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Douglas A-1D Skyraider With Korean War Service 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 Douglas A-1D Skyraider has hit the market.

The machine is said to have an extensive history in the Korean War, during which it operated from CV-47, USS Philippine Sea. It has reportedly been flying on the civilian registry since 1979, amassing a total time of 3,600 hrs with 700 SMOH. It is also said to be IFR certified with moving map GPS comm.

The machine is currently based in Houston, Texas and is being offered for $1,100,000. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

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Aviation Book, Model Donations Sought to Help Fund Refurbishment of Hawker Hunter F.2

The Sywell Aviation Museum at Sywell Aerodrome in Northampton is seeking donations of military/aviation books, models and model kits in order to raise funds for the restoration of the collection’s Hawker Hunter F.2.

The aircraft, WN904, was constructed by Armstrong Whitworth in 1953/54 and performed its maiden flight on July 27, 1954 before being delivered to 257 (Burma) Squadron, RAF. However, its service with the squadron was cut short in January 1956, when it was reported as damaged and in need of manufacturer/contractor repair. Documentation suggests that the incident may have been an emergency landing at RAF Kenley that saw it go through two hedges and over a public road.

Gloster carried out the repairs on the machine, but by this time, 257 Squadron was upgrading to the F.5, which resulted in WN904 being struck off charge in November 1957. Continue reading Aviation Book, Model Donations Sought to Help Fund Refurbishment of Hawker Hunter F.2

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Unanimous Decision Secures New Home for C-53 “Beach City Baby”

Commissioners in Venango County, Pennsylvania have reportedly approved a “memorandum of understanding” with Vintage Wings, Inc. that will see their newly restored C-53 Skytrooper housed at the Franklin Venango Regional Airport.

The unanimous decision paves the way for the Skytrooper to be flown from its current location in Ohio to its new home – an event that is expected to take place this summer.

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 Unanimous Decision Secures New Home for C-53 “Beach City Baby”

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Limited Edition Buffalo Airways DC-3 LEGO Model Kit Now Available

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched offering an impressive LEGO kit representing the iconic Buffalo Airways DC-3.

The kit is reportedly being produced in a limited run of 200 by ICHIBAN Toys and is touted as featuring a 21.7 inch wingspan, over 600 brand-new genuine LEGO pieces, functional landing gear, professionally designed step-by-step instructions and a laser-cut sticker sheet.

The Kickstarter campaign has been wildly successful, although, as of this writing, kits still appear to be available for a pledge of CA$269 or more.

Click below to check out a video of the production prototype.

Continue reading Limited Edition Buffalo Airways DC-3 LEGO Model Kit Now Available

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Airfix Announces New Tool Hawker Hunter F.6 Model Kit For 2018

Airfix has announced the development of a new tool Hawker Hunter F.6 model kit in 1/48 scale.

Originally entering service with the RAF in 1954, the Hunter went on to operate with a large number of countries and in a number of conflicts. Its design arguably peaked with the Rolls-Royce Avon 203-powered F.6 variant, which is described as “the definitive interceptor version of the Hunter.”

The new kit (A09185) will reportedly include marking options for XF418 (4FTS Brawdy) and XF509 (4FTS) as well as the Dutch AF. Release is currently slated for October 2018.

Click below to check out additional CAD images and livery profiles.

Continue reading Airfix Announces New Tool Hawker Hunter F.6 Model Kit For 2018

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Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Avenger Expected to Return to the Air in 2018

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Ontario has applied civil registration C-GCWG to their TBM-3E Avenger in preparation for its upcoming post-restoration test flight, which is expected to take place this year.

The aircraft (S/N 53858) was constructed in 1945 by General Motors, Eastern Aircraft Division and served with the US Navy until the 1950s. Upon entering civilian service it was converted to a spray plane, operating first in California and then New Brunswick before being retired in 1992.

The Avenger was acquired by the museum in late 2009 and a team of volunteers has since invested thousands of hours to restore it to airworthy condition. Although currently without markings, a post-war RCN Avenger AS.3 livery will be applied sometime after the first flight.

An official first flight display will take place, however, dates for the first engine run up and flights are currently described as “moving targets.”

(via Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Additional Information via Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Photo: JustSomePics via Wikimedia Commons)

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First Look: Completed Example of Dora Wings’ New Tool 1/48 TP-63E Kingcobra

Shortly after announcing the upcoming release of their new tool TP-63E Kingcobra, Dora Wings / Arsenal Model Group has provided the first photos of the completed kit.

The livery represents NX41964, one of two examples of the two-place variant constructed by Bell for internal use. The original aircraft (S/N 43-11728) still exists and is now based at the USAF Museum in Dayton, where it is displayed as Pinball RP-63E 42-69654. Decals for the second example of the type, NX41963, are also provided in new kit.

The TP-63E (DW48003) is currently slated for release this month. Click below to check out additional photos.

Continue reading First Look: Completed Example of Dora Wings’ New Tool 1/48 TP-63E Kingcobra

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Aeroplane Heaven Developing Updated Avro Lancaster For FSX & P3D

Over a decade after releasing their first version of the Avro Lancaster, flight simulation developer Aeroplane Heaven has announced that they are once again turning their attention to the famous WW2 bomber. The upcoming version will reportedly incorporate 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.”

The aircraft’s 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 add-on will reportedly be compatible with FSX, FSX S/E and P3DV3+. A release date has not yet been announced, but a number of renderings have been made available which are included below.

Continue reading Aeroplane Heaven Developing Updated Avro Lancaster For FSX & P3D

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Rare Bristol Freighter Arrives at New Home Following 11,000 Mile Journey

Earlier today, one of the last remaining Bristol Type 170 Freighters was transported to Filton where it will become part of the new Aerospace Bristol museum.

Designed and built by Bristol in 1944, the type served as a both a freighter and as a passenger airliner. Although 214 were built, only 11 remain and, until now, none of them were in Europe.

The arrival of NZ5911 (a Mark 31M military variant of the type) caps off an 11,000-mile journey that began at Ardmore Airport in New Zealand back in October. Its journey took it to Singapore, Jordan and Athens before it arrived in the UK on December 28th (its first return since 1954).

The journey to Filton began at Portbury Dock aboard a Kings Heavy Haulage truck, traveling the M5 and A38 to the Brabazon Hangar where it will be stored and assessed by the Aerospace Bristol team. A timeframe for restoration and public display has not yet been established, as fundraising is still ongoing for its hangar.

Click below to check out a video of today’s journey, as well as photos of the fuselage following its arrival.

Continue reading Rare Bristol Freighter Arrives at New Home Following 11,000 Mile Journey

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Museum’s New Full-Scale Cockpit Simulator to Help Visitors Experience Flight in a Spitfire

The Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum in Kent has confirmed the installation of a functioning, full-scale Spitfire cockpit simulator that is slated to begin operation this year.

The simulator, which is situated directly beside the collection’s Spitfire Mk XVI(LF) TB752 (pictured above), will reportedly allow visitors to to try their hand at conducting a complete flight while also getting an idea of what it was like for pilots who flew the iconic warbird during WW2. Utilizing authentic controls and a large format display screen, the simulator is said to recreate engine torque effects as well as landing challenges presented by the Spitfire’s narrow undercarriage. The red-out and grey-out effects of excess G-forces are also said to be represented.

The £15,000 fundraising goal for the simulator was met with assistance from local charities, businesses and visitors and it is hoped that it will help continue the museum’s mission to engage, educate and inspire the local community while also securing funds that can be reinvested in the museum.

It is not yet known how much it will cost visitors to use the simulator, although bookings will reportedly begin on launch day, April 1, which coincides with the centenary of the RAF.

Click below to check out additional photos.

Continue reading Museum’s New Full-Scale Cockpit Simulator to Help Visitors Experience Flight in a Spitfire