Worldwide Numbers of Warbirds Flying by Type

[lmritger]

Here is a video by Nik Coleman on the recently-completed Bf 109G-6 (converted Buchon, despite what the video says) N109GF in Hungary: https://vimeo.com/868676874?fbclid=IwAR ... gdLX0CMbdw

Some screen captures from the video:

Well, the metalwork looks great - they did a fantastic job with the lower cowling and oil cooler bath, which can sometimes be tricky to reproduce.

I do wish they had contacted someone who knew what they were doing before applying the paint and markings though. But hey, it's just paint - certainly easier to correct than cowling shapes.

Lynn

[Archer]

Nik's video is no longer available and sadly it appears no-one saved it to the Internet Archive. Lots of very lively discussion online as to whether this airframe is:
- WkNr.161471
- a new-build 109 with said identity
- a Buchon with said identity
In the video Paul Borschung asserted the fuselage was a genuine 109G-6 for which they knew the history etc, however Buchon experts have pointed out the cockpit access steps are clearly those of the HA-1112M1L...

Regardless, I think it looks gorgeous and the Rare Bird team have done a fantastic job. Even if the JG emblem on the cowl appears to be slightly incorrect.

It certainly looks very nice. I found it interesting to see Mr. Borschung talking about the restoration in front of an unrestored ex-Connie Edwards Buchon. Isn't that giving the game away in a sense?

I am guessing that we will get to a point where we aren't going to 'settle' for a Bf.109 lookalike but owners will want the real deal. We have seen this with early P-51 models as well. There was a point where having a P-51D/B hybrid was quite a thing, but over time we have moved to true B models or at least better restorations with more correct details. I may be simplifying this a bit (not sure about all the P-51 details here) but still...

[JohnTerrell]

A couple of exciting additions and one change on the list:

Hawker Tempest II MW763 (G-TEMT), owned by Graham Peacock, had its first post-restoration test flight today at Sywell Airfield in England, piloted by Pete Kynsey. The aircraft had been undergoing on and off restoration since the 1990s, but most recently had been undergoing focused restoration by Air Leasing at Sywell for nearly ten years. Powered by an original/correct Bristol Centaurus 6 engine, it is both the only aircraft of its type and the only engine of its type now flying.

Another exciting, newly-restored WWII fighter has also been added to the flying list, but I will wait to put focus on it here until news of its first flight on Monday is publicly announced by those involved.

And P-40N Warhawk 42-105875, which was restored by Precision Airmotive in Australia and test flown earlier this year, is newly-registered to its new owner in the US, Eric Meltzer, as N405EM, so I have moved it into the US list of flying P-40s.

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Wed Oct 11, 2023 5:15 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Archer]

Photo of the Tempest here: https://twitter.com/RAeSTimR/status/171 ... 66/photo/1

[Hooligan2]

Fabulous news! Well done Richard Grace and team, and PK!

[Zac Yates]

What a sight for sore eyes. Congratulations to everyone involved, what an achievement! Long may she fly!

As Eric Meltzer's P-40N is formerly NZ3184 I'm curious - but not overly optimistic - to see what paint scheme she emerges in.

[LegendaryWings]

Congratulations to everyone involved with the restoration of the Tempest! I am looking forward to seeing her fly at an airshow next year.

[kalamazookid]

Awesome news on the Tempest! Hopefully a second to follow at KF Aerospace in the not too distant future.

[Archer]

Photos of the arrival at Duxford can be found here: https://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic ... 92#p954092
or here: https://www.facebook.com/FansofDuxford/ ... ra9g5rUrWl

[JohnTerrell]

Now that its been made public, the other new restoration added to the flying list this week is P-51D Mustang "Dallas Doll" (44-84952, registered as N210D), which has been restored to 100% stock WWII configuration by Midwest Aero Restorations, with accuracy down to the rivets. Test flown for the first time this past Monday, October 9th, piloted by David Martin, the aircraft will be based in the UK with its owner, David Nock.

I've also updated the A-26 list to reflect "Sugarland Express" now being based in Germany with its new owner.

[Archer]

Video of the first Tempest flight here:

[MKD1966]

Now that its been made public, the other new restoration added to the flying list this week is P-51D Mustang "Dallas Doll" (44-84952, registered as N210D), which has been restored to 100% stock WWII configuration by Midwest Aero Restorations, with accuracy down to the rivets. Test flown for the first time this past Monday, October 9th, piloted by David Martin, the aircraft will be based in the UK with its owner, David Nock.

I've also updated the A-26 list to reflect "Sugarland Express" now being based in Germany with its new owner.

Good morning John - I just wanted to say thank you for all the updates that you provide us with...
Mike

[Zac Yates]

Hear hear. Not just news and updates but often detail that is otherwise hard to come by. Thank you John.

[LegendaryWings]

I've also updated the A-26 list to reflect "Sugarland Express" now being based in Germany with its new owner.

Where exactly in Germany is A-26 Sugarland Express now based?

[LegendaryWings]

Here are some updates for the list:

P-51 Dream Maker appears to be the same aircraft as Cavallino (formerly This Is It!)

B-17 Yankee Lady has been flying again since July this year.

Yak-3 N17ZA moved to the USA from South Africa in late 2019 (it is owned by Bill Shepherd in Washington state). It was at Oshkosh this year and in 2021.