The Coolest Corsair

Another outstanding effort by the ‘usual suspects’ has seen an incredibly rare F4U-1 Corsair emerge from cold storage in Lake Michigan following generous sponsorship by warbird pilot and owner Chuck Greenhill. Ensign Carl Harold ‘Harry’ Johnson’s aircraft now rests at its new home where it will be restored and presented in a representative combat colour scheme before taking pride of place in the ever expanding world class facility that is the National Naval Aviation Museum.

Top

Killer Komet!

One of Nazi Germany’s more radical aircraft designs, the Messerschmitt Me 163 became the first operational rocket powered interceptor, however it often proved more dangerous to its pilots than the hordes of USAAF bombers pounding the Reich day in –day out. Despite this, the Komet can rightly be considered a significant technological accomplishment, particularly in the context of the difficult conditions under which it was developed and deployed. Starting with an historical overview this article focuses on the restoration of one of the surviving examples. We were also fortunate to record some of the fascinating (and frightening) recollections of a Komet pilot.

Top

'Fifi' Flies / B-29 Survivors

On Saturday 25th September, just after 10 am, the B-29 crew lead by CAF pilot Charles Tilghman, took ‘FIFI’ to the skies for its third, and final, test flight as required for the FAA and with that the world’s only flyable Superfortress was ready to star at ‘AIRSHOW 2010’! To celebrate this and make use of some stunning air to air taken by Scott Slocum we take a look at FIFI’s journey back to air worthy and follow on with an overview of B-29 survivors.

Top

Lost Avian to Return

Queensland based restorer Paul Wheeler has located and recovered the long forgotten remains of Avian VH-UVR.  He had heard that it had survived its early years and made it past World War II, only to be damaged beyond repair in an accident during an Air Pageant in 1959. Now returned to Brisbane the wreckage joins the remains of another Avian that is currently under rebuild.

Top

De Havilland D.H. 93 Don

Fitting nicely into our de Havilland Design Series, our mystery aircraft is the D.H.93 Don.  One of the more obscure types to come off the company’s design boards, it would be plagued by performance inadequacies and a fickle Air Ministry.  Those that did eventually roll off the production line had a short life as trainers before quickly fading into history.

Top

Air Show Round Up

NZ WARBIRDS - Ardmore Open Day

Top