Category: Videos

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B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Receives Exterior Restoration, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned [Video]

An all-volunteer group dubbed “B-17 Archaeology” has been working to carry out a cosmetic restoration on a B-17 that has been on outdoor display at Mefford Field in Tulare, California since 1958.

Originally constructed as a B-17G, the aircraft (S/N 44-85738) was delivered to the USAAF in May 1945 and 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. Continue reading B-17 “Preston’s Pride” Receives Exterior Restoration, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Planned [Video]

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Lancaster FM104’s Future Could Be Determined By Friday Meeting [Video]

The future of Avro Lancaster FM104 could be determined by a meeting held today.

The bomber was 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 and has since been stored at the Edenvale Aerodrome west of Barrie. The aircraft is now said to be in need of extensive restoration.

The future of FM104 has become the focus of significant debate. The city of Toronto is said to lacks the funds, resources and space to properly maintain and display the machine and would like to donate it to the British Columbia Aviation Museum near Victoria, as it is said to be well equipped for its long-term care. However, the group FM104EVER is against the proposal, viewing the Lancaster as an important part of the local community. The team is working to keep the aircraft in the city and has reportedly assembled a team of experts to restore the aircraft while also identifying potential sites for display.

The city’s Economic Development Committee met today to consider the proposals. Click below to watch.

Continue reading Lancaster FM104’s Future Could Be Determined By Friday Meeting [Video]

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First Look: Brickmania’s Upcoming B-17G LEGO Model Kit [Video]

Brickmania is offering the first look at their upcoming, limited edition B-17G Flying Fortress LEGO model kit.

The representation of the iconic WW2 bomber includes 3,074 LEGO, and BrickArms elements, 10 custom-printed minifigures, 10 .50 caliber BrickArms machine guns mounted on moving turrets, moving flaps, ailerons, and rudder, retractable landing gear, four bombs with opening bomb bay doors, spinning propellers, a detailed interior, printed elements and a high-quality sticker sheet.

The kit is reportedly set for release in the second week of May, although it is now available for pre-order. All kits ordered during the pre-order period will reportedly come with boxes and a Certificate of Authentication signed by the model’s designer, Cody Osell.

Click below to check out a video overview of the model, as well as additional details about availability.

Continue reading First Look: Brickmania’s Upcoming B-17G LEGO Model Kit [Video]

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Nuclear Museum Launches Effort to Restore B-47 Stratojet [Video]

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque is planning to restore New Mexico’s only Boeing B-47E Stratojet, which is currently part of their nine-acre outdoor exhibit area.

The machine (S/N 53-2280) was constructed by Boeing in 1955 and went on to serve mainly as a test bed for “fly-by-wire” technology. Following removal from the USAF inventory in 1969, it was transferred from the USAF Heritage Museum program, and in 2013 arrived at its current home at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

One of only 23 examples of the type remaining, the museum’s B-47 has become part of “Operation Preservation,” a multi-year campaign to refurbish the collection’s iconic aircraft residing on outdoor display. The effort will reportedly begin this month under the supervision of Brigadier General (Ret.) Jay Bledsoe, Restoration Project Manager, and include bodywork and a new coat of primer and paint. Continue reading Nuclear Museum Launches Effort to Restore B-47 Stratojet [Video]

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“Skies of Fury DX” Brings WW1 Aerial Combat to Nintendo Switch [Video]

Nintendo Switch users will soon have the opportunity to engage in “epic” WW1 aerial combat with the upcoming release of Skies of Fury DX.

The game, a version of which was previously released for Android and Apple mobile devices, was developed by Illumination Games and draws inspiration from the look of vintage comics. Players can reportedly fly through “stunning, hand-painted environments” in 10 distinctive WW1 aircraft, taking on the role of both British and German pilots and dogfighting through 100 different missions in single or multiplayer modes.

Additional features are said to include unlocakble upgrades for flying and combat abilities, hundreds of unlockable aircraft customizations and unlockable comics based on the real history of Bloody April.

The game is currently set for release on April 12. Click below to check out the trailer.

Continue reading “Skies of Fury DX” Brings WW1 Aerial Combat to Nintendo Switch [Video]

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B-52 “Midnight Express” Begins Journey to Seattle, Reassembly for New Memorial to Follow [Video]

Last week The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington received the first truckload of parts for their B-52G Stratofortress “Midnight Express” following an exterior restoration.

As previously reported, the bomber (S/N 59-2584) has 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.

Now repainted, the aircraft has been partially disassembled and is now in the process of being moved to the memorial park site on west side of the Museum’s Aviation Pavilion. The museum reports that the “small parts” will be stored until final assembly takes place later this spring.

Click below to check out a video of the first parts following their arrival.

Continue reading B-52 “Midnight Express” Begins Journey to Seattle, Reassembly for New Memorial to Follow [Video]

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Corsair Restoration Nearing Completion in France [Video]

The restoration of F4U-5N Corsair F-AZEG is reportedly nearing completion in France.

The aircraft (B/N 124724) was originally constructed in 1951 and delivered to the US Navy in September of that year. In 1952, the machine was assigned to VC-3 and went on to operate from USS Valley Forge and USS Boxer before returning to the US in 1953.

In 1956 the Corsair was delivered to Honduras and saw action in the “Soccer War” with El Salvador, operating with Fuerza Area Hondurena as FAH 600. After retirement from active service, the aircraft passed through the hands of a number of owners before being acquired by Jean Salis’ Les Casques de Cuir collection based in La Ferté-Alais, France in 1986.

Restoration began in 2008, and the aircraft is expected to return to the air sometime this year.

Click below to check out video of an engine test performed over the weekend.

Continue reading Corsair Restoration Nearing Completion in France [Video]

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Aeroplane Heaven Releases First Trailer For Upcoming FSX, P3D Avro Lancaster [Video]

Flight simulation developer Aeroplane Heaven has released the first trailer for their upcoming Avro Lancaster B Mk 1 for FSX, FSX Steam and P3D V3 and V4.

As previously reported, the new Lancaster is touted as incorporating their latest tech and techniques to “bring you what will be your chance to experience just what it was like to fly and crew this legendary machine in the skies of the latest simulators.” Its exterior will reportedly boast “a massive amount of authentic detail” along with many unique animations and a highly detailed virtual cockpit that will include the front turret and bomber’s compartment, engineer and nav station and radio operator’s positions.

The video shows a beta test flight in the aircraft, including startup procedures, gun tests, and a bombing run, while showcasing the model’s many features and exquisite attention to detail. Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Aeroplane Heaven Releases First Trailer For Upcoming FSX, P3D Avro Lancaster [Video]

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Yak-3 Suffers Significant Damage After Colliding With Cherry Picker at Wanaka Airshow [Video]

While landing at New Zealand’s Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow on Saturday, Yak-3 ZK-YYY collided with a cherry picker that was parked along the grass runway, causing significant damage to the airframe.

The machine had just completed a performance with a second Yak-3 when the incident occurred, which resulted in the separation of the starboard wing. The cherry picker, which was reportedly intended for use in a later event, was unmanned at the time, and thankfully the Yak’s pilot/owner, Arthur Dovey, emerged from the aircraft unharmed.

The machine was previously sent to Russia and converted from a Yak-11 to a Yak-3. It is said to be “very close” to the type’s original specifications, although the scarcity of the original Klimov V12 powerplant resulted in the use of an Allison V1710.

An evaluation of the aircraft will be needed to determine the full extent of the damage. An inquiry will also reportedly be launched the determine why the cherry picker had been positioned in the area.

Click below to watch video of the incident.

Continue reading Yak-3 Suffers Significant Damage After Colliding With Cherry Picker at Wanaka Airshow [Video]

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New Videos Detail Recent Progress on Kermit Weeks’ A-26 Project

Fantasy of Flight (FoF) owner Kermit Weeks has released a new two-part series detailing the ongoing work on his Douglas A-26.

The aircraft (S/N 41-39401) reportedly saw wartime service with the 9th Air Force and served with the Van Nuys Air National Guard before beginning civilian use as N3457G / “Whistler’s Mother.” Later acquired by Weeks, the A-26 was damaged during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and trucked to Chino, California in 1997, where it is now being restored by Carl Scholl and Tony Ritzman of Aero Trader.

The new videos, seen below, were filmed in January, three months after his last Kermie Cam series on the machine. Since then, the team has (among other things) returned the landing gear, wing flaps and flight controls to fully functioning condition and reworked wiring in the cockpit.

The machine will apparently be painted in olive drab and, like FoF’s B-25 and B-17, will feature nose art depicting Weeks’ wife, Teresa.

Continue reading New Videos Detail Recent Progress on Kermit Weeks’ A-26 Project