Tag: 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/

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/

Temora Aviation Museum Canberra and Vampire to return to airworthiness

From the Temora Aviation Museum’s website: In the biggest news in recent years, the Temora Aviation Museum’s President and Founder, Mr David Lowy AM, has announced, that the Museum would start a complex project to return the Museum’s English Electric Canberra and de Havilland Vampire to flying condition, neither of which have flown for a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2017/06/08/temora-aviation-museum-canberra-and-vampire-to-return-to-airworthiness/

Final flight for Museum of Flight’s Boeing 727

After a 25-year restoration, the first Boeing 727 is to make a final flight when it will be flown from Paine Field where it is being restored to Seattle’s Museum of Flight, where it will be displayed along with the Boeing 737 and 747 prototypes. A special permit was required for this unique flight , …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/02/09/final-flight-for-museum-of-flights-boeing-727/

First engine run for world’s only airworthy Bf 109G-6

Testrun Bf109 G-6 “Black 8”Testrun Bf109 G-6 “Schwarze 8″Wir wünschen allen Hangar10 Freunden ein frohes und besinnliches Weihnachtsfest. Wir können es kaum erwarten diesen schönen Flieger bei uns zu haben.#Messerschmitt #Bf109 #Me109 #MeierMotorsGmbH #MerryChristmas Posted by Hangar10 on Friday, December 25, 2015 On December 30, 2015, the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 “Black 8” WkNr 440738 made …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2016/01/02/first-engine-runs-for-worlds-only-airworthy-bf-109g-6/

Former Air Force One Lockheed Constellation “Columbine II” to fly again?

The Lockheed C-121 Constellation known as Columbine II, which flew President Dwight Eisenhower and had been stored at Manara Air Park in Arizona since its last flight in 2003, will shortly examined by Dynamics Aviation to evaluate whether it can be restored to airworthiness. Several parts are missing and will need to be found and …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2015/02/20/former-air-force-one-lockheed-constellation-columbine-ii-to-fly-again/

Travel Air 5000 restored

A Travel Air 5000 was restored to static condition by Cowtown Aerocrafters near Justin, Texas, earlier this year and has been moved to a museum in Fort Worth for display. Visit the Cowtown Aerocrafters Facebook page or the Another Time blog for pictures and more information.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2014/12/15/travel-air-5000-restored/

Connie Edward’s Buchóns to be restored in Switzerland

A few months ago, Connie Edwards’ fantastic collection of warbirds was put up for sale on Platinum Fighters. The collection included six Hispano Buchóns (license-built Spanish Me 109G powered by Merlin engines), two Mustangs and a Spitfire Mk XVI. The Swiss company Boschung Global Ltd will be restoring the Messerchmitts, in collaboration with B63 Switzerland, …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2014/11/16/connie-edwards-buchons-to-be-restored-in-switzerland/

Folland Gnat F.1 to be restored

The former Indian air force Folland Gnat F.1 E296 is now under restoration with the Heritage Aircraft Trust/Gnat Display Team at North Weald. It is a genuine British-built Gnat, not a Hindustan Ajeet, and should become the only single-seat Gnat to fly in the UK. More information from Aeroplane Monthly.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2014/09/26/folland-gnat-f-1-to-be-restored/

World’s only Bristol Blenheim to fly again

The Bristol Blenheim (ex-Bolingbroke) Mk IV L6739, currently being restored by ARCo, was unveiled on May 30, a few days after its first engines run. The aircraft was restored in 1987 but crashed a month after a maiden flight. Following this, it was repaired and flew again 5 years later, wearing the colours of a …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2014/06/02/worlds-only-bristol-blenheim-to-fly-again/

OV-10 Bronco 99+18 restoration complete

The Bronco Demo Team‘s former Luftwaffe North American OV-10 Bronco coded 99+18 recently made its first photo flight. The aircraft flew for the first time in 2012 but the team’s other Bronco (99+32) was lost, with pilot Tony De Bruyn suffering serious injuries. Bronco 99+18 was recently repainted in its former Luftwaffe colours and Tony …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2014/03/12/ov-10-bronco-9918-restoration-complete/

Mercury-powered Hawker Hart to fly again in Sweden

Swedish vintage aircraft enthusiast Joakim Westh has announced his plan to put a Swedish-built Hawker Hart biplane bomber back into the air. A full report can be read from Aeroplane Monthly.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2013/10/08/mercury-powered-hawker-hart-to-fly-again-in-sweden/

Breguet Alizé to fly in France

The association Breguet Alizé, which is mostly composed of former French Navy personnel, has been working for the last few months on restoring their Breguet Alizé ASW aircraft back to flying status. Engine runs and taxiing tests began at the end of 2012 and the association has now received permission to make test flights with …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.worldwarbirdnews.com/2013/03/25/breguet-alize-to-fly-in-france/