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“The Flying Machine” Summer 2019 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 12th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #12 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 4); Spotlight: Berg / Military Aviation Museum Fokker D.VII; Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre’s Sopwith F.1 Camel Reconstruction Project; News Briefs: Restored Fokker D.VII, SE.5a Displayed, KipAero Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter Update, South Australian Aviation Museum Cessna CC-1 Update; 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.

Click here to purchase!

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Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of B-24 Liberator Video Tour

Kermit Weeks has released part 2 of his video tour through his B-24J Liberator based at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.

This particular aircraft was one of four surplus Indian Air Force B-24 bombers acquired by collectors in the early 1970s before being purchased by Weeks and flown to Fantasy of Flight in the early 1990s. It will reportedly undergo a complete restoration before flying again.

The video consists of a walk-around and walk-through and includes an abundance of interesting details. Part 1 can be seen here. Click below to check out part 2.

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Kermit Weeks Films Tour of His B-24 Liberator [Video]

For his latest edition of “Kermie Cam” Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks conducted a video tour of his B-24J Liberator.

This particular aircraft was one of four surplus Indian Air Force B-24 bombers acquired by collectors in the early 1970s before being purchased by Weeks and flown to Fantasy of Flight in the early 1990s. It will reportedly undergo a complete restoration before flying again.

The video consists of a walk-around and walk-through and includes an abundance of interesting details. The tour will be covered in two parts, the first of which can be seen below.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Films Tour of His B-24 Liberator [Video]

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Kermit Weeks Films Tour of Blakey Engine Service Workshop [Video]

For his latest installment of “Kermie Cam,” Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks details his April 2019 visit with Jeff Blakey of Blakey Engine Service in Roanoke, Texas. Kermit states:

“Jeff and I go way way back, and through the years, he’s done a number of engines for quite a few of my vintage aircraft. He’s a great craftsman, one of the last of a dwindling breed, and he’s also one hell of a guy. Come on along with me and visit with Jeff, and check out his shop.”

The visit will be documented in two parts. Click below to check out part 1.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Films Tour of Blakey Engine Service Workshop [Video]

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CHAA Shares Update on Lancaster FM212 Restoration

The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association has shared an update on the restoration of Avro Lancaster Mk X FM212.

The team reports that the restoration of the cockpit is nearing completion and hope to have it ready by the end of the summer. Reattachment of the nose section and canopy will follow, making two sections of the aircraft fully restored.

Damage to the starboard wing has also been addressed and it is now ready to be reassembled. In addition, many smaller jobs are also said to be underway, including repairing instruments. Restoration is reportedly on track to be completed by 2024. Continue reading CHAA Shares Update on Lancaster FM212 Restoration

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“Extraordinary Collection” From Classic Jets Fighter Museum Set For Auction

The NZ Warbirds Association has reported that the owners of Classic Jets Fighter Museum in Adelaide are retiring and an auction of listed contents has been set for July 24 at 10:30 am.

The auction listing describes “An Extraordinary Collection of War Time & General Aviation to Incl, Vampire R.A,N Jet Plane, Pilot Less Jet Aircraft, Mirage Cockpit, Ejector Seats, Jet & Turbine Engines, Plane Components, Avionics, Paraphernalia, Uniforms, Sort After Memorabilia, Parts, Personal Items, Clothing, Art Work and more.”

Click here to check out the auction page. The announcement can be seen below.

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Kermit Weeks Films “Mystery Container Unboxing” at Fantasy of Flight

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.

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Collings Foundation Acquires World’s Most Significant, Oldest Flying PBY-5A

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)

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Kermit Weeks Posts May 2019 Seversky P-35A Project Update

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

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Newly Restored P-39 Arrives at Military Aviation Museum

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