Category: Museums / Organizations

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Kermit Weeks Details Restoration Progress on Ultra Rare Seversky P-35 [Video]

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has released a new video detailing the ongoing restoration of his Seversky P-35.

This particular aircraft 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 the museum in 1992.

When complete, this will be the only airworthy example of the type in the world. The newly released video was reportedly filmed last summer and shows the beginning of the “next phase” of the project, including the removal of the machine’s fairings, cowls, tail and other refinished panels as well as the engine. The work was performed in order to remove the fuselage from the center section so the wings can be re-skinned.

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Details Restoration Progress on Ultra Rare Seversky P-35 [Video]

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Number of WW2-Era Aircraft Attending “Memphis Belle” Unveiling Rises to 12

Numerous additional aircraft will reportedly be in attendance for the upcoming unveiling of the newly restored B-17F “Memphis Belle” at the USAF Museum in Dayton on May 17.

B-17Gs “Yankee Lady” and “Aluminum Overcast” will now be joined by the B-17G/F “Movie Memphis Belle” as well as six P-51 Mustangs and three WWII-era trainer aircraft – all of which will reportedly take to the skies over the museum on May 16 as part of the opening of the event.

Plans call for 11 of the WWII-era aircraft to land at the museum on May 16 between 8-9 a.m. (One P-51 will be part of the initial flyover but not land at the museum.) The aircraft will then be available for viewing on static display May 17-18 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. On May 18 at approximately 4:30 p.m., visitors in the museum’s Memorial Park may view the aircraft as they take-off and depart the grounds. (Note: Outdoor events are weather dependent and subject to change.)

Continue reading Number of WW2-Era Aircraft Attending “Memphis Belle” Unveiling Rises to 12

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BBMF Announces Lancaster Tour to Commemorate Dambusters Anniversary

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) has announced that it will take its Avro Lancaster aloft for a commemorative tour to mark 75th anniversary of the Dambusters raid and the 100th anniversary of the RAF.

The event, currently scheduled for May 16, will reportedly see Lancaster PA474 fly over the Dambusters’ original base at RAF Scampton before proceeding down the Derwent Valley to the Rolls Royce Factory at Derby and finally Eyebrook Reservoir. The aircraft will reportedly perform two passes of the valley over the Derwent Dam starting at 12:05pm.

Known as “Operation Chastise,” the Dambusters raid saw 19 Lancasters of 617 Squadron attack a number of German dams, resulting in severe flooding that destroyed or damaged power stations, factories and mines. The dams of the Derwent Valley and Eyebrook Reservoir were among the practice sites used in preparation for the raid.

The routes that will be used to witness the flight are expected to be congested and information has been released here and here to aid those wishing to attend.

(via BBMF Photo: Mark Harkin via Wikimedia Commons)

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World’s Only “Big Tail” SR-71 Undergoes Repaint

The Air Force Armament Museum located at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida is in the process of repainting their SR-71 Blackbird.

The aircraft, SR-71A S/N 61-7959, was completed in 1965 and, in 1975, was modified with a nine-foot boom on its aft end carrying Electronic Countermeasures and an Optical Bar Camera. The result earned the machine the moniker “Big Tail” and it would remain the only example of the type to be fitted with the modification, as tests revealed that the equipment provided no marked advantage. The aircraft performed its last flight in 1976, being placed in outdoor storage before being moved to its current home in 1991.

The repainting process is reportedly being carried out with brush and rollers and, as of this writing, prep work has been completed and primer application is in progress. When complete, the machine will reportedly retain its signature black finish.

Click below to check out photos of the progress.

Continue reading World’s Only “Big Tail” SR-71 Undergoes Repaint

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Warbird Heritage Foundation Announces Homecoming of P-51 “Moonbeam McSwine”

P-51D “Moonbeam McSwine” has returned to the US after The Warbird Heritage Foundation in Waukegan, Illinois acquired the machine from its previous French owner.

The aircraft (S/N 44-73656) was originally constructed in 1944 but did not see service in WW2. Following the war, it was assigned to the Texas, Colorado and Minnesota Air National Guards before being sold as surplus in 1958. Over the years it passed through the hands of a number of owners, eventually being restored with the livery of “Moonbeam McSwine,” flown by Capt. William T. Whisner of the 352nd Fighter Group. It won the title of Grand Champion Warbird in Fresno in 1975 and began racing in Reno with new owner Vlado Lenoch, who also flew the machine in USAF Heritage Flights and at airshows around the US.

In 2012 the P-51 was sold to Frédéric Akary of France, and it appeared at airshows throughout Europe until being acquired by The Warbird Heritage Foundation earlier this year. It recently returned to the US and will be re-assembled at Tab-Air in East Troy, Wisconsin. Now bearing registration N51VL, it is hoped that the machine will return to the skies by this summer to honor the memory of Lenoch, who was tragically killed in a crash in July 2017.

Click below to check out a selection of recent photos.

Continue reading Warbird Heritage Foundation Announces Homecoming of P-51 “Moonbeam McSwine”

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New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration

Owls Head Transportation Museum of Owls Head, Maine has released a new video detailing the ongoing restoration of their Fokker Dr.1 reproduction.

The aircraft was built in the 1970s by Kenneth Cianchette and performed at museum events until 2014, when it was discovered that considerable repairs were needed. The museum ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to cover associated costs. As the video below shows, an overhauled Warner radial engine has been acquired and the fuselage is awaiting sandblasting, covering and painting. The wing panels have been shipped to upstate New York for covering by Brian Coughlin, who also covered the ailerons and tail surfaces.

It is hoped that the machine will return to the air by the end of the 2018 season.

Continue reading New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration

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B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Receives Exterior Restoration, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned [Video]

An all-volunteer group dubbed “B-17 Archaeology” has been working to carry out a cosmetic restoration on a B-17 that has been on outdoor display at Mefford Field in Tulare, California since 1958.

Originally constructed as a B-17G, the aircraft (S/N 44-85738) was delivered to the USAAF in May 1945 and placed in storage before participating in “Operation Crossroads,” a pair of atomic weapons tests conducted at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 1946. From there it moved on to Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio and then the Air Proving Grounds at Eglin AFB in Florida before being struck off charge in August 1958. Continue reading B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Receives Exterior Restoration, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned [Video]

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RAF Museum Welcomes Newly Refurbished Spitfire, Hurricane Gate Guards

The Royal Air Force Museum in London has just welcomed back their Hurricane and Spitfire gate guards after a year-long restoration.

As previously reported, the reproductions were dismantled and transported to Michael Beetham Conservation Centre in Cosford in early 2017. During refurbishment, each aircraft was given a new livery “to reflect the rich and diverse history” of the London site when it was a working RAF station. The Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 now wears the colors of P2725 flown by Sgt. Ray Holmes of 504 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, while the Spitfire Mk XVI now represents TB288 as it appeared during its service with 601 Squadron.

The aircraft will reportedly be assembled over the coming days and positioned at the museum’s pedestrian and car park entrances.

Click below to check out photos of the restored reproductions following their arrival.

Continue reading RAF Museum Welcomes Newly Refurbished Spitfire, Hurricane Gate Guards

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Lancaster FM104’s Future Could Be Determined By Friday Meeting [Video]

The future of Avro Lancaster FM104 could be determined by a meeting held today.

The bomber was built by Victory Aircraft of Malton, Ontario in 1944 and installed along Toronto’s waterfront following its retirement from the RCAF in 1964. In 1999, it was moved to a museum in Downsview Park, where a restoration effort began. However, it was relocated once again when the museum closed in 2011 and has since been stored at the Edenvale Aerodrome west of Barrie. The aircraft is now said to be in need of extensive restoration.

The future of FM104 has become the focus of significant debate. The city of Toronto is said to lacks the funds, resources and space to properly maintain and display the machine and would like to donate it to the British Columbia Aviation Museum near Victoria, as it is said to be well equipped for its long-term care. However, the group FM104EVER is against the proposal, viewing the Lancaster as an important part of the local community. The team is working to keep the aircraft in the city and has reportedly assembled a team of experts to restore the aircraft while also identifying potential sites for display.

The city’s Economic Development Committee met today to consider the proposals. Click below to watch.

Continue reading Lancaster FM104’s Future Could Be Determined By Friday Meeting [Video]

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USAF Museum to Host Free Presentations About Memphis Belle Ahead of Historic Unveiling

With the debut of the newly restored B-17F “Memphis Belle” scheduled to take place in May, the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio has planned a series of free presentations about the historic bomber that will take place later this month.

These programs will be presented by Dr. Harry Friedman of the Memphis Belle Memorial Association (MBMA), and National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Curator Jeff Duford, on April 18 at 1:30 p.m. and will repeat on April 19 at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the museum’s Carney Auditorium. During the event Friedman, who is also coauthor of the book Memphis Belle – Dispelling the Myths, will speak about the Memphis Belle’s missions overseas, its return to the United States and the time the aircraft spent in Memphis, Tenn. Duford will discuss the restoration of the aircraft as well as the planning and construction of the new exhibit.

The Memphis Belle became the first the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions and return to the U.S. It flew across the country to promote war bonds and boost morale and even became the focus of a documentary and feature film. As previously reported, the highly anticipated unveiling of the restored bomber will take place at the USAF Museum on May 17-18 and will reportedly be attended by two B-17s and over 130 WW2 reenactors.

(via USAF Museum Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Kevin Lush)

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