Kermit Weeks has released a video documenting the unboxing of a “mystery” shipping container that he has been waiting over a year to receive.
As we see, the container is filled with a variety of components, and Kermit challenges us to guess the plane before he reveals its identity (which occurs around the 9 minute mark).
Click below to check it out.
Continue reading Kermit Weeks Films “Mystery Container Unboxing” at Fantasy of Flight
The Collings Foundation of Stow, Massachusetts has announced the acquisition of PBY-5A B/N 2459, which is described as “the oldest and most historically significant” flying example of the type.
Accepted on December 22, 1941, the machine was the fourth PBY-5A amphibian constructed for the US Navy. It was assigned to VP-73 as aircraft number 9 and became the first PBY to sink a U-Boat (U-464) on August 20, 1942. On October 5, it sank U-582 during a convoy protection mission and on June 24, 1943, it destroyed U-194 using a “FIDO” acoustic homing torpedo. Today it is the only known surviving USN aircraft with multiple U-Boat victories.
As part of the Collings Foundation collection, B/N 2459 will be restored to its original 1942 configuration, a process that will see its interior reworked and its clipper bow replaced with a bow turret. It will also be repainted in its VP-73 livery (donations toward this effort are now being accepted here.)
As of this writing, the machine is en route back to the US from the Netherlands. It departed yesterday and is slated to appear at the Reykjavik Airshow in Iceland on June 1. It is expected to arrive into the US after June 3 depending on weather conditions.
(via Collings Foundation Photo: Rob Schleiffert via Wikimedia Commons)
Kermit Weeks has posted a new update on the restoration of his extremely rare Seversky P-35A.
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 new update reveals the structure of the port wing panel following removal of the skins and details some of the work that will need to be carried out in order to restore the panel to new condition. Click below to check it out.
Continue reading Kermit Weeks Posts May 2019 Seversky P-35A Project Update
The Fighter Factory in Virginia Beach, Virginia has reported the arrival of the Military Aviation Museum’s latest acquisition, a P-39F Airacobra.
As previously reported, the aircraft is based largely on an ex-Soviet Air Force P-39Q which was recovered around 1995, although it is also said to feature parts obtained from P-39Q 42-20341. The machine (ZK-COB) was restored to airworthy condition by Pioneer Aero Ltd and represents USAAC 220341. On February 26, it performed its first post-restoration flight from Ardmore Airfield in Auckland, New Zealand with NZ Warbirds Association President Frank Parker at the controls.
Click below to check out photos of its arrival at MAM.
Continue reading Newly Restored P-39 Arrives at Military Aviation Museum
For the latest installment of his “Kermie Cam” series, Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks paid a visit to the late Paul Allen’s Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Washington State for a tour of the facility.
The video captures Weeks exploring the impressive collection of military aircraft and vehicles with Executive Director Adrian Hunt, and also discussing the status of the museum since Allen’s passing last year.
The visit will be chronicled in two videos, the first of which can be seen below.
Continue reading Kermit Weeks Documents Tour of Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum
The Historic Aircraft Collection has announced the first post-restoration flight of de Havilland DH.9 E8894/G-CDLI.
As previously reported, the aircraft is one of two DH.9s discovered in an elephant stable in India and restored over a 15 year period by Guy Black’s Retrotec workshop in East Sussex, England. While the first example (D-5649) was rebuilt for static display at the Imperial War Museum, this second DH.9 was restored to airworthy status and is powered by the only airworthy Siddeley Puma engine in the world. The aircraft is owned by Retrotec’s sister company Aero Vintage and operated by Historic Aircraft Collection.
The flight was reportedly conducted yesterday from the Imperial War Museum’s Duxford airfield with pilot Dodge Bailey at the controls. It lasted 30 minutes and was described as “trouble free.”
Click below to check out photos and video of the test.
Continue reading Siddeley Puma-Powered DH.9 E8894 Performs First Post-Restoration Flight
Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 11th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.
Issue #11 Contents:
36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 3); Spotlight: Woodall / MAPS Air Museum Sopwith Triplane; Brussel Sprout (NZ Warbirds Association Bristol Scout); News Briefs: Pima Air and Space Museum Sopwith Camel Project, Newly Restored Thomas-Morse S-4B Goes on Display; Products
The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!
Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history.
On Friday, Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum reported the arrival of a new acquisition in the form of F6F-3 Hellcat B/N 66237.
This particular aircraft was constructed by Grumman and assigned to VF-20. On January 12, 1944 it ditched at sea near San Diego during a training mission, sinking to a depth of 3,400 ft. It was recovered in 1970 and displayed at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, followed by the Florida-based National Museum Of Naval Aviation.
The museum, located at Cape May Airport in New Jersey, was recently offered the aircraft, which is said to be approximately 80% restored. The museum plans to launch a new project to restore the aircraft “in the most accurate manner possible” for display. When complete, it will wear the colors of of the Hellcat flown by LTJG Arthur Ray Hawkins of VF-31 who was credited with downing seven Japanese aircraft.
Click below to check out photos of its recent arrival at NAS Wildwood. Continue reading NAS Wildwood Museum Welcomes F6F Hellcat Acquisition, Restoration to Follow
The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia has put out the call for a full-time Museum Director.
The museum states that they are looking for “an experienced Museum Director that can oversee and manage the entire operation.” stating “There are many large functions that take place at our museum including a World War Two airshow (Warbirds Over the Beach) in May, a musical airshow (Flying Proms) in June, and a First World War airshow (Biplanes and Triplanes) that is held in October. In addition, there are also numerous smaller functions such as a Valentine’s Day costume dance, Wine Fest, children’s summer camp, radio control model airplane meets, conventions, various 5K runway races, vintage car shows, Planes and Trains during Thanksgiving, and many more seasonal events.” Continue reading Military Aviation Museum Seeks Full-Time Museum Director
The Museum of Aviation Foundation at Robins AFB in Warner Robins, Georgia is seeking a new President/CEO. The current CEO has released a statement which reads (in part):
Leading the Museum of Aviation Foundation over the past four years has been an amazing honor and privilege. With that, the time has come for me to transition the leadership of this wonderful institution into capable hands.
That said, the Foundation Board of Directors has initiated an immediate search for my successor.
A document has also been released which details position requirements and submission instructions. The statement reads that all submissions must be received by close of business Wednesday, May 8, 2019.
Click below to check out the museum’s complete announcement.
Continue reading Georgia’s Museum of Aviation Foundation Seeks New President/CEO
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