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Preparing For Oshkosh Appearance, Kermit Weeks Documents Sopwith Snipe’s First Flight in Five Years [Video]

As Kermit Weeks prepares to bring four of his WW1 aircraft to the upcoming AirVenture Fly-in, he recently returned his Sopwith Snipe to the air for the first time in five years, documenting the event in a newly released video.

The aircraft was constructed by The Vintage Aviator, Ltd in New Zealand and is powered by a Bentley BR2 rotary engine. It represents the early incarnation of the Snipe, which employed a smaller rudder and lacked the large, balanced ailerons seen on later models. The markings represent E8102, flown by Maj. W.G. Barker during his lone encounter with 60 Fokker D.VIIs on October 27, 1918, during which he managed to shoot down four aircraft before crash landing over Allied lines with severe wounds. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions and the fuselage of his original machine is now preserved at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Continue reading Preparing For Oshkosh Appearance, Kermit Weeks Documents Sopwith Snipe’s First Flight in Five Years [Video]

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Former South African Air Force SNJ Trainer 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 former South African Air Force SNJ-3 has hit the market.

The aircraft (S/N 78-7185 / N7655S) is described as a “a true barn find” and reportedly had its last annual in 2005. It is touted as wearing original SAAF military training colors, including the original green cockpit with gray updated panels. The airframe is said to have 8,300 hrs total time since new, while the engine and prop each have 800 hrs SMOH by SAAF.

The machine reportedly includes an avionics package and logs (including SAAF military) and is located in Rockford, Illinois. It is currently being offered for $110,000. Click here to check out the complete listing.

(via Trade-a-Plane Image: Bureau of Aeronautics, U.S. Navy via Wikimedia Commons)

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Aeroplane Heaven Releases New Bristol Bulldog For FSX, P3D

Flight Simulation developer Aeroplane Heaven has released their new Bristol Bulldog Mk IIA for FSX, FSX SE and P3D.

As previously reported, the representation of the golden age RAF fighter, which trained many pilots who served in the Battle of Britain, is the result of careful research with “much attention to detail.” It is reportedly being created using the latest tech and techniques to be “the definitive tribute to this iconic and important aeroplane.”

Features are said to include the type’s special pressurized gas-starting system, a wing-mounted, wind-powered generator, cocking levers on the twin Vickers machine guns and opening ammunition boxes. In addition, the brake wires and levers on the wheels are animated and all wires and struts are touted as being correctly modeled and complete with scale turnbuckles.

For the first week of the release, the company is reportedly offering the Bulldog along with the Grumman F3F for no extra cost.

Product Page ($27.95)

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Running, Ex-Grumman Avenger Curtiss-Wright R2600 Display Engine 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 running, 1,900 hp Curtiss Wright Twin Cyclone R2600-20 display engine has hit the market.

This particular R2600 is said to have powered a Grumman Avenger that performed a forced landing following power loss in 1999. The engine was reportedly spared from serious damage, while the cause of the incident “seemed to be fuel related.” After 12 years in storage, the powerplant was reportedly taken apart down to the case, cleaned, inspected and put back together for use as a ground running display.

Propeller is a Hamilton Standard, blades are actually from a DC3 and shortened to a diameter of 82″. Engine has all standard carb, magnetos, starter, fuel and oil pumps as would have been on the Avenger, exhaust and engine mount are also standard from the airplane. The custom built trailer is engineer designed and professionally built, axels are rubber bumper type 3500lbs each with brakes on one axel. Fuel and oil tanks are custom made TIG welded aluminum, 10 gal fuel and 20 gallons oil, the fuel is enough for 20 minutes of running. Two large 12V truck batteries in series for 24V will give many starts prior to recharging.

The engine reportedly “runs great” and had about 218 hrs since overhaul prior to the crash. However, the seller states “I might get asked if it’s airworthy, not without an overhaul.”

The R2600 is currently located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and is available for US $24,050, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Airfix Releases New Tool Vickers Wellington Model Kit

Airfix has released their new tool Vickers Wellington model kit in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the kit (A08019) was designed with the aid of original engineering drawings and other rare Wellington information to provide historical accuracy and “impressive levels of detail.”

It reportedly includes decals representing Mk.1A N2980 “R” Robert of No 20 Operational Training Unit and Mk.1C L7818 of No 75 [New Zealand] Squadron. The latter machine is also featured on the kit’s box art and is depicted after it was attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 110 during a bombing run over Germany on the night of July 7/8, 1941. The machine was severely damaged and a fire had erupted on the starboard wing, prompting Sergeant James Allen Ward to climb out of the bomber’s astrodome hatch and attempt to smother the flames with a canvas cockpit cover. The dangerous gamble paid off and he was able to stop the spread of the flames, allowing the aircraft to return home and earning Ward the Victoria Cross.

Product Page ($40.33)

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Complete AT-6 / Harvard Mk IV 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 1952 Canadian Car & Foundry Harvard Mark IV / AT-6 (CCF-4-179) has hit the market.

The aircraft, which is described as complete, has reportedly been sitting in a hangar for 30 years and is in need of work to return to the air. It is said to be equipped with a Pratt & Whitney engine / Hamilton Standard propeller, and its log book documents a total time of 7,733.3 hrs.

The machine is currently located at the Delaware County Airport, Muncie, Indiana and is being offered for US $89,500, 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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New Engineering Plan Announced to Return DH Mosquito RL249 to UK Skies

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Leicestershire-based charity The People’s Mosquito (TPM) has announced an “achievable, structured five-year engineering plan” to return de Havilland Mosquito RL249 to UK skies.

The news reportedly comes after close consultation with the historic aircraft experts at Retrotec, Ltd. and includes the launch of a dedicated fundraising campaign which seeks to raise “£499,000 over the next 12 months to deliver the successful front-end engineering, tooling and design and fabrication of the Mosquito FB.VI fuselage mould in the UK.”

The funding will reportedly support “crucial UK CAA due diligence from the outset of the project” and enable Retrotec’s engineers to analyze TPM’s massive technical library and develop exact computer aided design (CAD) models for the airframe. Additionally, the funding will allow Retrotec’s workshops to be reconfigured to accommodate the build and enable the fabrication the Mosquito’s unique fuselage mold, which will see the return of a manufacturing capability “not seen on these shores for more than 75 years.” Continue reading New Engineering Plan Announced to Return DH Mosquito RL249 to UK Skies

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Museum Completes Repaint of World’s Only “Big Tail” SR-71

Yesterday, the Air Force Armament Museum located at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida completed the process of repainting their SR-71 Blackbird.

As previously reported, the aircraft, SR-71A S/N 61-7959, was completed in 1965 and, in 1975, was modified with a nine-foot boom on its aft end carrying Electronic Countermeasures and an Optical Bar Camera. The result earned the machine the moniker “Big Tail” and it would remain the only example of the type to be fitted with the modification, as tests revealed that the equipment provided no marked advantage. The aircraft performed its last flight in 1976, being placed in outdoor storage before being moved to its current home in 1991.

The project utilized 22 gallons of primer, 22 gallons of paint and newly manufactured information decals. Click below to check out images of the completed machine, including a scrollable panorama.

Continue reading Museum Completes Repaint of World’s Only “Big Tail” SR-71

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Nieuport 17 Reproduction Built For “Flyboys” Movie Will Need New Home

While searching for Spitfire parts in a storage container, Gateguards – UK came upon a Nieuport 17 reproduction that has been deemed “surplus to requirements” and will require a new home.

The aircraft was reportedly built for the 2006 film Flyboys and is believed to be full-scale. It is said to employ wood and fabric construction and has been described as “quite well built and not just a backstage replica.”

It remains to be seen whether the reproduction will be offered for sale. Click below to check out the full announcement.

Continue reading Nieuport 17 Reproduction Built For “Flyboys” Movie Will Need New Home

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“Great Condition” Bell UH-1H Huey 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 1966 Bell UH-1H/205 Huey (S/N 66-1080 / N760HP) is now available for sale.

The machine is described as being in “great condition and able to make airworthy again.” It reportedly comes complete with data plate, maintenance logbooks and many of its components, but lacks an engine, transmission, main/tail rotors, some instruments, radios and cowlings.

The machine is currently located in Tampa, Florida and is available for US$60,000. 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.