Category: WW2 Era (1939-45)

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Restoration of Spitfire AA810 Begins

The Spitfire AA810 Project has begun restoration of the PR.IV flown by Alastair “Sandy” Gunn of 1 PRU RAF.

As previously reported, the machine departed RAF Wick in Scotland for a photo reconnaissance mission to Trondheim, Norway on March 5, 1942. During the flight, Gunn was forced to bail out after being shot down by two Messerschmitts of Jagdgruppe Losigkeit near Surnadal. Gunn became a POW and took part in The Great Escape in 1944, but sadly was recaptured and executed.

The remains of the Spitfire were recovered in July, with “some 70% of the aircraft” remaining intact. It will now receive a full restoration to airworthy status and will reportedly incorporate a significant amount of original material. The Project has enlisted Airframe Assemblies to provide CAA Part 21 services and Kennet Aviation for Part 23 and 25 services. Continue reading Restoration of Spitfire AA810 Begins

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Flight Replicas Provides Update on Upcoming Bf 109 G-6, HA-1112

Flight Replicas has shared an update on their upcoming Rolls Royce-powered HA-1112 Buchon for FSX and P3D.

The developer states that the project is taking “a little longer to complete” as it was decided to do the original Spanish Ejército del Aire version of the aircraft, which are nearing completion. The more modern examples of the aircraft are reportedly “ready for delivery.”

As previously reported, Flight Replicas is also developing a Bf 109 G-6, the “basic” mid-production version of which is now complete. According to the update “the only items remaining are to bring the other versions (eg. early and late production, etc.) up to the same standard.”

If all goes well, release of the new machines “shouldn’t be too long now.”

Click below to check out new, WIP screenshots of the Buchon.

Continue reading Flight Replicas Provides Update on Upcoming Bf 109 G-6, HA-1112

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“Museum Quality” Ryan PT-22 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.

Ryan PT-22 N46503 (S/N 1290) has hit the market.

The listing states that the machine has an airframe TTSN of 2,887 hrs, while the Kinner R-55 engine has 196 hrs SMOH by Antique Aero Engines. Additional features reportedly include a King KY-97A Nav/Comm (hidden), PTT Intercom, ELT, as well as “new wing spars at time of restoration.”

The aircraft is located in central Florida and is available for $97,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Photo: SDASM Archives [Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons)

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Kermit Weeks Unboxes BF 109 Project, Reveals “Big Decision” About Restoration [Video]

Fantasy of Flight founder Kermit Weeks has released a new video featuring the unboxing of a Bf 109 project he acquired from 109 restoration specialist Don Bradshaw in recent years.

The crate reportedly contains a wrecked Bf 109 downed in WW2 and is a “project waiting to be restored.” The video shows Kermit and his crew unpacking the crate, going through the contents and revealing a “big decision” about the restoration.

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Unboxes BF 109 Project, Reveals “Big Decision” About Restoration [Video]

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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.

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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“Award Winning” T-6G 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.

An “award winning” North American T-6G has hit the market. The listing states:

The Next T6-G that will sell. Reduced for quick sale. AFTT: 10606 Eng: SMOH: 946. Fresh SAFO inspection IAW Covington 15007, oil Lab since 2007, running strong. All the Mods, Garmin 696 WX, 430 WAAS GTX330, Nice cockpits, beautiful restoration. Red Line brakes, smoke, Jasco etc. Owner to focus on less warbirds and getting family aircraft. Stored in heated Private Hangar KDXR. Military logs, manuals available. Prop and Gov. just overhauled by calendar and owners commitment to safety. Fresh Annual underway and fresh 411/413 checks. Reduced from 249K.

The machine is located in Danbury, Connecticut and is currently available for US $189,000, 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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Watch BBMF’s Spitfire PM631 Perform Its First Flight Since 2014 [Video]

Yesterday, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) Spitfire Mk XIX PM631 returned to the air for the first time sine 2014.

The aircraft was originally built by Vickers-Armstrong in 1945 but did not see action in WW2. In 1951 it was assigned to Meteorological Research Flight and conducted temperature and humidity flights until 1957, when it became part of BBMF. It went on to fly in the 1968 film Battle of Britain and currently wears the colors of 541 Squadron, which performed photo reconnaissance over Europe from early 1944 to the end of the war. The machine was grounded in 2014 and fitted with an overhauled Griffon engine.

Yesterday’s flight was conducted by Sqn Ldr Mark Discombe, who described the machine’s handling as “sweet.” Click below to check out a video of the flight.

Continue reading Watch BBMF’s Spitfire PM631 Perform Its First Flight Since 2014 [Video]

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Spitfire PT462 “In Need of Some TLC” Following Gear Up Landing

The Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) has announced that Spitfire T.9 PT462 “Indy” “is in need of some TLC” following a gear up landing earlier today.

The incident reportedly occurred during an ARCo flight to Denham Aerodrome. Both the pilot and co-pilot were unharmed, although the aircraft sustained damage that will be evaluated upon its arrival back to ARCo’s Duxford facility.

The machine was originally built as a single-seat HF IX in 1942 and went on to serve with 253 Squadron in the Mediterranean as well as the Italian and Israeli Air Forces. Its remains were recovered from Israel in the early 1980s and transported to Winchester, UK, where it was rebuilt by Charles Church – being converted to a two-seat T.9 in the process. Continue reading Spitfire PT462 “In Need of Some TLC” Following Gear Up Landing

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“Beautifully Restored, Ready to Fly” 1954 Harvard Mk IV 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 “beautifully restored, ready to fly” 1954 Harvard Mk IV is available for sale. The listing states:

Serial # PC513331; Registration # N52494; Features Include: Polished aluminum exterior, 5000 hours Total Time, 490 Hours since Engine Overhaul, KY195B Nav / Com, KT76A Transponder, Northstar M1 GPS, New Warbird Intercom, Pre-Oiler, Cleveland Brakes, Polished Propeller, Prop Spinner, New Seats, Like New Glass, Original exhaust plus a custom exhaust!

The aircraft is located in St Louis, Missouri and is currently being offered for US $185,900, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

(Photo: Bill Larkins via Wikimedia Commons)

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Aeroplane Heaven Announces Development of Spitfire Family for FSX, P3D

Following the release of their new Dunkirk Spitfire Mk.1A, Aeroplane Heaven has announced the “next chapter” in their tribute to the iconic type with the development of the MkV family and the MkIX.

The upcoming releases will reportedly include “A”,”B” and “C” wing variants, tropical filters, clipped-wings and cockpits finished “in all the detail of the ‘Dunkirk’ project with refinements to match the marques represented.” The developer also states that for the first time, they will introduce an optional high definition static pilot figure.

The aircraft will reportedly be ready “later in the year” and will likely be for FSX and P3D, although this could change “depending on events over the coming months.”

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading Aeroplane Heaven Announces Development of Spitfire Family for FSX, P3D