A Spitfire Mk II at Duxford (Photo Brian Proctor (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)).
The latest news about the great Spitfire search in Burma seems quite pessimistic. David Cundall, followed by thousands of aviation enthusiasts, was hoping to locate dozens of Spitfire buried in crates in Burma at the end of the Second World War.
The research team began diggin recently but has only dug up metal sheets that were used to build the runway during the war for the moment.
In addition, Burmese authorities intervened this Wednesday and halted the search, following rumours that the team was tunnelling beneath Rangoon international airport’s runway. The team was finally allowed to resume their search but is now limited to using showels and can no longer use mechanized diggers. Continue reading
On the 6th and 7th of February, an auction sale organized by Bonhams in Paris will feature the DH.60 Gipsy Moth G-AAMY, which was used during the shooting of the Oscar-winning movie « Out of Africa », starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.
This aircraft, built in 1929, is still airworthy and is regularly seen on airshows, where its beautiful and classic lines and colours are appreciated by aviation lovers. Continue reading
The Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust Spitfire PR.XIX (PS853) was damaged on Monday when its landing gear failed upon landing at East Midlands airport. The aircraft came to a halt on the runway, which was closed for a few hours.
The pilot was unharmed, and the extent of damage suffered by the aircraft is unknown.
Available photos show the aircraft back on its wheels, with its propellers broken off. Continue reading
Brand-new Tempest Mk II on the factory line in 1945. (Photo IWM)
Having arrived in Texas last October, Tempest Mk II MW404 should be restored to airworthiness over the next 5 years. The restoration could take longer as the exact state of preservation of the aircraft needs to be assesed. It will be powered by a Curtiss-Wright R-3350 engine, in remplacement of the original Bristol Centaurus.
MW404 flew for two years with the Royal Air Force, before being bought back by Hawker to be refubished and sold to the Indian Air Force.
I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year! May 2013 be a great year for you and for aviation! Thanks to all for following this blog, which is getting more and more popular.
Lancaster “Just Jane” taxiing for the public. (Photo Graham Hodgson (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0))
Lancaster NX611 “Just Jane” could fly soon according to this BBC article. The four-engined bomber is currently only able to taxi and is regularly displayed to the public at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre.
A fourth Merlin engine has been obtained for “Just Jane”, which was needed to make her fly again. The bomber belongs to brothers Fred and Harold Panton, who restored in memory of their brother, who was killed in a Lancaster in 1944.
Le Spitfire Mk IX RR232 en cours de restauration (Photo Andy (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0))
The Spitfire Mk IX RR232 / G-BSRF made its maiden flight at Filton, in the UK, on December 18 with test pilot Bill Perrins at the commands. The date was also the last day of operations of Filton airport, which was definitively closed on December 18.
The Spitfire had not flown in 61 years and was restored under Martin Phillip’s leadership. Photos of the restauration and first flight can be found on VMI Engineering’s website.
A former Swiss AF de Havilland Vampire in flight. (Photo jmbaud74 (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))
A former Swiss AF DH.100 Vampire and an Alouette III helicopter will be auctioned by Artcurial on February 17, 2013 in Paris. The Vampire is expected to be sold between 70,000 and 90,000€ and will include a spare Goblin 35B engine, ejector seats, anti-G suit and various spare parts.
The Alouette III is expected to be sold for 30,000 to 40,000€. Other aviation-related items will also be sold: Concorde and fighter parts, photographs, models, etc.
In 1958, Roger Topp, Co of 111 Squadron, flew Hawker Hunter FGA.9 XG194 as the lead aircraft in a 22-aircraft formation which was looped at the Farnborough Air Show. The aircraft was preserved and carried several paint schemes, including one imitating a Soviet Sukhoi for training purposes.
Restored in 2009 at Wattisham, the aircraft was recently painted in the colours it carried at the time of its record-breaking flight.
A restored Spitfire Mk XVI (Photo Patrick Cardinal (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0))
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI TE311 flew again for the first time in 58 years on October 29. It took twelve years for the BBMF team to restore this aircraft to airworthiness.
Although TE311 is not itself a combat veteran, it carries the colours of the aircraft flown by Squadron Leader Tony Reeves, CO of No 74 Squadron from MArch to May 1945.
A preserved A-26 Invader in flight. (Photo Javier Pedreira (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0))
After a 9-year restoration process, the Douglas A-26C Invader s/n 43-22499 nicknamed “Reida Rae” was unveiled on October 6th at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT.
The aircraft flew combat missions with the 416th Bombardment Group of 9th Air Force in Europe from December 1944 to August 1945 (sic). Twelve 416th BG veterans were present at the NEAM for the unveiling.
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 in service with the Finnish Air Force.
Since 2006, Michael Rinner has been building a Messerschmitt Bf 109G in Althofen, Austria, using newly-manufactured parts that were either reverse-engineered or based on original drawings. The fuselage is now largely complete and the next major step is creating a set of wings for the aircraft. It is hoped that it will fly in late 2013.
The aircraft is expected to carry the colours of a Bf 109G-2 from JagdGeschwader 52, based on the Eastern front in May 1943.
A Panavia Tornado F.3 (Photo Jerry Gunner (CC BY 2.0)).
The time has come to start looking for Christmas presents and World Warbird News has found a present you should get for yourself: a Panavia Tornado F.3.
The aircraft is sold by Yorkshire-based Jet Art Aviation Ltd, which is known for having sold several other RAF surplus aircraft in the past. This Tornado has been restored to a presentation status and will not fly anymore. Its engines and APU has been removed but the cockpit is quite complete and includes the two ejector seats.
Only one of these nifty Christmas presents is available, so don’t wait for too long if you’re interested! 🙂
Roland de la Poype, a French ace of the Normandie-Niémen group, died aged 92 at Saint-Tropez in Southern France on 23 October.
Roland Paulze d’Ivoy de la Poype, Compagnon de la Libération and Hero of the Soviet Union, was one of the first Frenchmen to rejoin General de Gaulle in June 1940. He volunteered to fight on the Eastern Front with the Free French Normandie fighter group and was credited with 16 aerial victories. Continue reading
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