Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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CAF’s B-24 “Diamond Lil” Nearing Return to Flight

After being grounded in 2016 for restoration, the Commemorative Air Force’s B-24 Liberator “Diamond Lil” is nearing its return to the air.

The aircraft (AM927) was delivered to the British in May 1941 and transferred to Trans World Airlines (TWA) to conduct training of RAF pilots out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A landing accident shortly thereafter resulted in the bomber being returned to Consolidated in San Diego. In July 1942, it returned to service as the C-87 Liberator Express prototype, acting as a personnel and equipment transport and test platform. Following the war it was modified with long RY-3 nose and PBY nacelles and saw further use as an executive and personnel transport. It was acquired by the CAF in 1968.

The recent work was based on an ambitious plan to ensure continued flights well into the future. This initiative included an interior restoration and the overhaul of three engines – the last of which has just arrived at the CAF facility in Texas.

It is hoped that “Diamond Lil” will return to the air by July to continue its role as the oldest flying B-24. Click below to check out a selection of recent photos.

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2/3 Sal/Falco Type P-51 Mustang 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 2/3 scale P-51 Mustang has hit the market.

The aircraft reportedly consists of Sal/Falco type plans and construction, an LS-1 engine (said to be in “good condition”) and a 4-blade propeller with PSRU and ignition system custom built for the engine type. A digital com radio is also included.

The machine is located in East Texas and is currently being offered for $23,000, although bids are also being accepted. 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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HpH Releases New Images of Upcoming 1/32 DC-3/C-47 Model

HpH Models has released new images of their upcoming new tool DC-3/C-47 models in 1/32 scale.

Two kits will reportedly be made available, beginning with the C-47. However, additional details are still scarce at the moment and pricing, availability and full kit contents remain a mystery.

Click below to check out additional images.

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Hangar 9 To Release Sport Scale F6F Hellcat RC Model

Hangar 9 has announced the upcoming release of a 15cc Sport Scale F6F Hellcat RC model.

The offering is said to boast “realism with the specific needs of the sport pilot,” resulting in a “large model that’s easy to handle and offers the awesome look of a high-performance fighter.” Features reportedly include lightweight, laser-cut balsa and plywood construction, factory-applied UltraCote film covering and realistic markings and graphics with three nose-art decal choices.

The model’s hardware package is touted as offering everything needed for the installation of an internal-combustion or electric power engine, while the fiberglass cowl “provides enough space to conceal any of the recommended engine or motor recommendations.”

The Hellcat is currently slated for release in mid-July. Click below to check out a promotional video.

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XP-82 Twin Mustang Nears Completion, AirVenture 2018 Debut Planned

The decade-long restoration of the XP-82 Twin Mustang prototype (S/N 44-83887, seen above) is nearing completion, and the team behind the project is hoping that it will be ready in time for a planned debut at AirVenture 2018.

As previously reported, the F-82 long-range escort fighter was designed late in WW2 and became the last propeller-driven fighter produced in quantity for the U.S. Air Force. Tom Reilly of Douglas, Georgia acquired the XP-82 prototype from Walter and Margaret Soplata in 2008 and restoration to airworthy condition began that July 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.

Interest in the restoration of this exceedingly rare machine has been high, and Reilly states that “There is no better place than Oshkosh to make the first public flights of this aircraft, which is why it is our intent to complete the restoration and testing so we can be a part of AirVenture 2018.”

The AirVenture fly-in is scheduled to take place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 23-29.

(via EAA)

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1942 N2S-3 Stearman 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 1942 N2S-3 Stearman N62598 has hit the market.

The aircraft was reportedly converted and reconditioned from duster service in 1985 and is described as “extremely low time” and “a blast to fly.” The airframe is said to have a total time of 1,458 hrs while the R-985-14B engine has 464 hrs SMOH. The prop (Hamilton Standard 2D30 with 6101A blades) has 188 hrs since overhaul by Maxwell Propellers.

The machine reportedly features Redline brakes, ADC oil filter system, smoke system, custom Beech 18 cowling, original data plate, thorough maintenance records and complete logs dating back to the factory test flight, including Naval logs.

The Stearman is located in Verona, Wisconsin and is being offered with a starting bid of $73,000. 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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Exceedingly Rare, Original Focke-Wulf Fw 190 D Blind Instrument Panel 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 blind instrument panel described as a 100% complete, original example from a Focke-Wulf Fw 190D has hit the market.

The listing notes that Fw 190 instrument panels are rare, although Fw 190 D, or “Dora” examples are even harder to find. All instruments are said to be original to the panel while wood and paint are WW2 vintage. The panel is reportedly in very good condition with the gauges still glowing in the dark after 70+ years.

The panel is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and is being offered for $6,500, although bids are also being accepted. 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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CA-18 Mustang “Snifter” Returns to the Air Following Overhaul [Video]

Earlier today, Complete Aircraft Care of Caboolture, Queensland reported that Mustang Flight Australia’s CA-18 Mk. 21 Mustang (A68-110) had performed its first post-overhaul flight.

As previously reported, the aircraft, an Australian-built example of the P-51D, was delivered to the RAAF in 1948 and saw little service prior to being decommissioned in 1957. After being sold, it sat for nearly four decades before becoming the focus of a seven-year restoration by Sandora Aviation in North Brisbane, during which it was converted to a two-seat configuration. In 2002 it returned to the air and is now the the centerpiece of the Caboolture Warplane Museum, providing regular flight experiences with the nonprofit Mustang Flights Australia while also supporting local war service commemorations.

The recent rebuild reportedly brought the aircraft to “better than original” condition while keeping it as historically correct as it was when it came off the production line. The exacting work even included minor changes to the livery to make it a better representation of A68-769 “Snifter,” a machine that served with 82 Squadron in Japan and 77 Squadron in Korea.

The machine’s return to flight reportedly occurred on Monday, and is briefly shown in the teaser video below.

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“Always” PBY-5A Catalina 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 Catalina N9505C (S/N 34027) has hit the market.

The aircraft, which was reportedly used in the movie Always, was modified to a Super Cat configuration with Wright R-2600 engines. The airframe is said to have amassed a total time of 4,667 hrs since new, while the engines have 464 and 890 hrs SMOH. The Hamilton Standard 23E50 props are described as having 699 and 822 hrs SMOH.

The machine lacks avionics and is reportedly in need of restoration, although it “could be made ferriable.” The aircraft is currently located in Ephrata, WA and is being offered for $275,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Top Image: Kaboldy via Wikimedia Commons)

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Spitfire AR501 Performs Post-Restoration Debut Display [Video]

During their May Evening Airshow on Saturday, the Shuttleworth Collection’s Spitfire Mk VC AR501 returned to the air for its first post-restoration public display.

As previously reported, the aircraft was originally built by Westland Aircraft at Yeovil and was issued to No. 310 (Czech) Squadron in 1942, where it escorted USAAF B-17 and B-24 bombers. Later, it would serve with RAF’s Central Gunnery School before finding use as an instructional airframe at Loughborough College.

AR501 was acquired by the Shuttleworth Collection in 1961 and restored to airworthy condition for the 1968 film The Battle of Britain. It entered the shop once again in 1973 for restoration to its authentic wartime condition, eventually returning to flight in in 1975. The most recent work was initially expected to last only 18 months, but eventually expanded into an extensive overhaul that has seen the aircraft completely dismantled and rebuilt. The result is said to be “95% original.”

Saturday’s flight was performed by pilot Stu Goldspink and marked AR501’s first airshow appearance since 2007. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Spitfire AR501 Performs Post-Restoration Debut Display [Video]