Classic Wings
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Volume 26 #1, Issue 119DOMINICAN DELIGHTS
MOSQUITO SURVIVORS - UK / EUROPE
With much happening in the world of the Wooden Wonder in recent years, and the keen interest in not only the work of the late Glyn Powell and the team at Avspecs in bringing several examples to flight, but also the fascinating journey which has seen the refurbishment of the late John Smith’s time capsule, we thought it would be a good opportunity to update the status of the surviving examples worldwide. Here, in what is the first of a three part article, we focus on those aircraft which are extant in its homeland and the few in Western Europe. Some interesting period photos compliment how these aircraft are presented currently. Our Last Mystery Aeroplane was a ...CURTISS P-6E HAWK
ALBATROS!
Airshows- Back to Berrick.The Albatros came in many flavours. Initially it was the range of two seat trainers and observation aircraft of the ‘B’ series that put the company on the map. Then there were the well known fighting scouts of the ‘D’ series which challenged the RFC in the latter part of the Great War. Then there was the ‘C’ series of two seat combat aircraft that served in what we might today refer to as the fighter-bomber role. Both Australia and NZ would seem unlikely places to find German WWI aircraft however in each case an example of Albatros was shipped south as a war-prize. It would be fair to think that would have been the last this region would have seen the type, but happily interest in WWI aviation has grown dramatically in recent years and Albatros biplanes have now become a more common sight Downunder, thanks to the efforts of some very dedicated people! Here we look at the efforts of the likes of the Vintage Aviator Ltd and the magnificent examples they have reproduced, whilst also detailing the two original survivors. Some spectacular air to air images are sprinkled throughout.
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After overcoming COVID related delays, July 2020 saw the inauguration of the new Aeronautical Museum Park at San Isidro Air Base, Dominican Republic. The project dates back at least 20 years, but it was only since 2018 that it began to take shape with the preparation of the air park and the moving and refurbishing of exhibits. The museum features a cross section of aircraft from different eras of the service and displays an AT-6, C-47, T-34B Mentor, DH Vampire Mk.5, Aero Commander, Cessna Dragonfly and O-2A Skymaster, along with a number of helicopters. However the most historically significant are the CW-19R and P-51D. Here we present an overview of the tumultuous history of the Dominican Air Force prior to focusing on the disastrous Pan Americano Flight led by the CW -19R ‘Colon’ and the use of the P-51s which remarkably remained in service until 1984. Fortunately one example was retained for display which happens to be one of Major Ed Giller’s historic ‘The Millie G’s. 
Development work which led to the US Army Air Corp’s ultimate Hawk biplane saw many twists and turns along with multiple modifications and designations. However the final product retained the basic Hawk configuration, complimented by numerous advanced features. In this article we look at the type’s development, technical aspects and its relatively short service life. The single survivor is described, along with the few surviving (military) Hawk biplanes. 
The Albatros came in many flavours. Initially it was the range of two seat trainers and observation aircraft of the ‘B’ series that put the company on the map. Then there were the well known fighting scouts of the ‘D’ series which challenged the RFC in the latter part of the Great War. Then there was the ‘C’ series of two seat combat aircraft that served in what we might today refer to as the fighter-bomber role. Both Australia and NZ would seem unlikely places to find German WWI aircraft however in each case an example of Albatros was shipped south as a war-prize. It would be fair to think that would have been the last this region would have seen the type, but happily interest in WWI aviation has grown dramatically in recent years and Albatros biplanes have now become a more common sight Downunder, thanks to the efforts of some very dedicated people! Here we look at the efforts of the likes of the Vintage Aviator Ltd and the magnificent examples they have reproduced, whilst also detailing the two original survivors. Some spectacular air to air images are sprinkled throughout. 