Category: Museums / Organizations

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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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”

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Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Damaged During Test Flight [Video]

Kermit Weeks’ Le Rhone-powered Sopwith Pup reproduction suffered damage after the cowling became detached during its first post-restoration flight.

Weeks states that he “took off fine” and “flew around for about 15 minutes with the 80 hp Le Rhone rotary engine running nicely.” He performed numerous figure eights over the field before coming in for a photo pass. He slowly lowered the nose, and just before reaching Fantasy of Flight’s runway, was given “a rather sudden, noisy, and spectacular surprise.”

The nose cowl is held on by a cable that clamps into a grooved slot on the outside of the firewall. When I slightly dropped the nose, the increased airspeed caused the not-so-properly-adjusted cowl to jump the groove and the rotating engine quickly shred it into numerous pieces, sending shrapnel everywhere, damaging the wings, and wrapping cowling around the center section and flying wires that began to flutter in the 80 mph breeze!

Weeks notes that he immediately shut the engine down and focused on landing the plane, which can be seen in the newly released video below, along with photos of the aftermath.

Continue reading Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Damaged During Test Flight [Video]

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CA-18 Mustang “Snifter” Returns to the Air Following Overhaul [Video]

Earlier today, Complete Aircraft Care of Caboolture, Queensland reported that Mustang Flight Australia’s CA-18 Mk. 21 Mustang (A68-110) had performed its first post-overhaul flight.

As previously reported, the aircraft, an Australian-built example of the P-51D, 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.

The recent rebuild reportedly brought the aircraft to “better than original” condition while keeping it as historically correct as it was when it came off the production line. The exacting work even included minor changes to the livery to make it a better representation of A68-769 “Snifter,” a machine that served with 82 Squadron in Japan and 77 Squadron in Korea.

The machine’s return to flight reportedly occurred on Monday, and is briefly shown in the teaser video below.

Continue reading CA-18 Mustang “Snifter” Returns to the Air Following Overhaul [Video]

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Newly Restored Thomas-Morse S-4B Performs Engine Test, Almost Ready For Flight [Video]

Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation’s newly restored Thomas-Morse S-4B recently underwent a test of its original 80 hp Le Rhone rotary engine and is said to be “almost ready for flight.”

The Ithaca, NY-based organization was established in order to return an example of the WW1 advanced trainer to the city where it was originally manufactured as “a symbol of Ithaca’s aviation heritage.” Their machine was generously donated by Dr. William N. Thibault of San Diego, CA in 2010 and has been under restoration ever since.

The Scout’s maiden flight is currently scheduled for Sept 29 at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. To learn more about this aircraft and its restoration, check out the Spring 2018 edition of The Flying Machine journal.

Continue reading Newly Restored Thomas-Morse S-4B Performs Engine Test, Almost Ready For Flight [Video]

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Spitfire AR501 Performs Post-Restoration Debut Display [Video]

During their May Evening Airshow on Saturday, the Shuttleworth Collection’s Spitfire Mk VC AR501 returned to the air for its first post-restoration public display.

As previously reported, the aircraft was originally built by Westland Aircraft at Yeovil and was issued to No. 310 (Czech) Squadron in 1942, where it escorted USAAF B-17 and B-24 bombers. Later, it would serve with RAF’s Central Gunnery School before finding use as an instructional airframe at Loughborough College.

AR501 was acquired by the Shuttleworth Collection in 1961 and restored to airworthy condition for the 1968 film The Battle of Britain. It entered the shop once again in 1973 for restoration to its authentic wartime condition, eventually returning to flight in in 1975. The most recent work was initially expected to last only 18 months, but eventually expanded into an extensive overhaul that has seen the aircraft completely dismantled and rebuilt. The result is said to be “95% original.”

Saturday’s flight was performed by pilot Stu Goldspink and marked AR501’s first airshow appearance since 2007. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Spitfire AR501 Performs Post-Restoration Debut Display [Video]