Classic Wings Edition · Volume 26
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A BOAT NAMED EMILY
THUNDERBOLT!
FRANCE'S FLYING MACHINE GUN - THE SPAD S.VII & S.XIII
Our Last Mystery Aircraft was a …Burnelli CBY-3
Airshows – North America round up |
This issue sees us take a look at two of the most rugged fighters to serve in a world war- the SPAD and the Thunderbolt. The former proved quite a shock to those used to flying the nimble fighters like the Nieuport, one pilot likening the SPAD S.XIII to flying a brick. However, as with many new types, once tactics were worked out to best take advantage of an aircraft’s strengths, their true potential was realised. The mighty ‘Jug’ has not enjoyed the renaissance the early warbird imports from South and Central America promised during the 1970s. These days few are flying and the potential for more is limited given the complexity of the airframe and the dearth of new projects now available. However all is not lost as we reveal here. Two unique survivors round out our major articles – one the magnificent and very impressive Emily Flying Boat which somehow survived several years of combat and the mass scrapping of military aircraft in Japan in the immediate post-war. The other is the odd ball innovation of US aeronautical engineer Vincent Burnelli. His lifting body designs fell foul to political interference, bad timing and plain bad luck. The story of the Loadmaster is a fascinating one and its life journey is detailed here.:: More about this issue » |
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MESSERSCHMITT MARVEL
BRISTOL BONANZA
MYANMAR’S MASSIVE MUSEUM
THUNDERBOLT & LIGHTNING
AIRSHOWS |
This issue features the unique story of how a Spanish built Merlin powered Messerschmitt was transformed into a machine that has the ‘look’ of its famous wartime predecessor, but is not powered by the rare and difficult to maintain Daimler Benz engine. The reliable Allison engine was selected, but the problem was that it would not run inverted- so how could this be overcome? This article reveals how some invention and clever engineering solved the problem. Editor Graham Orphan updates us on two subjects, firstly the long forgotten film star Bristol Fighter replicas and how they have gone from decades of storage to where several are either flying or are about to do so. A ‘flying’ visit to the HAR workshop in Australia has made possible an update on the exciting projects underway there– these including a number of iconic US fighters. Perhaps the most anticipated and definitely the most complex are the three P-38 Lightning’s. Andreas Zeitler reports on the sprawling but little visited Myanmar Defence Museum which features several famous fighters of British origin. Air shows have been a rather scarce animal in recent years, so it is pleasing to be able to include one from either side of the Equator!:: More about this issue » |
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MOSQUITO SURVIVORS (Final) Canada & United States
CLAUDIO’S KITTYHAWK
BRISTOL'S SCOUT
BEECH BEAUTIES
OUR LAST MYSTERY AIRCRAFT WAS A....THULIN G |
Some in-depth articles this issue with a look at the Bristol Scout and its evolution, particularly fascinating is the ad-hoc armament the type was fitted with during service, from duck gun firing chain shot through to darts! Of the same era is our mystery machine which had a troubled start to service but various trial and error modifications meant that performance was adequate enough for it to remain operational for as long as planned. We finish up our major series on the surviving Mosquitos with a look at the North American machines, several of which are airworthy. A couple of American aircraft are featured- the classic Beech Staggerwing comes under the spotlight, with several machines with a Trans-Tasman history approaching the end of their restorations. A very nice P-40 Kittyhawk has returned to the sky for the first time in 60 years following what was a long and winding road which has seen the fighter travel thousands of kilometres since it rolled off the factory floor. We follow the life and times of ‘Bianca’ as it prepares to depart for its final destination – for the foreseeable future at least!:: More about this issue » |
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MOSQUITO SURVIVORS Pt.2
Our last Mystery Aircraft was a...LFG Roland D.VI
THE LAST DORNIER?
CHILTON COMEBACK
Airshows: La Ferte, Melun & Oshkosh |
This issue we continue with our comprehensive Mosquito survivor series, part two featuring those extant in Australia, New Zealand and the sole example remaining in South Africa. The history and current status if each airframe is described, complimented by some very interesting photos, some from private collections and not seen before. Another aircraft which originated in the UK is making a comeback, the diminutive 1930s Chilton. Remarkably the four original aircraft still survive, and these are now outnumbered by the newly built examples which are populating the sport flying sector from UK to Canada and Downunder. Our mystery machine is the unusual Great War fighter, the Roland D.VI. This aircraft had an unusual construction method owing its origins to boat building and although a competent enough fighter it suffered from poor armament and climb rate. Here we look at the types’ development, and focus on the fortunate survivor. Our major wreck recovery feature is that of the Battle of Britain Dornier Do 17 which was raised from off the English coast for the RAF Museum. The true story of what proved to be a very challenging recovery is told by those who were involved.:: More about this issue » |
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DOMINICAN DELIGHTS
MOSQUITO SURVIVORS - UK / EUROPE
Our Last Mystery Aeroplane was a ...CURTISS P-6E HAWK
ALBATROS!
Airshows- Back to Berrick. |
A couple of extensive features in this issue, beginning with the elegant German Air Service Albatros, and in particular the D.Va fighters which have returned to the air in healthy numbers thanks mostly to the wizards at The Vintage Aviator in NZ. Here we track the whereabouts of those built by the Company and also look at a couple of others which are resident Downunder- not forgetting the two original examples which have survived, one of which has a rather mysterious past. Our second major feature concerns the relatively recent opening of a museum in the Caribbean country of the Dominican Republic. The country has had a tumultuous past and consequently imported a large range of combat aircraft, a cross section of which is on display. We concentrate on two of these, both very historic for different reasons. The Wooden Wonder begins its survivor series with this issue whilst our Mystery machine is another aesthetically pleasing aircraft - this from 1930s America. :: More about this issue » |
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