Category: Restorations / Reproductions

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New Releases: The Flying Machine Fall Issue and 2019 Collection

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the Fall 2019 edition of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #13 Contents (36 Pages): Military Aviation Museum’s Thomas-Morse S-4C Restoration (Part 1); Spotlight: Golden Age Air Museum’s Sopwith Pup; Military Aviation Museum Biplanes & Brews 2019 Recap; News Briefs: Pioneer Flight Museum’s Thomas-Morse S-4C Restoration, Newly Completed Fokker D.VII Begins Ground Testing, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Completes Avro 504K Restoration; Products

In addition to our latest issue, we have also released a new 2019 collection containing issues 10-13 of the journal. Click here to view our complete selection!

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.

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Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of Seversky P-35 Wing Restoration Video Series

Kermit Weeks has released the second part of his FOF Mechanic’s Corner video series detailing the wing skin fabrication of his Seversky P-35A.

In the new video, Fantasy of Flight’s sheet metal specialist Rick Reeves continues the process of restoring the P-35 wing, which was damaged in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew struck the Florida-based collection. The wing skin work begun in part 1 is carried through the final steps of the fabricating process and Rick demonstrates the paint prep and painting, followed by the the wing skin going to the wing for fitting, clecos, and riveting.

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Releases Part 2 of Seversky P-35 Wing Restoration Video Series

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Kermit Weeks Documents Seversky P-35 Wing Restoration in New Video

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has posted a new FoF Mechanic’s Corner video dealing with the restoration of his extremely rare Seversky P-35A. The new update will be released in two parts and features Fantasy of Flight’s metal specialist Rick Reeves “taking us through the process of restoring the P-35 wing.”

To help show all the steps in detail, we’ll follow one particular wing skin through the whole process. Rick starts by pulling the old wing skin off the frame, and then goes through all the steps it takes to bring a new skin to life.

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 Florida-based collection in 1992. When complete, this will be the only airworthy example of the type in the world.

Click below to check out part 1 of the new series.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Documents Seversky P-35 Wing Restoration in New Video

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Cooperation Announced to Build and Display Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 P7056 “Pride of Yeovil”

The Kent Battle of Britain Museum and the Westland Whirlwind Fighter Project have announced a cooperation to build and display an example of the Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 at the Hawkinge-based museum.

According to the announcements, the museum will be helping to raise the needed funds and each sub assembly will be displayed in their Stuart-Buttle Memorial Hangar as they are built. These displays will “bring the work of the Whirlwind Fighter Project to a wider audience” and provide an opportunity for the public to “expand their knowledge of airframe construction and design.”

The twin-engine, single-seat Whirlwind fighter-bomber was developed in the 1930s and went on to serve in WW2, where it saw use in a variety of roles including bomber escort and ground attack. In addition to Hawker Hurricanes, 263 Squadron was equipped with eight Whirlwinds during the Battle of Britain. It was eventually withdrawn from service in 1943 and succeeded by the Hawker Typhoon. Continue reading Cooperation Announced to Build and Display Westland Whirlwind Mk 1 P7056 “Pride of Yeovil”

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Kermit Weeks Shares August Update on Seversky P-35A Project

Kermit Weeks has posted a new update on the restoration of his extremely rare Seversky P-35A.

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 new update details work to the wings. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares August Update on Seversky P-35A Project

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“The Flying Machine” Summer 2019 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 12th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #12 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 4); Spotlight: Berg / Military Aviation Museum Fokker D.VII; Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre’s Sopwith F.1 Camel Reconstruction Project; News Briefs: Restored Fokker D.VII, SE.5a Displayed, KipAero Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter Update, South Australian Aviation Museum Cessna CC-1 Update; 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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CHAA Shares Update on Lancaster FM212 Restoration

The Canadian Historical Aircraft Association has shared an update on the restoration of Avro Lancaster Mk X FM212.

The team reports that the restoration of the cockpit is nearing completion and hope to have it ready by the end of the summer. Reattachment of the nose section and canopy will follow, making two sections of the aircraft fully restored.

Damage to the starboard wing has also been addressed and it is now ready to be reassembled. In addition, many smaller jobs are also said to be underway, including repairing instruments. Restoration is reportedly on track to be completed by 2024. Continue reading CHAA Shares Update on Lancaster FM212 Restoration

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New Kits Reproduce Sopwith Pup “Exactly As It Was 100 Years Ago”

France-based Replic Aero is now offering Sopwith Pup kits that reportedly allow you to “assemble your plane exactly as it was 100 years ago.”

“The metal parts are ready to bend and weld, all the wood parts are ready to be adjusted (for some) and assembled. The Sopwith Pup is available as a complete kit, as a series of sub-kits or as portions of a sub-kit. The Sopwith Pup being assembled is for sale, Ready to cover or covered, the engine and the instruments are the choice of the future owner. Also possible ‘ready to fly.'”

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading New Kits Reproduce Sopwith Pup “Exactly As It Was 100 Years Ago”

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Kermit Weeks Posts May 2019 Seversky P-35A Project Update

Kermit Weeks has posted a new update on the restoration of his extremely rare Seversky P-35A.

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 new update reveals the structure of the port wing panel following removal of the skins and details some of the work that will need to be carried out in order to restore the panel to new condition. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Posts May 2019 Seversky P-35A Project Update

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Siddeley Puma-Powered DH.9 E8894 Performs First Post-Restoration Flight

The Historic Aircraft Collection has announced the first post-restoration flight of de Havilland DH.9 E8894/G-CDLI.

As previously reported, the aircraft is one of two DH.9s discovered in an elephant stable in India and restored over a 15 year period by Guy Black’s Retrotec workshop in East Sussex, England. While the first example (D-5649) was rebuilt for static display at the Imperial War Museum, this second DH.9 was restored to airworthy status and is powered by the only airworthy Siddeley Puma engine in the world. The aircraft is owned by Retrotec’s sister company Aero Vintage and operated by Historic Aircraft Collection.

The flight was reportedly conducted yesterday from the Imperial War Museum’s Duxford airfield with pilot Dodge Bailey at the controls. It lasted 30 minutes and was described as “trouble free.”

Click below to check out photos and video of the test.

Continue reading Siddeley Puma-Powered DH.9 E8894 Performs First Post-Restoration Flight