Category: Restorations / Reproductions

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Hurricane V7497 Returns to Life 78 Years After Being Shot Down [Video]

Yesterday, Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 V7497 (G-HRLI) performed the first test of its original Merlin III engine, nearly 78 years after it was downed by Bf 109s over Sutton in Kent, England.

The aircraft was manufactured by Hawker Aircraft, Ltd in mid-1940 and issued to 501 Squadron at the height of the Battle of Britain. It was only a few weeks old when it was shot down on September 28, 1940 – the pilot, Everett Bryan Rogers, escaping by parachute. After identification and the recovery of key components, the decision was made to restore the aircraft to airworthy condition “as a tribute to all those that stood firm during the Battle of Britain.”

The Merlin was rebuilt by Eye Tech Engineering, while the airframe is being restored by the experts at Hawker Restorations along with its sister company, AJD Engineering. The process included the use of original drawings to scratch build new wings, which will be fitted with reproduction .303 Browning machine guns complete with “all the adjustment mechanisms fitted internally as per the original aircraft.”

Click below to check out a video of yesterday’s test.

Continue reading Hurricane V7497 Returns to Life 78 Years After Being Shot Down [Video]

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Kermit Weeks Provides New Video Update On Seversky P-35 Restoration

Kermit Weeks has shared a new video detailing the ongoing work on his exceedingly rare Seversky P-35.

As previously reported, the machine 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 Kermit’s by Florida-based Fantasy of Flight attraction in 1992. When complete, this will be the only airworthy example of the type in the world.

The newly released video was reportedly filmed in the summer of 2017 and documents the fuselage being detached from the center section and “put into a rotisserie fixture for easier access during the restoration process.”

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Provides New Video Update On Seversky P-35 Restoration

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Kermit Weeks Shares Sopwith Pup Update Following First Flight Incident [Video]

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has released a new video detailing the first taxi run, final rigging and maiden flight of his new Sopwith Pup reproduction.

As previously reported, the Le Rhone-powered aircraft was damaged during the test when the cowling became detached during a low pass approach. Thankfully, Weeks managed to land the machine and walk away unharmed.

Click below to check out the new video.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares Sopwith Pup Update Following First Flight Incident [Video]

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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.

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

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Museum of Flight to Hold Welcome Ceremony for Newly Restored B-52 “Midnight Express”

The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington has announced a Welcome Ceremony for their newly restored B-52 Stratofortress “Midnight Express.”

As previously reported, the bomber (S/N 59-2584) had been parked outdoors at the museum’s Paine Field facility in Everett for the past 26 years. A $2.2 million effort was launched to restore the machine for use as the centerpiece of a new Vietnam Air War Memorial Park, which will pay tribute to the aircraft of the Vietnam War and honor the service members who flew and supported them.

The fuselage will be the largest and final piece of the restored aircraft to arrive the museum. It is currently scheduled to depart Paine Field in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, June 3, travelling south on I-405 to I-5, then towards the museum on East Marginal Way South. The public is invited to watch its arrival at Raisbeck Aviation High School parking lot, where it will eventually be reassembled for display in the new memorial park, which will reportedly begin construction this fall. Continue reading Museum of Flight to Hold Welcome Ceremony for Newly Restored B-52 “Midnight Express”

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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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Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Damaged During Test Flight [Video]

Kermit Weeks’ Le Rhone-powered Sopwith Pup reproduction suffered damage after the cowling became detached during its first post-restoration flight.

Weeks states that he “took off fine” and “flew around for about 15 minutes with the 80 hp Le Rhone rotary engine running nicely.” He performed numerous figure eights over the field before coming in for a photo pass. He slowly lowered the nose, and just before reaching Fantasy of Flight’s runway, was given “a rather sudden, noisy, and spectacular surprise.”

The nose cowl is held on by a cable that clamps into a grooved slot on the outside of the firewall. When I slightly dropped the nose, the increased airspeed caused the not-so-properly-adjusted cowl to jump the groove and the rotating engine quickly shred it into numerous pieces, sending shrapnel everywhere, damaging the wings, and wrapping cowling around the center section and flying wires that began to flutter in the 80 mph breeze!

Weeks notes that he immediately shut the engine down and focused on landing the plane, which can be seen in the newly released video below, along with photos of the aftermath.

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Kermit Weeks’ Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Nearing First Flight

Kermit Weeks’ Le Rhone-powered Sopwith Pup is reportedly nearing its first post-restoration flight.

As seen above, the machine is one of two Sopwith Pups based at the Polk City, Florida attraction. Both were damaged during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and have since been rebuilt, with the first example being returned to airworthy status in the colors of N6205 “BETTY” flown by Sub Lt Joseph Fall of 3 Squadron RNAS. The second Pup will also be restored to fly, but will initially remain uncovered in order to reveal its wooden structure.

Weeks states that they are “getting close on getting the Sopwith Pup ready for a test-flight” and notes that FAA is coming out later this week.

Click below to check out a selection of recent photos.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks’ Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Nearing First Flight

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Mississippi F-86L Sabre Arrives at New Home, Restoration to Follow [Video]

On Tuesday, Chennault Aviation & Military Museum in Monroe, Louisiana welcomed a new arrival in the form of an F-86L Sabre.

The aircraft (S/N 53-01061) is said to have been acquired from a base in Crystal Springs, Mississippi by a local doctor many years back. He transported it to a VFW post along I-55 near Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where it has been on outdoor display since 1968. The post closed about a decade ago and the aircraft has since suffered from vandalism and continued exposure to the elements.

The museum reportedly went through a lengthy approval process in order to receive the Sabre and also launched coordination and fundraising efforts to relocate it. The machine will now be restored on museum grounds and displayed “on certified loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force.”

The restoration will be performed by volunteers and is expected to take roughly a year and a half.

Click below to check out local news coverage and photos of its arrival.

Continue reading Mississippi F-86L Sabre Arrives at New Home, Restoration to Follow [Video]

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Manned, 1/3 Scale B-17 “Bally’s Bomber” to Attend AirVenture 2018

Jack Bally’1/3 scale, manned B-17G reproduction will reportedly attend the AirVenture 2018 fly-in this summer.

The Illinois-based machine was built over a 17 year period using 1/9 scale RC model aircraft plans and carries a single pilot. It is powered by four Hirth 3002 4-cylinder 2-stroke engines, spans 34′ 7″ and weighs an estimated 1,800 lbs empty – a far cry from the full-scale machine’s 36,134 lb weight. It received its airworthiness certification in October 2016 and performed its maiden flight on November 14th of that year.

The aircraft, also known as “Obsession,” is expected to be on display throughout the week, during which time it will reportedly be alternated between between Boeing Plaza and the Replica Fighters Association. Exact details will be announced as the event draws closer.

AirVenture 2018 is scheduled to take place at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin from July 23-29.

(via EAA Photo via Bally Bomber)