraft was never delivered due to financial troubles in Zaire and no other owner was ever found, the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/09/29/aermacchi-mb-326-flies-again-in-italy/

Tupolev Tu-2 to be restored to airworthiness in Russia

A Tupolev Tu-2 in flight.

Two Tupolev Tu-2S bombers were recently received by the Novosibirsk State Technical University in Russia. These aircraft served with the Chinese air force before being stored in a museum and were later purchased by John MacGuire of the War Eagles Museum in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Staff at the University plan to restore one of …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/08/31/tupolev-tu-2-to-be-restored-to-airworthiness-in-russia/

Airco DH.9 E8894 flies again in Duxford

The Airco DH.9 E8894 G-CDLI ( Photo © Ashley Stephenson )

The Airco DH.9 E8894 registered G-CDLI of the Historic Aircraft Collection made its first post-restoration flight in Duxford on May 13. The flight lasted 30 minutes and was made with Dodge Bailey at the controls.The aircraft’s restoration was carried out by Retrotech and Aero Vintage Ltd and took over ten years. E8894 is the sole …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/05/14/airco-dh-9-e8894-flies-again-in-duxford/

EAA’s B-25 Mitchell “Berlin Express” flies again

The Experimental Aircraft Association's North American B-25 Mitchell "Berlin Express" on its first post-restoration flight. (Photo © EAA)

The Experimental Aircraft Association’s North American B-25H Michell “Berlin Express” made its forst post-restoration flight on 20 April 2019 after a four and a half-year restoration. The aircraft is notably known for its role in the movie “Catch-22”. Photo & video © Experimental Aircraft Association

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/04/28/eaas-b-25-mitchell-berlin-express-flies-again/