Tag: First Flight

A P-51 Mustang returns to the skies in the United Kingdom

North American P-51D-30-NT 45-11518 G-CLNV on its maiden flight at Sywell ( Photo © Peter Green )

On Friday, August 25th, at Sywell in the United Kingdom, English pilot Pete Kynsey conducted the first post-restoration flight of the North American P-51D 45-11518, registered as G-CLNV on the British civil register. Restored by Air Leasing Ltd, led by Richard Grace, this P-51 was built in 1945 and was taken over by the Royal …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2023/08/30/a-p-51-mustang-returns-to-the-skies-in-the-united-kingdom/

Watch footage of Lockheed VC-121A Constellation “Bataan” returning to flight

Gorgeous footage of the first flight of Lockheed VC-121A Constellation “Bataan”, which once served as the personal transport for General MacArthur,  has been uploaded by Skyes9 on YouTube : Push the sound up and enjoy !

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2023/06/26/watch-footage-of-lockheed-vc-121a-constellation-bataan-returning-to-flight/

Lewis Air Legend’s VC-121 “Baatan” flies again

Lewis Air Legend’s Lockheed VC-121A Constellation “Bataan”, which served as General MacArthur’s personal aircraft, flew again on 21 June 2023 after an eight-year restoration by Fighter Rebuilders in Chino, California. Footage of the first flight can be viewed on Lewis Air Legend’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/reel/3572688642970226 The Lockheed  VC-121A Constellation “Bataan” holds a rich history spanning …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2023/06/22/lewis-air-legends-vc-121-baatan-flies-again/

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/

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/

“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/

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/

ATAC Mirage F1 makes maiden flight

ATAC F1s are off and flying. We recently undertook successful first flight with our F1 Mirage as we prepare to support customer training needs. All functions progressing: new facilities; upgraded aircraft; and additional pilots with more to come! pic.twitter.com/135UkedGQD — ATAC (Airborne Tactical Advantage Company) (@ATACTextron) August 26, 2019 Five years after their withdrawal from …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2019/08/31/atac-mirage-f1-makes-maiden-flight/

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/