V-1 restoration at the Kalamzoo Air Zoo

[mustangdriver]

These pics come from Pat Carry who took a trip to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo. These are of the V-1 that the staff just finished.

[old iron]

Is that in the same location where the XP-55 Ascender was previously located? Is the Ascender still at the Zoo or is it being moved to Udvar-Hazy?

[mustangdriver]

No the XP-55 is parked at about the 10 oclock of the V-1

[Pat Carry]

Thanks for taking care of that Chris. Actually the photos came from the museum via Bill Painter. The staff there did an awesome job on the V-1. For those who dont know, this V-1 came to the museum from the NASM as just a hodge podge of parts. The warhead was not included so it had to be fabricated. It sure looks good!

[JDK]

Neat, thanks!

Cue the same old 'it should be flying'

'Airplanes are made to fly'

And 'would look good turning the peelons at Weeno' remarks...

...or not.

[kalamazookid]

They did good work on that considering all they had to work with was a pile of parts that loosely resembled a V-1. Now if only NASM will lend the Air Zoo the J7W1 Shinden to complement the XP-55...

[gregv]

Looks like they did a nice job on that "bitsa".

And I gotta say the HA-1112 looks hot in its original livery.

cheers

gv

[Pat Carry]

They did good work on that considering all they had to work with was a pile of parts that loosely resembled a V-1. Now if only NASM will lend the Air Zoo the J7W1 Shinden to complement the XP-55...

Yes, and a half dozen other planes as well. Unfortunetly it can be an expensive proposition. The Air Zoo has to pay the NASM to have an aircraft shipped to their museum, pay for the restoration and then pay to ship it back when the loan time period is up. They do excellant work there so who knows maybe they will get another bird from he NASM someday.

[airzoodocent]

We're right in the middle of 'open cockpit' weekends (Sat-Sun 9-5), too. This month it's the FM-2 Wildcat, F6F-5 Hellcat, and FG-1D Corsair. In March we'll have the B-25J Mitchell, P-47D Thunderbolt, and P-39Q Airacobra open. C'mon out if you're in the area.

[Zachary]

We're right in the middle of 'open cockpit' weekends (Sat-Sun 9-5), too. This month it's the FM-2 Wildcat, F6F-5 Hellcat, and FG-1D Corsair. In March we'll have the B-25J Mitchell, P-47D Thunderbolt, and P-39Q Airacobra open. C'mon out if you're in the area.

Does the AirZoo let folks sit in the cockpits, or do they just stand on platforms and look in? I'd consider making the trip over from Oshkosh to sit in the 47!

Zack

[bdk]

Is that a "real" V-1, or is it a JB-2?

[Warbird Kid]

Is that a "real" V-1, or is it a JB-2?

IIRC from the Warbirds International article, this was in fact an original V-1.

And Zack, If you wanna sit in a P-47, you should come to the next open cockpit day at the New England Air Museum!

[mustangdriver]

Is that a "real" V-1, or is it a JB-2?

The bulk of it is real V-1 is real made up of three different airframes. The warhead is a fake(like the Tallichet Belle).

[mustangdriver]

Is that a "real" V-1, or is it a JB-2?

IIRC from the Warbirds International article, this was in fact an original V-1.

And Zack, If you wanna sit in a P-47, you should come to the next open cockpit day at the New England Air Museum!

Chris I think the drive from Oshkosh to Kalamazoo is a bit shorter.

[Django]

That looks great.