Speaking of Russian warbirds with Russian engines...

[Matt_in_NC]

Does anyone know what happened to the Yak 1 project that was at Hawker Restorations? The plane was slated to have an original Klimov engine installed, and from the pics, it looked nearly finished back in 2010. Just wondering if anyone knew of its whereabouts or if any further progress has been made. Pics are here: http://www.hawker-restorations-ltd.co.uk/_images/_completed/yak1/yak1wing.html

[Mike]

It moved to Retrotec (the restoration arm of owners Historic Aircraft Collection) a dew years back. Progress has been slow as Retrotec has been concentrating on various Hawker biplanes and the two DH9s that were recovered from India some years back.

[Matt_in_NC]

I just went on their website and looked at some of the restorations...B.E.A...UTIFUL!!! The Hawker biplanes from the 30s were some of the most beautiful aircraft ever built, in my humble opinion...with all the work involved in those older restorations, I can understand why the Yak has taken the bench...the website said that the original engine was remarkably preserved, but that all the magnesium components had dissolved, so they had to work a swap with the Musee de l'Air to get the necessary parts. I wish them the best of luck. Thanks for the reply! Here is their website if anyone cares to look... definitely worth a look...http://www.historicaircraftcollection.ltd.uk/index.html

[Mike]

Lots more info on the Hawker restorations here:

http://www.retrotec-ltd.co.uk/index.html