Category: Modern Era (1945-Present)

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World’s Only Airworthy Twin Mustang Makes Public Debut at Sun ‘n Fun [Video]

The newly restored XP-82 Twin Mustang Prototype (44-83887) made a much heralded appearance at the 2019 Sun ‘n Fun fly-in in Lakeland, Florida, acting as both a static and flying display.

As previously reported, Tom Reilly of Douglas, Georgia acquired the XP-82 prototype from Walter and Margaret Soplata in 2008 and began restoring the machine to airworthy condition at Douglas Municipal Airport. Additional F-82 parts were sourced from Alaska and Colorado and a rare, left-hand turning Allison V-12 was located in Mexico. Additional components, including full second cockpit controls and a second canopy (one that “is completely different from any P-51 type”) were sourced from San Francisco and Tampa, respectively. On December 31, 2018, the XP-82 performed its first flight since December 14, 1949.

The aircraft made its public debut at Sun ‘n Fun, where it won the title of Grand Champion Warbird. Click below to see it in action at the event.

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PBY-5A in “Very Good Condition” Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

Consolidated Vultee PBY-5A CC-CDT (S/N CV-332) has hit the market.

The listing states that the machine is in “very good” and “flight” condition with water bomber equipment installed. The airframe has reportedly amassed 7193 hrs while its two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines have 243 and 127 hrs.

The aircraft is located in Santiago, Chile. Pricing is available on request and is said to be negotiable. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Photo: aeroprints.com via Wikimedia Commons)

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Special Hobby Announces Liveries for Upcoming New Tool Sunderland V Kit

Special Hobby has revealed the four marking options to be included in their highly anticipated new tool Short Sunderland Mk V model kit.

The 1/72 offering (SH72162) will reportedly contain liveries for ML796, NJ177 and PP117, as well as SZ566, which was flown by Vaclav Bergman in Singapore during the Korea War and is featured on the box art shown above. The marking options appear to represent post-war machines, which is reflected in the kit’s “Fighting Commies” release title.

As previously reported, the company describes the product as “a brand new model, yes just ours – no cooperation with anyone else.” It is currently slated for release in April.

Click below to check out livery profiles.

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“Complete and Fully-Functional” 1:1 Scale 747-400 Flight Deck Simulator For Sale

A “full-scale fixed-based” 747-400 flight simulator has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

The simulator is two years old and all components are in perfect condition. This is NOT your standard home cockpit, and comes with all the bells and whistles… Purchased new, this simulator, the computers and software which run it, and the high definition visual system would cost close to $200,000 USD. Please note that this is a full 1:1 scale Boeing 747-400 replica flightdeck with a 200 degree FOV wraparound visual screen and, as such, a ceiling height of at least 8ft as well as a (minimum) 17x15ft space would be required to fit the simulator.

The simulator is located in Henderson, Nevada and is currently being offered for US $125,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay, which includes a lengthy list of its features.

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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“Beautifully Restored” A-7B Corsair II Cockpit Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

The “beautifully restored” cockpit section of Vought A-7B Corsair II B/N 154456 has hit the market.

Described as “a truly a one-of-a-kind offering,” the cockpit was reportedly found in “derelict condition” five years ago, filled with “20+ years of desert sand.” It was sent to Century of Flight restoration services and brought back to life over a two year period. The listing states (in part):

Completely cleaned inside and out, and then blasted down to the bear metal, the nose gear was removed to accommodate a mounting point for an extremely sturdy, custom-built frame with heavy-duty casters. The entire aircraft can easily be rolled/moved by one person. The interior and exterior were then primed and painted to reflect an A-7B serving in VA-205 in the late 70s/early 80s. All avionics were taken apart, cleaned, painted and look showroom new. Gunsight has been fitted with LED lighting…allowing you to keep gunsight reticle on without overheating. Refueling probe freely moves. ESCAPAC seat has been restored with the same attention to detail as the rest of the aircraft. Purchase includes a complete radar w/ NOS dish, and LTV-produced canopy support strut.

The cockpit is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and is currently being offered for US $37,500, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Watch Restored B-52 “Midnight Express” Move to Permanent Home [Video]

Over a four hour period yesterday, the Museum of Flight in Seattle relocated their newly restored B-52 “Midnight Express” to its new, permanent home on the west side of the Museum’s Aviation Pavilion.

As previously reported, the bomber (S/N 59-2584) had been parked outdoors at the museum’s Paine Field facility for 26 years before a $2.2 million restoration effort was launched. The machine will now serve as the centerpiece of a new Vietnam Air War Memorial Park, which is slated to open on May 25, 2019 and will pay tribute to the aircraft of the Vietnam War and honor the service members who flew and supported them.

Click below to check out video of yesterday’s move.

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“Outstanding, Undamaged” Hawker Sea Fury Project Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

A Hawker Sea Fury project (N59SF S/N 37755) has hit the market. The listing states (in part):

Great opportunity to purchase a very complete Hawker Fury project. Formerly operated by the Iraqi Air Force the aircraft that was imported into the US in the late 70’s. This is one of the few remaining unrestored airframes and is in outstanding, undamaged condition. The aircraft could be restored to its original Bristol Centaurus engine or converted to R-2800 or R-3350 power.

The aircraft is located in California and is currently being offered for US $525,000. Click here and here to check out complete listings.

(Image: Crown Copyright or Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

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Static 1966 Bell UH-1H Huey Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

A 1966 Bell UH-1H Huey helicopter (S/N 66-1080) has hit the market. The listing states (in part):

The helicopter has been restored to static display condition that can be placed at a museum or used for parades, it does come with transmission and rotor components but it does not include the engine ,42 deg gear box and shafts as they are not needed for static display. The helicopter is currently 95% completed and will be finished by the time the listing ends so, the helicopter will be sold ready for display, there will be nothing that the buyer will need to do except the installation of the blades…

The listing also states, “this helicopter is for static purposes only, most of its components are not airworthy. To include transmission, blades,main and tail rotor components.” It is located in Tampa, Florida and is currently being offered for US $62,000, although the seller notes that “other aircraft and cash” will be considered. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Beech D18S Project Aircraft Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

A Beech D18S project aircraft has hit the market. The listing states:

Selling project aircraft due to recent relocation for work, great project aircraft for any Beech 18 enthusiast!! No reserve on auction, first bid gets it. Logs are complete from 1970 through 2001, however some logs are missing from 2001 – 2009 (last flight 2009). Additional logs also exist from 1952 – 1970s. I have the airworthiness certificate and I am working with local FAA DAR to register the aircraft and prep for a ferry flight certificate.

The machine reportedly has an airframe total time of 7500 and is equipped with R985 AN14Bs engines with times of 250 and 850 SMOH. It is located in Toledo, Washington and is currently being offered for bidding. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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E-Flite to Release New 80mm F-4 Phantom II RC Model

E-Flite is gearing up to release a new 80mm F-4 Phantom RC model in both BNF and PNP versions.

The offering is described as an “Extra Scale replica that delivers incredible performance in a great handling model.” Features reportedly include removable ordnance and tanks, strut covers, molded-in panel lines, LED lights, full-flying stabs, flaps and sequenced nose gear doors. Power is provided by a factory-installed high-power 6S-compatible brushless inrunner motor and 100-amp ESC.

The BNF version also includes a Spektrum 6-channel receiver with DSMX technology, optional-use SAFE Select flight envelope protection and AS3X technology offering “unmatched stability and precision.”

The BNF model is currently slated for release in late March, while the PNP version is set for release in late April. Click below to check out a video overview.

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