Category: Museums / Organizations

Posted on by

MAPS Air Museum Corsair Project On Its Way

MAPS Air Museum’s effort to build a F4U/FG-1 Corsair is reportedly on its way.

The North Canton, Ohio-based museum states that it currently has the cockpit of an Akron-built Corsair as well as an engine, a propeller and an engine mount supplied by Minerva Welding and Fabricating. The rest will reportedly have to be found or built.

The museum has been in search of non-airworthy parts (especially landing gear) to construct the machine, which will serve to highlight the 4,000+ examples of the type built in the state by Goodyear during WW2.

Click below to check out the full announcement.

Continue reading MAPS Air Museum Corsair Project On Its Way

Posted on by

New Video Documents CA-18 Mustang’s Return to Flight With Onboard Footage

Following a brief teaser video released last month, Complete Aircraft Care has offered a new, more in-depth look at the final preparations and test flights of Mustang Flight Australia’s newly restored CA-18 Mk. 21 Mustang “Snifter.”

The Australian-built example of the P-51D (A68-110), was delivered to the RAAF in 1948 and saw little service prior to being decommissioned in 1957. After being sold, it sat for nearly four decades before becoming the focus of a seven-year restoration by Sandora Aviation in North Brisbane, during which it was converted to a two-seat configuration. In 2002 it returned to the air and is now the the centerpiece of the Caboolture Warplane Museum, providing regular flight experiences with the nonprofit Mustang Flights Australia while also supporting local war service commemorations. Continue reading New Video Documents CA-18 Mustang’s Return to Flight With Onboard Footage

Posted on by

First F-100C Super Sabre, Once Flown By Neil Armstrong, To Be Renovated

Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California has reported that their F-100 Super Sabre has been relocated to their restoration hangar for renovation.

This particular aircraft (S/N 53-1709) was the first F-100C built and was reportedly flown at one point by famous Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong. It served with NASA at Moffett Field and Dryden as well as the Langley Research Center, being modified for variable stability and also seeing use testing direct-lift control for air-to-air-refueling. Following retirement in 1972, the F-100 was transferred to San Jose State College Aero School for instructional use before eventually arriving at Castle for display in 2004.

Additional details on the renovation have not yet been reported. Click below to check out photos of the recent move.

Continue reading First F-100C Super Sabre, Once Flown By Neil Armstrong, To Be Renovated

Posted on by

Sopwith Triplane Performs First Flight At Military Aviation Museum [Video]

The Military Aviation Museum’s full-scale Sopwith Triplane has performed its first flight since arriving at the Virginia Beach attraction last July.

As previously reported, The Lycoming-powered machine (N543A) was built by Chad Wille in the early 1990s and was recognized as an “Outstanding Aircraft” at SUN ‘n FUN 1993. It became part of the Guntersville, Alabama-based Replica Fighter Museum owned by the late Frank Ryder before moving on to the Homer B. Wilson Vintage Museum at the Guntersville Municipal Airport.

Click below to check out a video of the recent flight.

Continue reading Sopwith Triplane Performs First Flight At Military Aviation Museum [Video]

Posted on by

Kermit Weeks Provides New Video Update On Seversky P-35 Restoration

Kermit Weeks has shared a new video detailing the ongoing work on his exceedingly rare Seversky P-35.

As previously reported, the machine was acquired years back in a trade with the USAF Museum and is reportedly one of only three remaining examples of the single seat fighter, which was introduced in the mid-1930s and saw limited action at the beginning of WW2. It came from the Swedish Air Force and was stored in underground bunkers during the war, which resulted in significant pitting and surface corrosion. Additional damage was sustained when Hurricane Andrew struck Kermit’s by Florida-based Fantasy of Flight attraction in 1992. When complete, this will be the only airworthy example of the type in the world.

The newly released video was reportedly filmed in the summer of 2017 and documents the fuselage being detached from the center section and “put into a rotisserie fixture for easier access during the restoration process.”

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Provides New Video Update On Seversky P-35 Restoration

Posted on by

World’s Oldest Original Flying Jet to Return to the Air, Oshkosh Debut on Schedule

Glostor Meteor T7 “Queenie,” touted as the world’s oldest original flying jet, has reportedly completed all registration, inspection and final certification requirements following its arrival in the US, and is slated to return to the air.

As previously reported, the aircraft (WA591/G-BWMF) was delivered to the RAF in 1949 and served as a training machine at a number of bases before becoming a gate guard at RAF Woodvale. In 1995 Meteor Flight began restoring the aircraft and it returned to the air at Kemble in 2011. In recent years it operated with Classic Air Force at Coventry, which closed down in 2016 following the retirement of its founder. Last year, it was acquired by Detroit, Michigan-based World Heritage Air Museum (WHAM).

The museum has reported that the Meteor’s return to flight is expected to take place on June 18 out of Hampton Roads. Its debut at Oshkosh reportedly remains on schedule, and will appear along with the collection’s Vampire and Venom.

(via World Heritage Air Museum and Ultimate Aviation Photo: By Paul Nelhams via Wikimedia Commons)

Posted on by

WW1 Aircraft Manufacturer TVAL Seeks Engine Overhaul Technician

The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. (TVAL) has listed a vacancy for an engine overhaul technician.

The New Zealand-based aircraft restoration and manufacturing company strives to build “WW1 aircraft, engines and propellers to the same exacting standards they were originally made over 90 years ago,” while also working to “look after, and operate, the WW1 aircraft owned by the 1914-1918 Aviation Heritage Trust.”

The organization is seeking “a qualified engine reconditioner with preferably 3+ years post qualification experience.” Ideal candidates would possess experience with vintage and antique engines and welding. The listing states that the position may suit “a fitter/turner or someone familiar with machine shop tools and equipment.”

For additional details, visit TVAL’s website.

(Photo: Phillip Capper via Wikimedia Commons)

Posted on by

CAF’s B-24 “Diamond Lil” Nearing Return to Flight

After being grounded in 2016 for restoration, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil” is nearing its return to the air.

The aircraft (AM927) was delivered to the British in May 1941 and transferred to Trans World Airlines (TWA) to conduct training of RAF pilots out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A landing accident shortly thereafter resulted in the bomber being returned to Consolidated in San Diego. In July 1942, it returned to service as the C-87 Liberator Express prototype, acting as a personnel and equipment transport and test platform. Following the war it was modified with long RY-3 nose and PBY nacelles and saw further use as an executive and personnel transport. It was acquired by the CAF in 1968.

The recent work was based on an ambitious plan to ensure continued flights well into the future. This initiative included an interior restoration and the overhaul of three engines – the last of which has just arrived at the CAF facility in Texas.

It is hoped that “Diamond Lil” will return to the air by July to continue its role as the oldest flying B-24. Click below to check out a selection of recent photos.

Continue reading CAF’s B-24 “Diamond Lil” Nearing Return to Flight

Posted on by

Watch Newly Restored B-52 “Midnight Express” Arrive at New Home [Video]

On Sunday, the newly restored B-52G Stratofortress “Midnight Express” arrived at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The Welcome Home ceremony saw the machine’s restored fuselage transported from Paine Field in Everett to Raisbeck Aviation High School, traveling down East Marginal Way South.

As previously reported, the bomber (S/N 59-2584) had been parked outdoors at the museum’s Paine Field facility for the past 26 years. A $2.2 million effort was launched to restore the machine for use as the centerpiece of a new Vietnam Air War Memorial Park, which will pay tribute to the aircraft of the Vietnam War and honor the service members who flew and supported them.

The fuselage was the largest and final piece of the restored aircraft to arrive the museum, where it will eventually be reassembled for display in the new park, which is set to open on November 11.

Click below to check out photos and video of the event.

Continue reading Watch Newly Restored B-52 “Midnight Express” Arrive at New Home [Video]

Posted on by

Museum of Flight to Hold Welcome Ceremony for Newly Restored B-52 “Midnight Express”

The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington has announced a Welcome Ceremony for their newly restored B-52 Stratofortress “Midnight Express.”

As previously reported, the bomber (S/N 59-2584) had been parked outdoors at the museum’s Paine Field facility in Everett for the past 26 years. A $2.2 million effort was launched to restore the machine for use as the centerpiece of a new Vietnam Air War Memorial Park, which will pay tribute to the aircraft of the Vietnam War and honor the service members who flew and supported them.

The fuselage will be the largest and final piece of the restored aircraft to arrive the museum. It is currently scheduled to depart Paine Field in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, June 3, travelling south on I-405 to I-5, then towards the museum on East Marginal Way South. The public is invited to watch its arrival at Raisbeck Aviation High School parking lot, where it will eventually be reassembled for display in the new memorial park, which will reportedly begin construction this fall. Continue reading Museum of Flight to Hold Welcome Ceremony for Newly Restored B-52 “Midnight Express”