Warbirds in Civies - Post your finds

[Keith Gaff]

Hello Matt and others,

You seemed to like my previous offerings so here's a few more;


This is an interesting period shot of a Swedish SAAB J22 fighter in a civil colour scheme. I don't know why this aircraft was painted in this manner.

This is CAC Mustang VH-FCB was originally owned by Jack MacDonald in Australia. It was destroyed last year at Duxford as the result of a mid air collision with a Skyraider.

One of the most interesting civil Harvards was this example finished in the livery of Air New Zealand. It was an apprentice training aid with Air New Zealand and never flew in these markings.

Avro Anson VH-FIC was one of a number flown by Flinders Island Airways in Victoria Australia. They were often used to transport fresh crayfish from Flinders Island to the Melbourne fish market.

Something European. This is one of the Spitfire Mk9's used in Belgium during the late 1950's and early 60's as target tugs.

Regards,

Keith Gaff

[WallyB]

The PIPER PA-23 APACHE, N 914TY is a GERONIMO conversion...

And unless I'm mistaken (it happens) not a warbird, pseudo paint job notwithstanding. Oughta be a law.

The Navy did have a few Piper Aztecs though.

[Keith Gaff]

Her's one of the most attractive civil colour schemes ever seen on a warbird. This is the last Hurricane ever built. It was retained by Hawkers for many years and was painted in Hawkers house blue shade as were several other aircraft in the Hawker stable.

It now flies with the Battle of Britain Memorial flight and while the purists prefer its current camouflage finish I reckon it looked rather good in blue.

Regards,

Keith Gaff

[rcaf_100]

Something European. This is one of the Spitfire Mk9's used in Belgium during the late 1950's and early 60's as target tugs.

Neat photo! This Spitfire (NH188) is now in the Canada Air & Space Museum in Rockcliffe, Ontario (Ottawa area)
Now if only they would repaint it in a more accurate camo scheme....

[Keith Gaff]

Here's a few more warbirds in civvies;


This p 39 was raced at Rene in the 1970's by its owner Mira Slovak. It was named Mr Mennen after the Mennen Corporation which sponsored the aircraft. I believe this machine ended up with the Confederate Air Force. It was powered by a supercharged Allison engine from an F-82 Twin Mustang.

These spectacularly finished Hawker Dea Furies were operated in Germany under contract to the German Army as target tugs. When retired most ended up as privately owned warbirds.

Vividly (some would say garishly) painted Spitfire target tugs operating in Holland. I don't know anything regarding these aircraft. I would appreciate it if someone could fill in a few details.

Regards,

Keith Gaff

[The Inspector]

Mr. Mennen wound up with really itty bitty short wings. Last year Mira was given a ride in the newly built copy of his unlimited hydroplane U-77 Miss Wahoo (which is absolutely fine cabinetry with an ALLISON. look the project up on line), next time the boat got wet, Mira was behind the wheel and running like it was still 1959 the only difference is the hair was stark white instead of raven black.

[C VEICH]

Mr. Mennen wound up with really itty bitty short wings.

I think you may be getting Mr. Mennen confused with another bird, possibly Larry Haven's short lived P-63 racer "Crazyhorse". Mr. Mennen went to Preston Parrish and the Kalamazoo collection in the early '80s and, so far as I know, never got clipped. Am I wrong on this?

[C VEICH]

Vividly (some would say garishly) painted Spitfire target tugs operating in Holland. I don't know anything regarding these aircraft. I would appreciate it if someone could fill in a few details.

Keith, I have a book titled "Dutch Spitfires-A Technical Study" which gives some history on each of the Spits operated by the Dutch post-war including these target tugs. Let me know what information are you seeking and I will see if I can dig up the answers for you.

[WallyB]

I don't know anything regarding these aircraft. I would appreciate it if someone could fill in a few details.

Target tugs operated by Schreiner NV.

BS147 ; PH-NFN ; ex 3W-22 and H-99 RNAF ; T Mk9.
Belly landed 4th May 57, under repair when all Spitfires were grounded.

MJ828 ; PH-NFR ; ex Canadian 416 Sqn RAF ; ex 3W-2 and H-30 RNAF ; grounded 4th June 57. Mk XIX.

MK475 ; PH-NFO ; ex 56 Sqn, Canadian 402 Sqn and 64 Sqn RAF ; ex 3W-14 and H-28 RNAF; crashed 4th June 57, all Spitfires grounded after this crash. Mk XIX.

PT986 ; PH-NFP ; ex Czech 313 Sqn RAF ; ex 3W-16 and H-27 RNAF; grounded 4th June 57, Mk XIX.

[snj-5]

I see most of these (all except the F-86) every day at work!

Bela P. Havasreti

Boeing's T-38 chase plane N38FT:


Boeing's 2nd T-38 chase plane N538TC:


Boeing's T-33 chase plane N109X:


Boeing's 2nd T-33 chase plane N416X:


Can't find a picture of it right now, but there's also a gray T-33 "rolling engine test stand" airframe
at KBFI

The old F-86 chase plane N8686F:

[Keith Gaff]

Here's a few more civvy warbirds for your pleasure.


Here's an oldie but a baddie. Canadian Bob Diemert got hold of this ex Royal Australian Navy Firefly Mk5; re-engined it with a Merlin, removed the centre fuselage fuel tank so it could accommodate four persons in tendem. This thing was a death trap looking for somewhere to happen.

This is the only Messerschmitt Bf108 to appear on the Australia civil register as VH-UZI. It was based in New Guinea and it was destroyed in a Japanese air raid during World War 2.

The Wackett Trainer was an Australian designed and built World War 2 trainer. Post war many were sold into the civilian market. This machine suffered a forced landing in the South Australian desert country and was not discovered for several years despite extensive searches. The pilot perished. Eventually the aircraft was recovered and restored to its former glory. It is now on display and the Centralian Aviation Museum in Alice Springs.

This Mustang originally belonged to Titus Oates and was flown in Australia during the 1960's. It's again airworthy but flies in a military scheme today.

[Tulio]

A few more images; comments and information are of course welcome, and expected.

Attachments

[Tulio]

And, another three:

Attachments

[Tulio]

And, the last three, for now.

Saludos,


Tulio

Attachments

[The Inspector]

N 8686F is still on KBFI, it'll cost you about $15.00 to see it as it's back in it's original Canadian markings and is on display inside the MoF @ the South end of the field. Boeing flew it on a very special restricted registration for several years as one wing had a spar that was cracked. I've got a photo of it, Paul Entrikens Mig-15, and Ben Hall in his F-86A flying in trail @ KPAE during an airfair airshow many moons past.
When I was @ BADWRENCH @ KPAE we knew Spring weather had arrived in the 1990's when N 38FT would show up on the first bright sunny day and shoot 5 or 6 'crash and continues' the running joke on our ramp was "DANG IT! Look dear, the sun is shining now I have to go fly the supersonic airplane again"