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Mosquito Pathfinder Trust to Return Wooden Wonder to UK Skies by 2020

The Mosquito Pathfinder Trust has announced “a commercial understanding with the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARC)” to “provide the suite of Engineering and Design Services” for a de Havilland Mosquito airframe that will be brought to airworthy condition before being transferred to the UK.

The machine in question has been under construction by Glyn Powell and is currently said to be 50% complete. The project is based on the remains of NZ2308, which was originally constructed at Bankstown near Sydney as an early model FB.40. It was initially allocated RAAF serial A52-20 before being converted to a T.43 dual control trainer and given the serial A52-1054. In 1947, the machine was acquired by the Royal New Zealand Air Force with less than 20 hrs of service time. Now identified as NZ2308, the Mosquito entered service with 75 Squadron at Ohakea and performed “numerous exercises and aerial demonstrations all over New Zealand.”

The aircraft was declared surplus in 1955 and sold to a private owner. Over the following years it languished outdoors until it was recovered by Powell, who spent the next 20 years working on the project, which included the scratch-built construction of an entirely new wooden airframe. Continue reading Mosquito Pathfinder Trust to Return Wooden Wonder to UK Skies by 2020

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Potez 63-11 Reproduction 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 reproduction of the unique Potez 63-11 French twin-engine WW2 reconnaissance aircraft has hit the market.

The example of the type, which was introduced in the late 1930s and once deemed “the fastest observation airplane in the world,” was reportedly constructed from original blueprints by Jean-Marie Garric beginning in 2005. It is powered by Pratt & Whitney R-985 engines and is equipped with three seats and dual controls.

The aircraft is located in Texas and is available for $625,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(Additional Information via World Warbird News Top Photo: G. Silk, Australian Armed Forces [Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

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First Look: Airfix’s New Tool Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF

Airfix has published the first test build photos of their upcoming new tool Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF in 1/48 scale.

As previously reported, the Blenheim will serve as the first twin engine WWII aircraft type within the Airfix rage to be produced using the very latest design and manufacturing techniques. The larger scale has allowed designers to incorporate far more detail, and they reportedly left no stone unturned in their quest to produce the most accurate kit possible. The team has utilized data gathered from examinations of original Blenheim drawings as well as preserved examples of the type, including the Aircraft Restoration Company’s airworthy Bristol Blenheim Mk.I and the beautifully preserved Blenheim Mk.IV based at the Aviation Museum of Central Finland in Tikkakoski.

The kit (A09186) will include two liveries, including K7159 (YX-N) of 54 Operational Training Unit, and L6739 (YP-Q) of 23 Squadron, which is the scheme currently applied to G-BPIV operated by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford.

The Blenheim is currently slated for release in October. Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading First Look: Airfix’s New Tool Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF

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Official UK Trailer Released For Upcoming WW2 Film “Hurricane” [Video]

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution has released the official UK trailer for the upcoming film Hurricane, which reportedly tells “the untold true story of Squadron 303” and “the Polish fliers who found themselves fighting for the freedom of their own country in foreign skies.”

Seen through the eyes of Jan Zumbach (played by Iwan Rheon), fighter ace and adventurer, it tells how the Poles, driven across Europe by the German war machine, finally made their last stand. Flying Hurricanes for the RAF over Britain, they became a key component in the legend of ‘The Few’. Up against the might of the Luftwaffe they hoped that, by saving Great Britain from Nazi invasion, they were keeping the dream of a free Poland alive.

The film also stars Milo Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge), Stephanie Martini (Crooked House, Prime Suspect 1973), Kristof Hadek (Under the Skin, Dark Blue World, 3 Seasons in Hell), Marcin Dorocinski (Roza, Jack Strong, Pitbull, Anthropoid). The new trailer (seen below) is more lengthy than the teaser released in February, and also shows some new aerial sequences.

Hurricane will reportedly hit UK cinemas and digital platforms on September 7. Continue reading Official UK Trailer Released For Upcoming WW2 Film “Hurricane” [Video]

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Aeroplane Heaven Announces Development of Heinkel He 111 for FSX, P3D

Flight simulation developer Aeroplane Heaven has announced the development of a Heinkel He 111 P-2 for FSX/SE, P3DV3+ and P3DV4+.

This will be the team’s second version of the WW2 German medium bomber, having previously included an example of the type in a Battle of Britain package created for CFS3.

At the moment, additional details on the project are scarce, although the team has released a series of screenshots detailing the work so far. Click below to see more.

Continue reading Aeroplane Heaven Announces Development of Heinkel He 111 for FSX, P3D

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MiG-21 Fishbed Cockpit Section 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.

The cockpit section of a late model MiG-21MF has hit the market.

The aircraft (tactical number 8022) reportedly flew with the 26th Fighter Regiment (Zegrze Pomorskie AB), 11th Fighter Regiment (Wroclaw AB), and 10th Fighter Regiment (Lask AB) and wears emblems from the latter two units.

The cockpit is described as “beautiful” and “complete,” although the description states that no weapons or charges are present and all seat and egress systems are inert. The section reportedly includes a display stand and is located in Calhoun, Georgia. It is currently available for US $14,500, although bids beginning at $9,000 are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Full-Scale Wooden Spitfire Reproduction 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 wooden Spitfire project has hit the market.

The unfinished reproduction is described as incorporating the “same design as the Mosquito with ply/balsawood/ply skins.” It was reportedly “built to fly for a Merlin engine to be fitted,” although approval for the build could not be obtained.

The project is touted as “a great static or taxing full size replica” and can reportedly be supplied with “fibreglass skins, FG wings, and all other parts to finish at extra cost.” It is based in Newquay, UK and is currently available for bidding here.

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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USAF Museum Begins Restoration of Avro 504K [Video]

The USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio has begun restoration of its Avro 504K.

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 aircraft was recently disassembled for transport to the restoration facility, a process that has been captured in the newly released video below. A time frame for completion and color / marking details have not yet been announced. Continue reading USAF Museum Begins Restoration of Avro 504K [Video]

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Original Norden Bombsight 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.

An example of the Norden bombsight, described as “perhaps the most iconic ww2 aircraft component,” has hit the market.

The artifact is touted as original and in excellent condition, with no noticeable flaws apart from a section of the data plate being marked out. It reportedly comes complete with stand and is located in Santa Rosa, California.

The bombsight is currently being offered for US $7,995.99 although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

Please Note: This post contains an eBay affiliate link. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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B-29 “Doc” to Begin Passenger Flights Following FAA Approval

Doc’s Friends, Inc. has reportedly been granted FAA approval to begin passenger flights in the newly restored B-29 Superfortress “Doc”. Each flight experience is expected to last roughly 90 minutes, including a 30 minute ride, and are scheduled to begin at Heavy Bombers Weekend in Madison, WI (July 20-22).

Prior to takeoff, passengers will experience a crew briefing and learn more about the history of the B-29 and the role it played in U.S. history. Passengers will also get to hear and see the sights and sounds of engine starts and run-ups prior to takeoff.

Additional dates will reportedly be added shortly, including ride weekends in Wichita. To book a flight or learn more, click here.

(via Doc’s Friends Photo: Caholguin109 from Wikimedia Commons)