Classic Fighters 2003
The event which first made the transformation from growing fly-in to major airshow during Easter 2001, Classic Fighters appeared on the downunder air-show scene as something of a revelation, very different from any other vintage/warbird event held in the Southern hemisphere. Described not so much as an airshow but an "Aviation themed entertainment spectacle", Classic Fighters boasted unique guest aircraft brought in from two other countries, featured the largest First World War involvement ever seen south of the Equator, and took the associated ground theatre for all battle theatre scenarios to a level not previously seen anywhere. In the words of one of the organisers, "We like to show people things they haven't ever seen before, so that's what we did"! That first event certainly received 'rave reviews' but with the question, "Was this an abberation or can they do it again?". Well…..they did it again! Top
	The Boomerang Came Back
	Matthew Denning's epic 28 year restoration of his rare CAC Boomerang from a bare steel fuselage frame to an immaculate, authentically restored, airworthy World War Two fighter must surely represent the great warbird restoration story of all time. Photographer Craig Justo was there helping the 15 year old Matthew on the day he recovered the wreck in 1975 and has followed the project closely ever since and now puts the complete story together with a little help from Matthew. For the ultimate 'before and after sequence' see this months issue... Top
Bf109 Survivors - Part 2
Part One of Dave McDonald's excellent series on surviving examples of the Messerschmitt Bf109 fighters, the author focused specifically on privately owned original examples of Messerschmitt-built aircraft. That detailed nearly two dozen individual aircraft from the oldest survivor, the 109B-0 (V.10a) to the youngest Bf109G-14. The majority of those aircraft were wrecks recovered in relatively recent times. Although a number of Hispano HA-1112 Buchons survive and fly as Messerschmitt 109s, these won't be listed until Part four, the final installation in this series. This month, Part Two of 'Hundert Neun survivors explores the surviving examples of Messerschmitt built survivors of the breed held by museums around the world and specifically, the Bf109E to Bf109F examples. Part Three in our next edition will look at the 'Gustavs' held by museums. Top
	Lavochkin La-9
	Continuing our series on forgotten wrecks, we couldn't resists featuring the oldest known P-47D Thunderbolt. This is a well known aircraft and one that was recovered three decades ago. In its pre-recovered state it nevertheless represented the very picture of every would-be aviation treasure hunter's dream. An intact World War Two combat veteran sitting quietly on its belly waiting to be rescued. The journey from its resting place back to full health has however been a long one which has yet to reach its conclusion. Top