Warbird Information Exchange

Surprised no chatter. Noticed this on a De Havilland Mosquito facebook page from Classic Wings Magazine. Although I'm well aware many folks don't care for facebook, it still seems this news would be more known facebook posting or not. Anyway, maybe someone who has better knowledge of this news may chime in.

SEA HORNET BEING RESTORED TO FLY!

"We ran our survey over the last few days, concerning the aircraft that is presently extinct as a flying species, that readers would most like to see return to the skies. It seems that de Havilland's magnificent, elegant, and quicksilver-fast Hornet is what more people are yearning to see than any other type! Well that wish is going to come true with a restored example set to be completed to flying condition in New Zealand.
As you can see below, the latest edition of Classic Wings has just come out and reveals the fantastic initiation of the restoration of de Havilland Sea Hornet F.20, TT193. This is the last substantially intact Sea Hornet in existence and it has now moved into the care of the hugely experienced team at Pioneer Aero at Ardmore Airport, Auckland. The Pioneer team are already known world-wide for their many high quality warbird restorations for clients all over the planet, but this is certainly one of the most exciting projects they have taken on.
Our best wishes to Paul, Steve, Marty and the team on this outstanding initiative. For more info., grab your latest copy of CW!"

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[Thread title is ridiculous btw]

I thought about posting it here but, to be honest, I didn't think a Sea Hornet would be of interest to the US crowd!

Pioneer Aero's workshop is about 4.5hr drive from me so I think a visit is in order in the near future...

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Shucks Zac, I thought you knew us better than that! We'd love to see the Sea Hornet fly again. You'd see quite a few more jump on board if someone threatened to send one 'round the pylons at Reno. Dunno if the Sea Hornet would be on top of the Brit twins we'd most like to see resurrected, but it's certainly in the running now that Mosquitos are back. I don't believe we ever ran a poll, but one aircraft some of us had a huge interest in seeing again years ago was the Westland Whirlwind probably moreso since they were evaluated and served later in the USAAF as Pathfinders...tho not the prettiest version.

Yup, that one slipped past us Mark. I don't use Facebook anymore, but I do monitor it and can't be everywhere...I must admit I lazily depend on our friends in the Commonwealth to keep me in the loop on important happenings. Thanks for bringing the Sea Hornet project to our attention Sir! Ummm...errr...link please? Very cool to see that happening!

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

Uhhhh, no. Many of us in the states love the UK machines, and a Sea Hornet would be superb. I just hope they don't put that ugly radar thimble nose on it- really ruined what is arguably the best lines of any piston machine.

Ha! I posted just a minute before you SD89..and also held issue with the radar nose on the Whirlwind! We want ours before....when they were in transit to the modification depot!

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

The article says that it is to be restored in N.Z.
I've yet to see anything stating who the operator will be once complete.
Does anyone know where she will eventually live?

Super cool project BTW. I never thought this would come back from extinction as an airworthy aeroplane.

Andy

Sorry guys! Consider me schooled!

It's an F.20 which means no thimble, single cockpit....all gorgeous!

And yes, I was thinking about the Reno possibilities too! Especially as the rookie Kiwi is doing so well there this week.

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Next on the list, I'm hoping someone is working on a Westland Wyvern.

I'm just saying...

Good luck to them.
It seems to be quite a project...but then again if you're my age you can recall a time when There was barely a score (if that) of airworthy Spitfires and a hand full of Hurricanes, and no razorback Mustangs flying.

So things are possible despite the passage of years and increased costs.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

That makes two of us, Kyleb .

Great news about the Sea Hornet though.



Rob

Hi Zac,

About a third or so of our members are Imperials (UK, etc.) and former Imperials (Australia, Canada, Virginia, etc...)
So I suspect the Sea Hornet would be a welcome post

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I'll know better in future, Scott It's been popular news all over the place. I can't wait to get my copy of the magazine although I have a feeling it won't disclose the owner.

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

Sounds awesome! Wishing them the best in their endeavor!

Any links or photos?

Fantastic and surprising news about the Hornet, I had thought only bits remained.

The following comment surprised me, either an error or really interesting:
"but one aircraft some of us had a huge interest in seeing again years ago was the Westland Whirlwind probably moreso since they were evaluated and served later in the USAAF as Pathfinders...tho not the prettiest version."

Whirlwind? not Mosquito?

A Whirlwind would be great but now we need a Beaufighter.

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Chris Mellor

Latest Whirlwind offerings here...
http://whirlwindfighter.blogspot.com.au/

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If the CO ask,s you to be Tail End Charlie...Just Shoot Him..A Piece of Cake