Warbirds - Global Aviation Resource - The Online Aviation Magazine

MAR142012

Aviation Events >> UK: Friends of The Fighter Collection (FoTFC) Evening With the start of the UK airshow season less than two months away, The Fighter Collection (TFC) invited both members and non-members of its supporters' club, 'The Friends', into Hangar 2 at Imperial War Museum Duxford for an after-hours event to showcase the Collection and to promote the annual Flying Legends Airshow organised by TFC. Thomas Pitts reports for GAR, with additional imagery from Huw Hopkins and Elliott Marsh.

DEC072011

GAM Previews: The Fighter Collection's (TFC) Curtiss P-40B Warhawk, 41-13297 With the first in a new series of features titled Warbird Histories, and timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Huw Hopkins details The Fighter Collection’s Curtiss P-40B Warhawk, 41-13297.

AUG052011

Airshows >> UK: Sally B & Friends Day, Duxford - Review A new event for 2011, the Sally B & Friends Day was created by Ellie Sallingboe and her team to celebrate and bolster support for the last Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress still flying in Europe, now in her 36th display season. Huw Hopkins was in attendance for GAR.

JUL202011

Airshows >> UK: The Buildup to Duxford Flying Legends 2011 While Global Aviation Resource has already produced a review of Duxford Flying Legends 2011, such was the excitement and anticipation during the days leading up to the show that we believe that it's a story worth sharing with you in its own right too. GAR Warbird-fanatic Huw Hopkins spent a full five days at the show, as he recalls here.

JUL182011

Military Aviation >> US Navy: A-3 Skywarrior Bu144825 (N878RS) Delivered to NAS Whidbey Island The US Navy operated the A-3 Skywarrior for 35 years between 1956 and 1991, but the type has actually been flown for a longer period of time in private sector hands. Hughes Aeronautical Operations, which would later become Raytheon Flight Test Operations, operated the 'Whale' from 1963 until very recently, an impressive 48 years. Paul Filmer reports from NAS Whidbey Island, WA, on the delivery of A-3 Bu144825 (N878RS) for preservation.

JUN242011

Warbirds >> Boeing B-17G N5017N Aluminum Overcast - Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) B-17G Flying Fortress N5017N 'Aluminum Overcast' is the flagship of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and is based at the famous Oshkosh airfield in Wisconsin when not flying all over the USA and Canada on touring schedules. Paul Filmer reports on its latest visit to Colorado.

JUN232011

Airshows >> UK: Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) Update The Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF) has endured a series of recent setbacks but now has a flyable Swordfish, a powerhouse of a Sea Fury T.20 routine and the prospect of great things to come in the 2012 season. Paul Fiddian provides the latest from RNAS Yeovilton, with additional photo contributions as credited.

MAY232011

Warbirds >> P-51D Mustang 'Big Beautiful Doll' Leaves the UK On Saturday 9 April 2011, P-51D Mustang 'Big Beautiful Doll' left the United Kingdom for Bremgarten, Germany, where it joins the expanding collection of vintage warbirds at the Air Fighter Academy. Elliott Marsh visited former owner Rob Davies' private airfield at Woodchurch to witness the departure of this British airshow legend.

APR192011

Airshows >> UK: Spitfire PL965 - Diary of a Warbird Restoration Spitfire PR.XI PL965 will be a familiar sight to many airshow goers, having been a regular participant at airshows throughout the UK and Europe for the best part of 20 years. Under the ownership of Peter Teichman and the Hangar 11 Collection, PL965 recently underwent a major overhaul to reinstall the aircraft's original Merlin 70 engine. Hangar 11's Steve Atkin reports for GAR.

MAR082011

Warbirds >> Supermarine Spitfire: 75 years young Huw Hopkins looks back at the development of one of Britain's most succesful and best loved fighter designs as the Spitfire celebrates its 75th birthday, while Jonathon

MAR012011

Warbirds >> Flying With The Collings Foundation Every year, the Collings Foundation takes a selection of its aircraft on tour throughout the US, giving thousands of people an opportunity to taste a little of what life was like for WWII aircrew. Paul Dunn joins up with them for the flight of a lifetime aboard B-24 Liberator 'Witchcraft'.

FEB082011

Warbirds >> Fairey Firefly WB518 / N518WB - Capt Eddie The beautiful southern Californian city of San Diego is probably one of the last places you would expect to find a rare example of a classic British fighter, but hiding away in a busy suburban airfield there is just such a gem. Paul Dunn catches up with Captain Eddie to take a look at his magnificent warbird, Fairey Firefly WB518 / N518WB.

DEC142010

Warbirds >> Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer N2871G Flies Again The Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer served with the US Navy between 1944 and the early 1960s and was used mostly in the maritime patrol mission. Paul Filmer travels to Wyoming to document the final test flights of the only airworthy PB4Y-2 after a long period of being firmly on the ground.

MAY252010

Warbirds >> 'McDougall' Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk N518TA First Flight 10:40 on the 18th of April 2010 marked a major milestone in a small corner of Arizona as TA-4J Skyhawk N518TA made its maiden flight after a thorough and lengthy build and restoration. GAR's own Paul Filmer was there.