Collings Foundation – World Warbird News

Collings Foundation’s F-100F Super Sabre returns to the skies

World Warbird News — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 17:05:12 +0000

The Collings Foundation’s F-100F 56-3844 in 2014 (Photo Christopher Ebdon (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0))

On Memorial Day 2025, the Collings Foundation’s rare North American F-100F Super Sabre, one of only two airworthy examples globally, took to the skies once again. Piloted by Rick Sharpe, curator of the Vietnam War Flight Museum in Houston, Texas, the aircraft participated in a commemorative formation flight honoring fallen service members. This significant event marked the culmination of extensive restoration efforts by museum staff and volunteers, including the installation of modern avionics to comply with current airspace regulations.

The F-100F, serial number 56-3844, boasts a rich operational history. Delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1957, it served with the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing in Europe before joining the Texas Air National Guard. After its military service, the aircraft saw civilian use in Europe and the U.S., flying under various liveries, including the USAF Thunderbirds. Now restored and painted to honor Medal of Honor recipient Colonel George “Bud” Day, the jet stands as a flying tribute to the legacy of Vietnam War aviators.

While the jet is operated by the Collings Foundation, it is now based at the Vietnam War Flight Museum, founded in 2002 by Rick Sharpe and dedicated to preserving the history and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans. The successful return of the F-100F to flight status underscores the museum’s commitment to this mission and highlights the collaborative efforts between the museum and the Collings Foundation in keeping aviation history alive.

Read the full story on Vintage Aviation News.

Seven killed in B-17 “Nine O Nine” crash

World Warbird News — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 20:47:01 +0000

The Collings Foundation ‘s Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” (Photo Chris Kennedy (CC BY-NC 2.0))

More information has been released by authorities concerning the crash of the B-17 “Nine O Nine”. It is now being reported that seven were killed, and seven wounded (including one person on the ground).

The status of the survivors is not known as authorities are understandably declining to provide more details until the families of the victims have been properly informed.

Sources and witnesses indicate that the aircraft had reported engine trouble to ATC and was about to land on runway 06 of Bradley Internation Airport when it struck the ILS equipment located near the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to veer to the right and cross the grass surfaces and taxiway next to the runway before colliding with de-icing facilities.

Several casualties in Collings Foundation B-17 Flying Fortress crash

World Warbird News — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 19:19:14 +0000

The Collings Foundation ‘s Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” (Photo Chris Kennedy (CC BY-NC 2.0))

The Collings Foundation’s Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Nine O Nine” crashed this morning shortly before 10:00 AM at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut.

Available information on this tragic accident is incomplete and in many cases conflicting, but it appears at least two were killed. Several other were wounded, including one person on the ground. It is reported that 13 people were on board “Nine O Nine”: two pilots and a crewmember, as well as ten passengers.

It appears the aircraft ran into mechanical problems shortly after takeoff and that the accident happened as the pilots were landing the heavy bomber, which ended its run in buildings and was almost entirely destroyed by fire.

We’ll post more information when they become available.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the victims and their relatives.

Sources:

Collings Foundation F-4 Phantom II flies again

World Warbird News — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 09:04:03 +0000

From Warbirds News: “The Collings Foundation‘s F-4 Phantom II is now the only flying example of its kind in North America. She took to the skies again in the capable hands of former US Air Force ‘Rhino’-driver Harry “D-Day” Daye at 10:50am local time on August 8th, 2017 from Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Listed on the US civil registry as N749CF, the 1965-built McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II once flew with the USAF as 65-0749. She is currently painted in the markings of 66-7680, a Phantom II flown by Col. Robin Olds’ during Operation Bolo in the Viet Nam War.”

Read the full story on Warbirds News

B-17 “Shady Lady” flies again

World Warbird News — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 08:32:41 +0000

As announced last month, the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Shady Lady” has flown again and departed the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon, to join the collection of the Collings Foundation.

More information on Aerodynamic Media.

First engine runs for B-17 Flying Fortress “Shady Lady”

World Warbird News — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 09:03:46 +0000

https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenMuseum/videos/10155668775619701/

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum has reported that the B-17G Flying Fortress “Shady Lady” (s/n 44-83785) recently ran its engines for the first time in 15 years. The bomber was acquired by the Collings Foundation in 2015 and should make its first flight soon. It will then be flown to the Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts, and will join the “Wings of Freedom Tour” where it will replace the B-17 “Nine-O’Nine”, giving the latter the opportunity to undergo a major inspection and likely receive a new livery in the process.

More on this topic from Aerodynamic Media.

Collings Foundation Spitfire Mk IX performs first post-restoration flights

World Warbird News — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 08:18:02 +0000

Spitfire Mk IX BR601 of the Collings Foundation recently performed its first flights after restoration by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar. This aircraft is considered as the second production Mk IX and was restored accordingly.

Videos: First flight for Collings Foundation’s TF-51 “Toulouse Nuts”

World Warbird News — Thu, 16 Jun 2016 09:20:26 +0000

https://www.facebook.com/gary.norville/videos/1199579940075817/

https://www.facebook.com/gary.norville/videos/1199575686742909/

Videos: Gary Norville via Facebook

The Collings Foundation’s TF-51 Mustang “Toulouse Nuts” has made its first post-restauration flight. It is one of only three surviving TF-51 Mustangs, and is painted in its original markings of the 167th Fighter Squadron of the West Virginia Air Guard in the 1950s.

Sources:

Collings Foundation acquires B-17 Flying Fortress, Bf 109, P-38 Lightning, and P-40 Warhawk

World Warbird News — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 22:22:00 +0000

The B-17G “Shady Lady” at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum. (Photo killbox (CC BY-NC 2.0))

The Collings Foundation has announced that it has acquired several warbirds from the collection of the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum:

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Shady Lady” (s/n 44-83785), which is technically airworthy and should fly again in 2017. The foundation already operates a B-17, and this new arrival will make it possible for the “Wings of Freedom Tour” to continue while one B-17 is under maintenance.
A Lockheed P-38L Lightning which should fly in 2016 after some restoration work.
A Messerschmitt Bf 109G-10, whose return to airworthiness is uncertain due to some technical problems. Regardless of this, restoration work will be carried on the aircraft.
A Curtiss P-40K Warhawk, which will join the P-40 already owned by the foundation and will probably be returned to airworthiness.

More information on this topic can be found on the blog The Warbird Watcher.

UPF-7 Waco for the Collings Foundation

World Warbird News — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:19:51 +0000

A 1940 Waco UPF-7 has been donated to the Collings Foundation’s flying history collection.

This new aircraft will be available for flight experiences during the Collings Foundation 2015 Open House events in June, July and October.

Source: Collings Foundation Newsletter