Category: Restorations / Reproductions

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Support Sought to Refurbish Lytham St Annes Spitfire W3644

The Lytham St Annes Spitfire Centre in Lancashire, England has launched a fundraising campaign to refurbish and repaint the full-scale Spitfire Mk Vb reproduction (W3644) adorning the Lytham St Annes Fighter, Bomber & Coastal Command Memorial at Fairhaven Lake on the Fylde Coast.

The reproduction was acquired the volunteers of the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Display Team following three years of fundraising and was placed on display in 2013. However, it was recently removed from its plinth for much needed repairs, improvements and repainting.

Funds raised during the campaign will reportedly help return the Spitfire to public display and will also be used to carry out work on the associated RAF memorial plaques, which are said to be “in dire need of repolishing and colour infills.”

Click below to learn more.

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New Video Captures C-53 “Beach City Baby” Returning to the Air for the First Time in 25 Years

On October 6, C-53 Skytrooper “Beach City Baby” returned to the air for the fist time in 25 years following over two years of work.

The aircraft (S/N 41-20095) was constructed by Douglas and was on the factory floor when the Pearl Harbor attack occurred in December 1941. It was delivered to the USAAC in January 1942 and was soon flown to Africa to participate in Operation Torch. The machine also saw service transporting troops and VIPs during the war and completed its service with FEA, Cairo Division.

Following civilian service with Danish Airlines/SAS and a stint as “Buckeye One,” the official state aircraft for the governor of Ohio, the Skytrooper was retired and flown to the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio where it remained until 1990, when it was acquired by Ohio University of Athens and stripped of its engines. Eventually Ken Joseph stepped in and returned it to an airworthy state, obtaining a ferry permit and flying it to Beach City, Ohio in 1992. Continue reading New Video Captures C-53 “Beach City Baby” Returning to the Air for the First Time in 25 Years

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Time-Lapse Video Captures Work on USAF Museum’s Avro 504 Restoration

The USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio is currently in the process of restoring their Avro 504K and recently released a time-lapse video detailing the process of removing fabric from the machine’s fuselage.

As previously reported, this particular example of the famous WW1 British trainer was originally constructed by the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Aircraft Maintenance & Development Unit in 1966-67 using original parts, including a 110 hp Le Rhone rotary engine. It arrived at the USAF Museum in 2003 and has since been on display in its Early Years Gallery wearing the colors of an aerobatic trainer of AEF No. 3 Instruction Center, based at Issoudun, France in 1918.

The next steps will include cleaning the airframe structure and engine and replacing the fabric with a period correct linen.

Click below to check out the new video.

Continue reading Time-Lapse Video Captures Work on USAF Museum’s Avro 504 Restoration

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Newly Restored Albatros D.Va Performs First Engine Test [Video]

Yesterday, the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust’s newly restored Albatros D.Va (G-WAHT) performed its first engine test at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, UK.

As previously reported, the reproduction, formerly ZK-TGY, was a regular performer on the UK Airshow Circuit in 2015-2016 and was originally constructed by The Vintage Aviator Ltd. of New Zealand, which also carried out the recent work. As seen above, it initially appeared in the colors of the machine flown by Paul Baumer of Jasta 5, however it has been repainted to represent D.2263, flown by Otto Kissenbert of Royal Bavarian Jasta 23b.

The Albatros arrived at The Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, UK last month where it underwent reassembly. It is expected to remain at the location until the process of obtaining a flight permit is complete. Click below to check out a video of yesterday’s test.

Continue reading Newly Restored Albatros D.Va Performs First Engine Test [Video]

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Lancaster FM104 Arrives at New Home, Airworthy Restoration to Begin

Last week, a convoy of trucks carrying Avro Lancaster FM104 arrived at the British Columbia Aviation Museum near Victoria International Airport in North Saanich, Canada.

The bomber was originally built by Victory Aircraft of Malton, Ontario in 1944 and, installed along Toronto’s waterfront following its retirement from the RCAF in 1964. In 1999, it was moved to a museum in Downsview Park, where a restoration effort began. However, it was relocated once again when the museum closed in 2011. The machine has spent recent years in storage at Edenvale Aerodrome west of Barrie while its future became a topic of debate.

In July, the museum became the successful bidder and, now having formally taken possession of the machine from the city of Toronto, the “long process of restoration” will begin. The work will be carried out in cooperation with Victoria Air Maintenance and will focus on returning the machine to flying condition. The machine’s components will reportedly be on public display throughout the process.

Click below to check out photos of FM104’s arrival at its new home.

Continue reading Lancaster FM104 Arrives at New Home, Airworthy Restoration to Begin

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Adorned in New Livery, Albatros D.Va Arrives in UK Following Rebuild

The WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust has posted a progress report on the rebuild of Albatros D.Va G-WAHT.

The reproduction, formerly ZK-TGY, was a regular performer on the UK Airshow Circuit in 2015-2016 and was originally constructed by The Vintage Aviator Ltd. of New Zealand, which also carried out the recent work. As seen above, it initially appeared in the colors of the machine flown by Paul Baumer of Jasta 5, however it has been repainted to represent D.2263, flown by Otto Kissenbert of Royal Bavarian Jasta 23b.

The Albatros arrived at The Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, UK last week and is currently undergoing reassembly. It is expected to remain at the location until the process of obtaining a flight permit is complete.

Click below to check out a series of recent photos.

Continue reading Adorned in New Livery, Albatros D.Va Arrives in UK Following Rebuild

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Fighter Escort Wings P-51 Project 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 Fighter Escort Wings Replica P-51D Mustang has hit the market. The product description states (in part):

FEW P51D Mustang, 2/3 size replica, composite construction. Almost ready for sign-off. Taxi tested. Experienced builders wish to sell as a project rather than as flying aircraft. Airframe largely complete, and primed ready for topcoat. All systems installed and functional. Some minor finish details and avionics to be completed. Weight & balance as per specifications. Engine 383 cu.in. Chevrolet bowtie cast iron small block stroker, professionally built by experienced race-engine builder.

The machine is reportedly equipped with an “actual P-51 electrical panel” while offering “exceptional workmanship throughout.” It is located in Hillsboro, Oregon and is currently being offered for US $165,000, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Hawker Hurricane V7497 Performs First Flight in Nearly 78 Years [Video]

Hawker Hurricane V7497 (G-HRLI) has performed its first flight since being shot down by Bf 109s over Kent, England nearly 78 years ago.

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 was 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 were fitted with reproduction .303 Browning machine guns complete with “all the adjustment mechanisms fitted internally as per the original aircraft.”

The machine performed its first post-restoration flight from Elmset and will eventually be based at Duxford as a permanent home. Click below to check out a video of the test.

Continue reading Hawker Hurricane V7497 Performs First Flight in Nearly 78 Years [Video]

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Lysander V9312 Returns to the Air After 14-Year Restoration

After 14 years of “meticulous restoration work” Lysander V9312 returned to the air yesterday evening for its first post-restoration flight.

As previously reported, the aircraft (seen above in Florida prior to restoration) was originally built in 1940 and operated with 612, 225 and 4 Squadrons before being converted into a target tug and delivered to Canada in 1942, where it saw service with the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Following its final flight in 1944, the machine was acquired by an owner in Saskatchewan and placed in storage. It was later acquired by Kermit Weeks before being passed on to the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford in 2003.

The aircraft returned to the air for its second flight earlier this afternoon and the team will reportedly be working through the rest of the air-test schedule before finishing off the last few aesthetic touches in time for its scheduled public debut at The Goodwood Revival 2018.

Click below to check out images of yesterday’s flight.

Continue reading Lysander V9312 Returns to the Air After 14-Year Restoration

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“Possibly Nicest BT-13 Restoration On The Planet” 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 Consolidated Vultee BT-13A touted as “possibly the nicest BT-13 restoration on the planet” has hit the market.

The aircraft (S/N 10425 / N313BT) is reportedly equipped with an avionics package, a Pratt & Whitney R-985 with heavy wall piston pins and an upgraded supercharger bearing, and a Hamilton Standard Prop with 6101A-12 full length blades. The machine is said to be in “excellent condition” with everything being “either overhauled To zero time condition or brand new.”

The airframe has a total estimated time of 2,125 hrs, although there is said to be “only 125 hours on everything” since complete restoration.

The Vultee is reportedly located in California and is currently being offered for US $129,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Platinum Fighter Sales via Trade-a-Plane)