Volume 24 #1, Issue 109

RELICS FROM THE NORTH

It is no surprise that the remote areas of the Far North are a potential goldmine of unrecovered warbirds. The high ground, lakes and fjords of Norway have revealed some rare gems over the decades, and a number of wrecks still remain- a search team heading out within the next few months with a specific target in mind. It is however the vast regions of Northern Russia which offer the most potential, given the huge number of lakes and bogs which swallowed hundreds of aircraft lost during the heavy combat which took place over the Murmansk, Kola, Karelia and Leningrad regions. In this article we take a look at some of the recent recoveries from both countries, with Finland and Latvia thrown in for good measure!

Our Last Mystery Aircraft was a...FAIREY III

The Fairey Series III had its origins in two experimental seaplanes and would eventually become a very important part of British aviation through the 1920 -1930s. It was produced in both land and seaplane configuration and was used in the bombing, photography, reconnaissance, gunnery spotting roles. The type also became synonymous with long distance flight, setting numerous records. One of these, a Fairey IIID, undertook the first air crossing of the South Atlantic in 1922 and one of the aircraft involved in that feat is the sole remaining survivor and as such features prominently in the article. The type served aboard every British aircraft carrier of the time, as well as ashore with many naval air stations, training establishments, and specialized naval schools. It would see service with several countries including both New Zealand and Australia, until being superseded by the Fairey Gordon and Seal.

SIEBEL Si 204 SERIES SURVIVORS

In our previous issue we took a look at the Siebel Si 204’s development, its history and its license manufacturing both during and after WWII – it serving with distinction throughout its operational life. In this article we focus on the few surviving complete, or relatively so, airframes. Despite the large number produced in France, only one example remains there, with the majority extant in Eastern Europe.

THE LAST BULLDOG!

Ed Storo got it into his head that he wanted to own and fly an early English combat biplane from the Bristol stable. Due to rarity, the aircraft he wanted could not be bought, so he set about building his own........TWICE! His first achievement was that of a Bristol F.2B, but even as that was changing hands following an appearance at Omaka’s first Classic Fighters airshow, he had already set about reproducing one of the finest 1930s fighters, the Bulldog. In this article, which follows on from the historic overview and the detailed look at the few survivors in our previous issue, Ed describes the challenges in building a modern equivalent, but staying true to the size and look of the feisty fighter. Ed is enjoying this journey but the challenges have been many and will continue to be until the day this 'Last Bulldog' takes to the skies.

COLLINGS P-38

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is one of the rarest warbirds in existence today. Rarer still are airworthy examples that operate with functional turbo superchargers which is what gives the Lightning its distinctive jet-like sound. In 2016 the Collings Foundation was offered the opportunity to add a turbo supercharged P-38 to their warbird collection and in doing so added yet another chapter to the saga of NOVEMBER 505 MIKE HOTEL. In this article P-38 historian Kevin Grantham looks at the aircraft’s past before Ashley Ezell describes the work required to get the aircraft air worthy following its many years of static display at the Evergreen Aviation Museum.

AIRSHOWS

Some spectacular action and superb photography from the Shuttleworth, Flying Legends and Oshkosh events.