Category: Restorations / Reproductions

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Memphis Belle Unveiled, Warbirds Fly In At USAF Museum [Video]

Yesterday, the newly restored B-17F “Memphis Belle” was unveiled in a private ceremony at the USAF Museum in Dayton.

Today’s exhibit opening occurs on the 75th anniversary of the machine’s 25th and final mission, after which it returned to the US and toured the country to promote war bonds and boost morale. Described as “a national aviation treasure and widely recognized symbol of American bravery and heroism during WWII,” the new permanent, public display in the collection’s WW2 gallery reportedly includes interactive displays, rare archival film footage and many personal artifacts which have never before been on display at the museum.

The opening also saw the arrival of B-17s, P-51s and a trainer which will be on public display until 3:30 today, with a shuttle bus service bringing visitors to the display area. The aircraft are expected to depart around 5pm (UPDATE: The aircraft departed around 2:45 due to weather concerns).

Click below to check out videos of the Memphis Belle’s unveiling as well as an overview of its restoration, warbird arrivals, and an interview with Robert K. Morgan, son of the Belle’s primary pilot during WW2.

Continue reading Memphis Belle Unveiled, Warbirds Fly In At USAF Museum [Video]

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USAF Museum’s Memphis Belle Unveiling Festivities Begin With B-17, P-51 Flyover [Video]

Earlier today, three B-17s and five P-51s flew over the USAF Museum in Dayton as festivities get underway for the unveiling of the historic B-17F “Memphis Belle” on Thursday.

The aircraft, which included B-17Gs “Yankee Lady” and “Aluminum Overcast” and B-17G/F “Movie Memphis Belle,” were prevented from landing at the museum due to weather conditions and instead performed as mass flyover which can be seen in the videos below.

As previously reported, the main focus of the three-day celebratory event (May 17-19, 2018) will be the debut of the newly restored Memphis Belle in the museum’s WW2 gallery. In addition, more than 160 WW2 reenactors are expected as well as historic vehicles, memorabilia and artifact displays, music from the era, guest speakers, book signings and films. Continue reading USAF Museum’s Memphis Belle Unveiling Festivities Begin With B-17, P-51 Flyover [Video]

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Renowned WW1 Aircraft Builder TVAL Seeks Production Manager

The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. (TVAL) has listed a vacancy for a Production Manager.

The New Zealand-based aircraft restoration and manufacturing company strives to build “WW1 aircraft, engines and propellers to the same exacting standards they were originally made over 90 years ago,” and is seeking someone “with a keen eye for detail, excellent organisational skills, and an interest and experience in bespoke engineering and manufacturing.”

The Production Manager oversees the manufacture of each and every aircraft component made by TVAL, and each and every aircraft that TVAL constructs under our CAA Part 148 certificate, from start to finish.

In addition to overseeing manufacturing at TVAL, the Production Manager oversees the day-to-day operations at our Wellington workshop, including, but not limited to, supervision of staff, allocation of resources, product manufacture, quality control, and process improvement.

Ideal candidates would possess aviation engineering qualification or an engineering or business-related degree as well as significant experience in a supervisory/leadership role, specifically within a specialty manufacturing/production environment, and can pass a NZ CAA Fit and Proper Person application and CAA Senior Person Interview.

For additional details, visit TVAL’s website.

(Photo: Phillip Capper via Wikimedia Commons)

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Watch Shuttleworth’s New Sopwith Camel Perform Its Debut Display [Video]

On May 6, the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire held their Season Premiere / RAF Centennial airshow – an event that saw the display debut of their new Sopwith Camel reproduction.

The Clerget-powered aircraft was built from original drawings by Northern Aeroplane Workshops in Batley before being transported to Old Warden, where it was covered and assembled by the Shuttleworth team. The machine wears the colors of D1851, “Ikanopit”, a Ruston Proctor-built Camel that operated with 70 Squadron RAF in 1918.

The aircraft performed its maiden flight in May 2017, becoming the fourth Sopwith type based at the museum (others include a Pup, Triplane and Dove).

The historic flight, performed by Chief Pilot Dodge Bailey, can be seen below, along with footage of a training week flight from April.

Continue reading Watch Shuttleworth’s New Sopwith Camel Perform Its Debut Display [Video]

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Newly Restored B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Unveiled [Video]

Following an exterior restoration, B-17 “Preston’s Pride” was unveiled on Saturday in a ceremony at Mefford Field in Tulare, California.

As previously reported, the machine (S/N 44-85738) was originally constructed as a B-17G and delivered to the USAAF in May 1945. It was placed in storage before participating in “Operation Crossroads,” a pair of atomic weapons tests conducted at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands in 1946. From there it moved on to Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio and then the Air Proving Grounds at Eglin AFB in Florida before being struck off charge in August 1958.

Since then it has been on outdoor display in California, serving as a memorial to the 379th Bomb Group. Over the years it was vandalized and damaged in a collision with a runaway truck and was in desperate need of attention. B-17 Archaeology stepped in and not only worked to return the exterior to a factory fresh appearance, but have also been compiling the history of the aircraft, which is the last surviving B-17 from Operation Crossroads. Continue reading Newly Restored B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Unveiled [Video]

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“The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly” Spring 2018 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the seventh issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #7 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 2); Tommy to Fly Again!: Restoration Nearly Completed, Our 100-Year-Old Airplane Will Soon Take to the Sky; Building a Reproduction 1913 Renault WB 70 hp V8 Aero Engine for a B.E.2a; News Briefs: Bastion in the Air Exhibition Opens at RAF Scampton, Memorial Flight Completes B.E.2f Reproduction, Darrin Covington’s ¼ Scale B.E.2c Project; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history.

Click here to purchase!

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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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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]

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New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration

Owls Head Transportation Museum of Owls Head, Maine has released a new video detailing the ongoing restoration of their Fokker Dr.1 reproduction.

The aircraft was built in the 1970s by Kenneth Cianchette and performed at museum events until 2014, when it was discovered that considerable repairs were needed. The museum ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to cover associated costs. As the video below shows, an overhauled Warner radial engine has been acquired and the fuselage is awaiting sandblasting, covering and painting. The wing panels have been shipped to upstate New York for covering by Brian Coughlin, who also covered the ailerons and tail surfaces.

It is hoped that the machine will return to the air by the end of the 2018 season.

Continue reading New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration