Category: Restorations

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/

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 flies again in France

Morane-Saulnier MS.733 n°134 F-WYOT ( Photo © Vintage Aircraft Midi Pyrénées )

On 17 March 2019, the Morane-Saulnier MS.733 Alcyon No. 134 (registered F-WYOT) made its first flight after a four-year restoration. This first test flight lasted thirty minutes, and was made with gear extended. Five other flights were made since. This aircraft is a former French air force example, and was purchased by a Swiss owner …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/04/04/morane-saulnier-ms-733-flies-again-in-france/

First official flight for XP-82 Twin Mustang prototype

The North American XP-82 Twin Mustang 44-83887 on test flight over Sierras in 1945 (Photo USAF)

After an unexpected first flight on 31 December, the prototype of Tom Reilly’s North American XP-82 Twin Mustang made its first “official” flight on Monday 28 January. Ray Fowler was again at the controls of the XP-82 for this “second first flight”, which went very well. Warbird Digest made this video showing the first flight. You …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/01/30/first-official-flight-for-xp-82-twin-mustang-prototype/

Unexpected first flight for XP-82 Twin Mustang prototype

The North American XP-82 Twin Mustang 44-83887 on test flight over Sierras in 1945 (Photo USAF)

Tom Reilly’s North American XP-82 Twin Mustang prototype made an unexpected first flight on 31 December 2018 during a high-speed taxi test. Ray Fowler, who was at the controls, flew the aircraft after picking up too much speed to stop safely within the remaining runway length, and flew for about five minutes before bringing back …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/01/02/unexpected-first-flight-for-xp-82-twin-mustang-prototype/

Spitfire PR.XIX PS890 to fly again in 2019 following post-accident restoration

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

The French newspaper Le Républicain Lorrain reports that the Spitfire PR.XIX registered F-AZJS, which was damaged in a take-off accident in June 2017, is currently being restored by Historic Flying Limited in the United-Kingdom as well as in the USA. The aircraft is expected to fly again  in the spring of 2019. More information and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/11/26/spitfire-pr-xix-ps890-to-fly-again-in-2019-following-post-accident-restoration/

Thomas-Morse S-4B Scout flies again

The Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation’s Thomas-Morse S-4B Scout recently made its first post-restauration flight. The aircraft was donated to the foundation in 2010 and was meticulously restored to airworthiness. More information is available from Aerodynamic Media.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/10/24/thomas-morse-s-4b-scout-flies-again/

Unique Moynet M.360 Jupiter flies again in France

First flight of the Moynet Jupiter (Photo © Espace Air Passion)

The Moynet M.360/6 Jupiter made its new maiden flight on July 26 in France after a lengthy restoration done by Espace Air Passion/GPPA (Groupement de Préservation du Patrimoine Aéronautique). The test crew was composed of Christian Ravel and Jean-Pierre Lambin. The Moynet M360/6 was built in 1965 and had not flown since 1978. Designed as an …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/08/02/unique-moynet-m-360-jupiter-flies-again-in-france/

CAC Boomerang nearing return to flight in Australia

CAC Boomerang (via Wikipedia)

Two CAC Boomerangs are currently being restored in Brisbane, Australia. One of these, serial A46-54, is almost finished and should be flying soon. Out of 250 Boomerangs built between 1942 and 1945, only about ten have been preserved. Read the full story on Warbirds News.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2018/07/11/cac-boomerang-nearing-return-to-flight-in-australia/