Category: News

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Friends of Jenny Reveal Newly Restored de Havilland DH.4, Oshkosh Appearance Planned

The U.S.-based “Friends of Jenny” nonprofit organization has unveiled its newly restored de Havilland DH.4.

As previously reported, the machine, which is believed to be the last DH.4 airframe in North America, has been restored to airworthy condition in order to “honor the memory of the Americans who built her, who flew in her, and who died in her.”

The project saw the aircraft restored by “cadres of professionals and aficionados” and was endorsed by the WW1 Centennial Commission. The final product boasts a V-12 Liberty engine and markings representing DH.4 #6 of 50 Squadron, the machine flown by Lt. Harold E. Goettler and Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley when they gave their lives during a heroic mission on September 12, 1918, posthumously earning them both the Medal of Honor. Continue reading Friends of Jenny Reveal Newly Restored de Havilland DH.4, Oshkosh Appearance Planned

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Durafly Releases New Supermarine Seafire Mk IIB 1100mm RC Model in “What If” Colors

Durafly has released a new, 1100mm Supermarine Seafire Mk IIB plug and fly RC model.

The aircraft was designed with a “what if” color scheme similar to the planes flown by US Navy airmen in the Pacific Fleet and includes “three different, unique sets of decals.” Additional features reportedly include scale parts, faithfully reproduced split flaps, servoless electric retracts, a scale outline, ball links on all controls, fine surface detail and a premier paint finish along with an operating LED navigation system.

Scale performance and maneuverability are said to be provided by a Aerostar 3536 770KV Brushless motor with an Aerostar 50A ESC, while a large rudder, steerable tailwheel and forward raked main gear reportedly provide improved ground handling and “easier and more scale-like” takeoffs and landings.

Buy on eBay on eBay ($210.45)

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Tamiya to Release New 1/48 F-14D Tomcat Model Kit

Tamiya has announced the upcoming release of a new F-14D Tomcat model kit in 1/48 scale.

The kit (61118) appears to be based off the company’s new tool F-14A kit (61114) which was released in 2016. It is said to be a faithful reproduction of the machine and reportedly includes movable wings and a number of weapon/reconnaissance options, including laser and GPS-guided bombs and late stage air-to-air missiles, as well as lantern, jamming and reconnaissance camera pods. Three marking options will also be included representing machines from VF-213 “Black Lions,” VF-101 “Grim Reapers” and VF-2 “Bounty Hunters.”

The kit is currently slated for release on August 4. Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Tamiya to Release New 1/48 F-14D Tomcat Model Kit

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Original NASA F/A-18 Hornet Simulator Tub Offered For Sale

A unit described as an original NASA F/A-18C Hornet tactical operational flight trainer tub has hit the market.

The simulator reportedly consists of the overall aluminum frame, a seat, two sets of front instrument panel frames (for analog and glass cockpit setups), throttle panel, most of the side interior avionic panels and electric load controller for the control column.

The unit is described as a great foundation for those seeking “100% realism” in their simulator project. The unit is currently based in Orlando, Florida and is reportedly authorized for US buyers only. It is currently available for $7,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Preparing For Oshkosh Appearance, Kermit Weeks Documents Sopwith Snipe’s First Flight in Five Years [Video]

As Kermit Weeks prepares to bring four of his WW1 aircraft to the upcoming AirVenture Fly-in, he recently returned his Sopwith Snipe to the air for the first time in five years, documenting the event in a newly released video.

The aircraft was constructed by The Vintage Aviator, Ltd in New Zealand and is powered by a Bentley BR2 rotary engine. It represents the early incarnation of the Snipe, which employed a smaller rudder and lacked the large, balanced ailerons seen on later models. The markings represent E8102, flown by Maj. W.G. Barker during his lone encounter with 60 Fokker D.VIIs on October 27, 1918, during which he managed to shoot down four aircraft before crash landing over Allied lines with severe wounds. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions and the fuselage of his original machine is now preserved at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Continue reading Preparing For Oshkosh Appearance, Kermit Weeks Documents Sopwith Snipe’s First Flight in Five Years [Video]

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Aeroplane Heaven Releases New Bristol Bulldog For FSX, P3D

Flight Simulation developer Aeroplane Heaven has released their new Bristol Bulldog Mk IIA for FSX, FSX SE and P3D.

As previously reported, the representation of the golden age RAF fighter, which trained many pilots who served in the Battle of Britain, is the result of careful research with “much attention to detail.” It is reportedly being created using the latest tech and techniques to be “the definitive tribute to this iconic and important aeroplane.”

Features are said to include the type’s special pressurized gas-starting system, a wing-mounted, wind-powered generator, cocking levers on the twin Vickers machine guns and opening ammunition boxes. In addition, the brake wires and levers on the wheels are animated and all wires and struts are touted as being correctly modeled and complete with scale turnbuckles.

For the first week of the release, the company is reportedly offering the Bulldog along with the Grumman F3F for no extra cost.

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Running, Ex-Grumman Avenger Curtiss-Wright R2600 Display Engine 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 running, 1,900 hp Curtiss Wright Twin Cyclone R2600-20 display engine has hit the market.

This particular R2600 is said to have powered a Grumman Avenger that performed a forced landing following power loss in 1999. The engine was reportedly spared from serious damage, while the cause of the incident “seemed to be fuel related.” After 12 years in storage, the powerplant was reportedly taken apart down to the case, cleaned, inspected and put back together for use as a ground running display.

Propeller is a Hamilton Standard, blades are actually from a DC3 and shortened to a diameter of 82″. Engine has all standard carb, magnetos, starter, fuel and oil pumps as would have been on the Avenger, exhaust and engine mount are also standard from the airplane. The custom built trailer is engineer designed and professionally built, axels are rubber bumper type 3500lbs each with brakes on one axel. Fuel and oil tanks are custom made TIG welded aluminum, 10 gal fuel and 20 gallons oil, the fuel is enough for 20 minutes of running. Two large 12V truck batteries in series for 24V will give many starts prior to recharging.

The engine reportedly “runs great” and had about 218 hrs since overhaul prior to the crash. However, the seller states “I might get asked if it’s airworthy, not without an overhaul.”

The R2600 is currently located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and is available for US $24,050, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Airfix Releases New Tool Vickers Wellington Model Kit

Airfix has released their new tool Vickers Wellington model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the kit (A08019) was designed with the aid of original engineering drawings and other rare Wellington information to provide historical accuracy and “impressive levels of detail.”

It reportedly includes decals representing Mk.1A N2980 “R” Robert of No 20 Operational Training Unit and Mk.1C L7818 of No 75 [New Zealand] Squadron. The latter machine is also featured on the kit’s box art and is depicted after it was attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 110 during a bombing run over Germany on the night of July 7/8, 1941. The machine was severely damaged and a fire had erupted on the starboard wing, prompting Sergeant James Allen Ward to climb out of the bomber’s astrodome hatch and attempt to smother the flames with a canvas cockpit cover. The dangerous gamble paid off and he was able to stop the spread of the flames, allowing the aircraft to return home and earning Ward the Victoria Cross.

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Complete AT-6 / Harvard Mk IV 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 1952 Canadian Car & Foundry Harvard Mark IV / AT-6 (CCF-4-179) has hit the market.

The aircraft, which is described as complete, has reportedly been sitting in a hangar for 30 years and is in need of work to return to the air. It is said to be equipped with a Pratt & Whitney engine / Hamilton Standard propeller, and its log book documents a total time of 7,733.3 hrs.

The machine is currently located at the Delaware County Airport, Muncie, Indiana and is being offered for US $89,500, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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New Engineering Plan Announced to Return DH Mosquito RL249 to UK Skies

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Leicestershire-based charity The People’s Mosquito (TPM) has announced an “achievable, structured five-year engineering plan” to return de Havilland Mosquito RL249 to UK skies.

The news reportedly comes after close consultation with the historic aircraft experts at Retrotec, Ltd. and includes the launch of a dedicated fundraising campaign which seeks to raise “£499,000 over the next 12 months to deliver the successful front-end engineering, tooling and design and fabrication of the Mosquito FB.VI fuselage mould in the UK.”

The funding will reportedly support “crucial UK CAA due diligence from the outset of the project” and enable Retrotec’s engineers to analyze TPM’s massive technical library and develop exact computer aided design (CAD) models for the airframe. Additionally, the funding will allow Retrotec’s workshops to be reconfigured to accommodate the build and enable the fabrication the Mosquito’s unique fuselage mold, which will see the return of a manufacturing capability “not seen on these shores for more than 75 years.” Continue reading New Engineering Plan Announced to Return DH Mosquito RL249 to UK Skies