Another stunning recovery from the wilds of the Russian
North is now safely stored in the U.K. Lt. Ivan Baranovsky
was an experienced combat pilot and disappeared on a
transfer flight in 1944. The fate of the P-39 and pilot
remained a mystery until discovered by fishermen at the
bottom of Murmansk Lake and recovered in August 2004. The
remains of Baranovsky were found in the cockpit, along with
the well preserved aircraft log book, which has given an
unprecedented insight into the history of the
machine.
Some
stunning air-to-air photos lay the foundation for an article
on Col Pay's magnificent P-40 restoration. Finished in the
colours of Bobby Gibbs' North African theatre aircraft, the
Australian ace was able to witness the first flight of 'his'
aircraft when it took to the air on December 11, 2004. The
complete history of this ex RNZAF aircraft and its
subsequent restoration is covered in detail.
Whilst
relying strongly on the generosity of US Government agencies
to make aircraft available for loan, the museum have also
been able to negotiate privately. In late 2003 Pima entered
into a long term restoration loan with David Tallichet's
'Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation'. By the autumn
of 2004 all of the aircraft covered by the agreement had
been transported to the museum restoration facility in
Tucson. Included in the deal are P-40, A-20, B-26, and
Storch.
With
over 80 vintage aircraft, the Air Zoo covers everything from
rare treasures to historical classics. This includes the
only remaining SR-71B Blackbird spy plane and, thanks to a
good relationship with the Smithsonian, the unique Curtiss
XP-55 Ascender. If gazing on such treasures isn't enough,
you can experience the sights and sounds of a WW2 combat
mission complete with the vibrations of powerful B-17
engines, and the roar of other bombers and fighters passing
by, in a 4D Theater. This is all part of a multi-sensory
experience designed to immerse guests into the wonders of
manned flight.
In
this, the final installment of the 'Buyers Guide to the Yak'
series, we take a look at the highly successful Yak-11
trainer - featuring both stock and modified display / air
race airframes. Yak 11 numbers increased in the West with
the sale of 41, mostly Czech built Yak-11 airframes to a
French consortium in the mid eighties. It wasn't long before
several modified aircraft found themselves on the circuit of
the world's greatest air race- Reno. The Yak appealed to
racing people because they were adaptable, rugged and
cheap.
In
1933 Percival Aircraft were leaders in their field and the
new Gulls constructed at Gravesend etched a place in
aviation history, with records set by famous aviators and
top placings in air races covering the globe. Because of its
outstanding performance the Gull became the choice of record
breaking aviation pioneers, which in turn promoted the
aircraft to the masses. In the first of a two part feature
we look at the brief history of the type and concentrate on
the restoration of another, concluding with a very
informative pilots report.
Another stunning recovery from the wilds of the Russian
North is now safely stored in the U.K. Lt. Ivan Baranovsky
was an experienced combat pilot and disappeared on a
transfer flight in 1944. The fate of the P-39 and pilot
remained a mystery until discovered by fishermen at the
bottom of Murmansk Lake and recovered in August 2004. The
remains of Baranovsky were found in the cockpit, along with
the well preserved aircraft log book, which has given an
unprecedented insight into the history of the
machine.
Some
stunning air-to-air photos lay the foundation for an article
on Col Pay's magnificent P-40 restoration. Finished in the
colours of Bobby Gibbs' North African theatre aircraft, the
Australian ace was able to witness the first flight of 'his'
aircraft when it took to the air on December 11, 2004. The
complete history of this ex RNZAF aircraft and its
subsequent restoration is covered in detail.
Whilst
relying strongly on the generosity of US Government agencies
to make aircraft available for loan, the museum have also
been able to negotiate privately. In late 2003 Pima entered
into a long term restoration loan with David Tallichet's
'Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation'. By the autumn
of 2004 all of the aircraft covered by the agreement had
been transported to the museum restoration facility in
Tucson. Included in the deal are P-40, A-20, B-26, and
Storch.
With
over 80 vintage aircraft, the Air Zoo covers everything from
rare treasures to historical classics. This includes the
only remaining SR-71B Blackbird spy plane and, thanks to a
good relationship with the Smithsonian, the unique Curtiss
XP-55 Ascender. If gazing on such treasures isn't enough,
you can experience the sights and sounds of a WW2 combat
mission complete with the vibrations of powerful B-17
engines, and the roar of other bombers and fighters passing
by, in a 4D Theater. This is all part of a multi-sensory
experience designed to immerse guests into the wonders of
manned flight.
In
this, the final installment of the 'Buyers Guide to the Yak'
series, we take a look at the highly successful Yak-11
trainer - featuring both stock and modified display / air
race airframes. Yak 11 numbers increased in the West with
the sale of 41, mostly Czech built Yak-11 airframes to a
French consortium in the mid eighties. It wasn't long before
several modified aircraft found themselves on the circuit of
the world's greatest air race- Reno. The Yak appealed to
racing people because they were adaptable, rugged and
cheap.
In
1933 Percival Aircraft were leaders in their field and the
new Gulls constructed at Gravesend etched a place in
aviation history, with records set by famous aviators and
top placings in air races covering the globe. Because of its
outstanding performance the Gull became the choice of record
breaking aviation pioneers, which in turn promoted the
aircraft to the masses. In the first of a two part feature
we look at the brief history of the type and concentrate on
the restoration of another, concluding with a very
informative pilots report.