Volume 28 #1, Issue 129

MOSQUITO MAGNIFICENCE!

Renowned warbird test and display pilot Steve Hinton, accompanied by Avspec’s Warren Denholm, lifted Mosquito T.43, NZ2308, off the runway at Ardmore airfield, Auckland, in mid March, thus realizing the dream of the aircraft’s last custodian, the late great Glyn Powell. In this article we chart the history of the aircraft - its troubled start in Australia and its record breaking flight over the Tasman Sea to NZ, where it served with the RNZAF until declared surplus and sold. Ending up on a farm, the remains were eventually purchased by Glyn as his pet project. However ‘paying’ work which saw the build of Mosquitos for Yagen, Allen & Lewis, compounded by his failing health and subsequent passing meant he was not able to fly the aircraft back to Australia, as was his wish. Completed for new owners Lewis & Somers, the Mossie thrilled the crowds at Warbirds over Wanaka prior to heading to its new home in the US. Its long journey is told by those involved and features some lovely air to airs throughout.

LOCKHEED VEGA – GOLDEN AGE TRENDSETTER

On the 4th of July 1927 the first Lockheed Aircraft Company Vega 1 took off for its maiden flight with test pilot Edward Antoine (Eddie) Bellande at the controls from Rogers Airport, Los Angeles, California. Airborne for an hour, upon landing he exclaimed “Boy, she’s a dandy- a real joy to fly.” Although designed as a small airliner the type would go on to be the aircraft best known as the mount of the record-setters of the era - including Amelia Earhart, Wiley Post, Ruth Nichols and Jimmie Mattern. Here we take a look at the development and history of the type, obviously focusing heavily on its achievements of speed, distance and height which will forever mark the Vega as a trendsetter. We also detail the few survivors, fortunately several of which are stepped in historical significance.

MYSTERY AIRCRAFT – The IKARUS S-49

The Ikarus S-49 was the result of the need to find an alternative to the Yugoslavian Air Force’s post-war reliance on mostly Soviet wartime aircraft. This was forced due to a complicated post war Tito-Stalin feud which saw a blockade on parts required to service the air fleet. Consequently the YAF turned to domestic designs with some urgency. Using the basic structure of a pre-war fighter, the original design team modified the aircraft to incorporate the Yak-3’s Klimov engines held in stock and the prototype was flown three months later. Better relations with the West saw a new version built and flown a few years later, this an all metal fighter bomber powered by a French engine. The decision to embark on the creation of a piston fighter, at a time when the era of jet aircraft had already begun, may seem anachronistic, but at that point in time it was the only possibility open to Yugoslavia. Here we feature the aircraft’s development and service, rounding out with a look at the two survivors.

Airshows: Warbirds over Wanaka (NZ), Scone, Tyabb, AAAA 50th Anniversary (Australia)