Anson Project

Avro Anson 1 VH-BAF had its last flight during the 1990s, but work is now underway that will ensure that the aircraft will again take to the air in the not too distant future. Bill Reid bought the aircraft in 2002 and had it dismantled and shipped from Melbourne to Nelson, N.Z. That was the easy part, now the search began for serviceable engines, and all the 'bits' required to reverse the modifications that had been undertaken during the 1960s when the aircraft was converted for commercial use. The last 12 months has seen work concentrate on the center section, this being the foundation of the airframe, and needs to be finished before other work can proceed, the completion date being 'sometime in 2006.' Top

Vickers Vincent

The Vickers Vincent along with the almost identical Vildebeest were oddities of their time, and with no intact example of this giant biplane surviving, it is pleasing to report that an ex RNZAF example is making speedy progress to being just that! Under the expert care of the Subritzky family in Auckland, NZ311 has made significant enough progress to be wheeled outside on its own undercarriage, revealing its true size to a world which has forgotten. Top

Spitfires For Everyone

Most of us cannot afford to own and fly a full size WW2 fighter aircraft, not only because of their rarity, but the huge costs involved. This article looks at an option to get up close and personal with one of these fabulous aircraft. We take a close look at the efforts of those who have worked to produce full size, realistic, V-12 powered Spitfire recreations which offer everyone the chance to own and fly one of these machines for less than the price of a new Cessna. This option will open the door to more people excited about being involved with WW2 aviation and we are sure to see an increasing number of these colourful machines at flying events in the near future. Under the spotlight are the Clive Du Cros' replica, Marcel Jurca MJ-100, the SAC Spitfire, and the 'Plans Delivery Spitfires' Top

Seafire Flies Again

For the first time in several decades a Seafire took to the skies after a detailed restoration by Ezell Aviation at Breckenridge, Texas. Seafire FR.47 VP441 retired from active duty with the Royal Navy in 1955, having served on HMS Ocean with 804 Squadron. In our stunning pictorial we capture the excitement of the flight with a report by Steve Patterson who witnessed this special occasion, and was lucky enough to be a passenger in the chase aircraft.   Top