Category: Restorations / Reproductions

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“The Flying Machine” Spring 2019 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the 11th issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #11 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 3); Spotlight: Woodall / MAPS Air Museum Sopwith Triplane; Brussel Sprout (NZ Warbirds Association Bristol Scout); News Briefs: Pima Air and Space Museum Sopwith Camel Project, Newly Restored Thomas-Morse S-4B Goes on Display; 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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NAS Wildwood Museum Welcomes F6F Hellcat Acquisition, Restoration to Follow

On Friday, Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum reported the arrival of a new acquisition in the form of F6F-3 Hellcat B/N 66237.

This particular aircraft was constructed by Grumman and assigned to VF-20. On January 12, 1944 it ditched at sea near San Diego during a training mission, sinking to a depth of 3,400 ft. It was recovered in 1970 and displayed at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, followed by the Florida-based National Museum Of Naval Aviation.

The museum, located at Cape May Airport in New Jersey, was recently offered the aircraft, which is said to be approximately 80% restored. The museum plans to launch a new project to restore the aircraft “in the most accurate manner possible” for display. When complete, it will wear the colors of of the Hellcat flown by LTJG Arthur Ray Hawkins of VF-31 who was credited with downing seven Japanese aircraft.

Click below to check out photos of its recent arrival at NAS Wildwood. Continue reading NAS Wildwood Museum Welcomes F6F Hellcat Acquisition, Restoration to Follow

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Newly Restored Mosquito PZ474 Arrives At New Home [Video]

Texas-based Lewis Air Legends has reported the arrival of their newly restored de Havilland Mosquito PZ474, which is one of only four airworthy examples of the type in the world.

As previously reported, the Mosquito FB VI was originally constructed at Hatfield in 1945 and was used for RAF training before serving with 75 Squadron in New Zealand as NZ2384. In the 1950s and 60s the machine was owned by the Insurance Finance Corp. of Studio City, CA, and is believed to have been used by the CIA for intelligence gathering in South America. Continue reading Newly Restored Mosquito PZ474 Arrives At New Home [Video]

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Kermit Weeks Shares March 2019 Messerschmitt Bf 108 Update [Video]

Following up on a two-part series released last month, Kermit Weeks has posted a new video update on the restoration of his 1936 Messerschmitt Bf 108.

The update serves as an installment of Fantasy of Flight’s Mechanic’s Corner and features restoration specialist Paul Stecewycz detailing recent work to the wings, which have been stripped and put into fixtures for skin removal, as well as the control surfaces, cockpit glass, and cockpit instruments.

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares March 2019 Messerschmitt Bf 108 Update [Video]

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Museum of Aviation B-17 Reunites With Its Wings As Restoration Continues

The Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, Georgia has reported a major milestone in the restoration of their B-17 with both wings now attached to the fuselage.

This particular B-17G (S/N 44-83690) was originally delivered to the USAAF on May 9, 1945 and stored in Ohio before moving on to bases in Texas. In 1950 the machine was converted to a DB-17G with the addition of drone control equipment and in 1951 departed for the Marshall Islands to take part in Operation Greenhouse. In 1955, additional drone equipment was added and the aircraft was re-designated DB-17P. It went on to serve with 325th Drone Squadron from 1956-1959 before being removed from the USAF inventory in 1960 and transferred to Grissom AFB in Peru, Indiana, where it is seen above back in 2010.

After sitting on outdoor display for 54 years, the aircraft was moved to the Museum of Aviation in 2015 and became the subject of an extensive restoration that is still ongoing. The museum reports that they “still have much to restore,” but “she looks more like an airplane” with the wings now reunited with the fuselage.

Click below to check out recent photos.

Continue reading Museum of Aviation B-17 Reunites With Its Wings As Restoration Continues

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Collings Foundation to Debut Newly Acquired P-40 With Wings of Freedom Tour

The Collings Foundation in Stow, Massachusetts has announced that their new TP-40N Warhawk will be joining the National Wings of Freedom Tour beginning tomorrow.

The aircraft (N293FR S/N 42-9749) began life as a P-40K which was delivered to the USAAF in 1942. It served with the 11th Air Force, Alaskan Air Defense Command and was damaged near Port Hyden in 1943, being struck off charge shortly thereafter. The machine was recovered in 1975 and eventually underwent restoration to airworthy status, returning to the air in 1986.

In 1990 it became part of the Evergreen Heritage Collection in Arizona and later the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon (where it is seen in the photo above). It was acquired by the Collings Foundation in 2017 and converted to a full dual-control TP-40N.

In addition to joining the Wings of Freedom Tour, the new TP-40N will reportedly be part of Bomber Camp 2019 as well. Click below for photos and additional info.

Continue reading Collings Foundation to Debut Newly Acquired P-40 With Wings of Freedom Tour

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New Video Details Ongoing Restoration of Kermit Weeks’ Seversky P-35A

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has posted a new video update on the restoration of his rare Seversky P-35A.

In the video, Paul Stecewycz offers a brief overview of previous updates before explaining the next phase of the project, which will see the wings going into wing fixtures and the beginning of wing skin removal by FoF sheet metal specialist Rick Reeves. This process serves as the starting point for “fully striping the wings, examining the status of the components, and proceeding to do what is necessary to completely restore both wings to new condition.”

The new update is reportedly a prelude to the next update, “which will take you through the restoration and fabrication process, following a single wing skin from removal, to fabrication, to finishing, to placement back on the wing.”

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading New Video Details Ongoing Restoration of Kermit Weeks’ Seversky P-35A

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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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Newly Restored P-39F Airacobra Performs Maiden Flight in NZ [Video]

On February 26, Jerry Yagen’s P-39F Airacobra performed its first post restoration flight from Ardmore Airfield in Auckland, New Zealand with NZ Warbirds Association President Frank Parker at the controls.

As previously reported, the aircraft is based largely on an ex-Soviet Air Force P-39Q which was recovered around 1995, although it is also said to feature parts obtained from P-39Q 42-20341. The machine (ZK-COB) was restored to airworthy condition by Pioneer Aero Ltd and represents USAAC 220341.

Click below to check out videos of the test.

Continue reading Newly Restored P-39F Airacobra Performs Maiden Flight in NZ [Video]

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Kermit Weeks Shares Updated, Lengthened Video of Curtiss Wright CW-19R Maiden Flight

Kermit Weeks has posted an “updated and lengthened” video showing the arrival and first flight of his Curtiss Wright CW-19R back in 2013/14.

The CW-19 began life as a a civil utility aircraft, performing its maiden flight in 1935. The 19R was a militarized two-seat variant with a Wright J6-7 engine and weapons mountings. The type saw limited use.

Kermit’s example was acquired in 2013 and restored, performing its first post-restoration flight in February 2014. The newly released video captures Kermit flying the machine performing some high flying, a couple of landings and take-offs, and a set of very fast low passes. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares Updated, Lengthened Video of Curtiss Wright CW-19R Maiden Flight