Volume 20 #2, Issue 90

FAMILY SILVER – POLISHED PURSUIT!

The Editor describes the amazing journey of arguably the most original P-40 surviving....”My Uncle Melvin said, "You boys are in for a treat. I am going to take you to see a particularly special aircraft". It was July 1980 during my first visit to the US and Canada. Uncle Mel had built a lovely house on picturesque Salt Spring Island and that's where the aircraft we were going to see had spent nearly 30 years in storage on a private property there. Now this machine was parked in a hangar at Victoria Airport. When we arrived and were let into the hangar, I could not believe my eyes. There was a complete, intact, polished Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And now, after the passage of another three decades, I am in the privileged position of playing a small part in the next chapter in the history of this significant fighter...”
By Graham Orphan

PANIC ON STATIC DISPLAY

As part of our Hamilton coverage, Steve Betzler relates an amusing story upon his arrival at the event as a back seat passenger in a T-33. “Aerial combat is serious business. This real life story illustrates what can happen when amateurs try to play in the world of professionals. Panic is a fickle visitor. Like Aunt Edna and Uncle Herbert, you never know when it is going to show up for a visit or how long it might stay. My latest visit from Panic took an unexpected form and came at an unlikely time.....” - By Steve Betzler

The IMPERIAL FALCON

Overshadowed by the famed Zero, the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (Peregrine Falcon) was arguably the most important of the Japanese fighters, bridging the divide between the open cockpit, fixed undercarriage monoplane fighters of the late thirties and the new generation of combat aircraft. The Ki-43 remained in production throughout the Pacific War and was the mount of many of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) aces for a large part of their careers. In this article we detail the history of the ‘Oscar’ and take a look at the reproductions, wrecks and the more complete survivors. With regards to the latter we and try and nail down the history of the aircraft which has just returned to its homeland. - By Dave McDonald

The Last Mystery Aeroplane was a PILGRIM MODEL 100

The Pilgrim was essentially a direct descendant of the Fairchild 100, one of which had been introduced in October 1930, less than a year prior to the appearance of the 100A. It would revive flagging interest in the type, which was no reflection on the design itself, rather the economy of the times with the Great Depression biting deep. In an attempt to make it more attractive to the ever shrinking market, the basic 100 design was modified to enhance handling capacity as a transport- whether that be cargo, mail or passengers, with little drop off in performance even though powered by the same engine. Here we look at the type’s development and detail the few survivors, focusing on the recently returned to airworthy example. - By Dave McDonald

PAST TO PRESENT -The Secrets of Martlet AL246

Following the interest and success of the Fleet Air Arm Museum Corsair project the restoration team, led by Curator of Aircraft Dave Morris, decided to turn their attention to another of the museum’s gems. Grumman Martlet, AL246, is all but completed following some nine years of work and in this article Dave discusses the journey of discovery, without giving up all the secrets which will be revealed in a tell all book. Those of you who invested in the volume covering the similar process with Corsair KD 431 will know what a treat lays in store! - By Dave Morris

AIRSHOWS

- Hamilton
- Legends
- Swedish Fly-In