Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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New Photos Provide Detailed Look at HK Models’ Upcoming 1/32 Avro Lancaster

After the release of an initial series of tooling photos last week, Merit International, LLC has provided a new series of images showing details of Hong Kong Models’ upcoming 1/32 Avro Lancaster model kit.

The new images reportedly show the model at the Shizuoka Hobby Show and reveal detail of the fuselage interior and nose turret. Although the company states that it’s “getting closer,” further refinements are still on the way.

When complete, the model will reportedly represent the Mk 1 and include markings for R5868 “S-Sugar” of 467 Squadron RAAF, which became the first bomber to complete 100 missions.

Click below to check out some of the new images.

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F4U-5N Corsair F-AZEG Returns to the Air Following Decade-Long Restoration [Video]

F4U-5N Corsair F-AZEG has performed its first post-restoration flight following nearly 10 years of work.

As previously reported, the aircraft (B/N 124724) was originally constructed in 1951 and delivered to the US Navy in September of that year. In 1952, it was assigned to VC-3 and went on to operate from USS Valley Forge and USS Boxer before returning to the US in 1953.

In 1956 the Corsair was delivered to Honduras and saw action in the “Soccer War” with El Salvador, operating with Fuerza Area Hondurena as FAH 600. After retirement from active service, the aircraft passed through the hands of a number of owners before being acquired by Jean Salis’ Les Casques de Cuir collection based in La Ferté-Alais, France in 1986.

The machine’s return to the air caps off a restoration process that began in 2008. Click below to check out video of the historic occasion.

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Charity Hopes to Preserve Historic Flight Collection As Royal Navy Withdraws Funding

The Royal Navy has reportedly withdrawn funding from Historic Flight, a unit which was “established in 1972 as a living memorial to all those who have served in the Royal Naval Air Service and Fleet Air Arm since the birth of naval aviation in 1909.”

The Yeovilton, Somerset-based collection includes Swordfish Mk.I W5856, Swordfish Mk.II LS326, Swordfish Mk.III NF389, Sea Fury FB.11 VR930 and Sea Hawk FGA.6 WV908. The machines attend air displays throughout the United Kingdom while providing “something of a ‘shop window’ on the Fleet Air Arm.”

The operation of Historic Flight will now be handled by Navy Wings, “the recognized Royal Naval Charity” which “raises money to keep important historic Naval Aircraft in the skies.” A plan is currently underway to transfer the Historic Flight aircraft to the civil register and into Navy Wings ownership. Continue reading Charity Hopes to Preserve Historic Flight Collection As Royal Navy Withdraws Funding

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Spitfire SL721 Makes History Performing First Flight as Belgian Registered Aircraft

Yesterday, Spitfire XVI SL721 completed its first flight since arriving in Belgium earlier this year.

As previously reported, SL721 was built in August 1945 and delivered to the RAF, where it became the personal aircraft of Air Chief Marshall Sir James Milne Robb, a WW1 pilot who served as Commander-In-Chief – Air Forces Europe following WW2. The Packard Merlin 266/R55-powered machine was sold in 1967 and transported to the US, where it would stay until 2002, when it was acquired by Vintage Wings of Canada. After being sold to an enthusiast in Belgium earlier this year, the machine was shipped and reassembled in the FAST Aero workshop in Brasschaat.

The successful flight reportedly consisted of five circuits of the airfield and a smooth landing. In the process, SL721 (OO-XVI) made history, becoming the first Belgian registered Spitfire to fly in over half a century, and the first ever to depart from Brasschaat airfield.

Click below to check out additional images.

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Hong Kong Models Reveals Tooling Samples for Upcoming 1/32 Avro Lancaster

Hong Kong Models has released photos of the tooling samples for their highly anticipated 1/32 Avro Lancaster.

As the Lancaster has “a very complicated shape” and “tons of exterior and internal detail,” the project has been underway for some time and seen continual CAD modifications. The tooling design and fabrication is also said to be extremely complicated, although the results are now beginning to emerge.

The company states that surface details have not yet been added, as the tooling process will continue until June or July. When complete, the model will reportedly represent the Mk 1 and include markings for R5868 “S-Sugar” of 467 Squadron RAAF, which became the first bomber to complete 100 missions.

Click below to check out additional images.

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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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Restored Vickers-Supermarine Seafire PP972 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.

Vickers-Supermarine 358 Seafire LF.IIIC PP972/G-BUAR has hit the market.

The aircraft is said to be one of only three remaining airworthy Seafires in the world and the only Merlin-powered Seafire to see combat. It was originally built under contract by Westland Aircraft, Ltd. in 1944 and was assigned to 809 (Naval) Squadron, which was deployed to the Far East and participated in Operations Dracula, Bishop, Balsam and Zipper.

In 1946 the machine was assigned to 767 (Naval) Squadron, part of No.1 Operational Flying School at RNAS Easthaven, before being transferred to the French Navy, where it served with No.1 Flottille at Hyeres.

The aircraft was reportedly restored to airworthy condition by Air Leasing, Ltd. from 2012-2015 and now represents a Seafire of 880 (Naval) Squadron Serving aboard HMS Implacable. The airframe, engine and propeller are said to have amassed a total of 15 hours since ground-up professional restoration/overhaul.

The machine is currently based in the UK and is said to be accompanied by “complete documentation of all work and updates per current CAA Regulations.” Seller must be contacted for pricing details. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Photo: Alan Wilson via Wikimedia Commons)

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Newly Restored Bf 109 G-6 Performs First Post-Restoration Flight [Video]

Yesterday, Messerschmitt BF-109G-6 D-FMGS performed its first post-restoration flight from Heringsdorf Airport with pilot Klaus Plasa at the controls.

The Daimler Benz 605A-powered aircraft (S/N 440738) was built by Wiener Neustädter Flugzeugwerke in 1944 and is said to be the only original, airworthy example of the type in existence. It served with Jagdgeschwader 27 and crashed on May 29, 1944, being recovered for a restoration project that commenced in Austria in 2007. In 2013, the machine was acquired by Air Fighter Academy of Zirchow, Germany who continued the project along with MeierMotors GmbH of Eschbach, Germany. It is currently based at the Hangar10 collection on the Pomeranian island of Usedom.

Click below to check out newly released images and a video of the flight.

Continue reading Newly Restored Bf 109 G-6 Performs First Post-Restoration Flight [Video]