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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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Warbirds worldwide - mostly found in western countries? Y/N?

Thu Jan 29, 2009 6:16 am

What countries in the world dont fly warbirds?

I can name a fair few that warbirds would like not flying in and would be quite odd to see.

Most Middle Eastern countries, Africa, Asia and South America dont have from what i recall any flying major warbirds fleet etc.
Even Japan and China as i know dont have warbird fleets.

It seems to be concentrated in Western World areas USA/Canada, Europe and Australia/NZ...

The main reason this is due to simple factors - cost of flying, cost of repair and storing them. In all the non flying countries these things would cripple a warbird.

Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:53 am

South Africa has some flying Warbirds. It has the only flying English Electric Lightnings (x4), Blackburn Buccaneers (x3), some Hawker Hunters and an Avro Shackleton (believe it is currently airworthy, but finding a crew to fly and maintaining it is getting harder).

Israel has an airworthy Spitfire. (not flown very often though)

Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:02 am

Here in Oman nothing going :(

Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:44 pm

Brasil has a small but growing number of airworthy warbirds. There are Japanese collectors that would like to fly thier examples but the government won't allow it currently. There is some activity with the Indian Air Force historic flight but I don't know about civilian warbirds but wouldn't be surprised to see it happen even though there is a massive, entrenched and out of touch beaureacracy to deal with.

You obviously need some superior economic activity to have warbird activity. Then you need government agencies that are willing to see it happen and unfortunately most government entities are only interested in saying no.

Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:55 pm

I think you'll find that countries without general aviation infrastructure are not warbird friendly either.

Thu Jan 29, 2009 2:45 pm

Do Mig-15, 17, 21s count? Might find a few of those still operating!
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