CLASSIC WINGS #83

[DaveM2]

Latest issue at the printers now, so I expect postage in about 10-14 days.

In previous years I have had 10 copies to give away around Christmas time - I am a bit late this time around, but if you haven't seen the magazine and would like to browse a sample, send me a PM ( first in first served!). Proviso is that you are not a previous recipient - I know who you are

Dave








Major features are as follows:


SIMPLY SUPER! – A RACER REBORNE

Following a short historical overview, Moose Peterson chats to Bob and Casey Odegaard about bringing F2G Race #74 back to the skies, and the effort to keep the aircraft true to its Cleveland Race pedigree. Whilst basic airframe work has been done by the Odegaard’s some years previously, much of the focus for the ‘second coming’ of this powerful aircraft was centred on the huge Pratt & Whitney R-4360. Moose has been fortunate enough to get alongside #74 on several occasions, culminating in the historic two ship formation with sister Race #57, and a selection of these feature alongside historical images which trace the life of this beautiful aircraft.

CHARIOT OF FIRE – ENOLA GAY (Pt.1)

One of the showpieces of the National Air and Space Museum’s vast collection of aerospace artifacts is the Boeing B-29-45-MO Superfortress, ‘Enola Gay.’ Most readers will be familiar with the history of the 6th August 1945 mission to Hiroshima, Japan, where the bomber secured a lasting place in history. Author Scott Willey has been intimately involved with the aircraft for decades and here he gives us a brief history of this famous aircraft and a look at how the massive restoration was accomplished –with some little known and fascinating facts being revealed along the way. Part One of this in-depth piece rounds out with the move of the aircraft to display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Centre.


FLYING THE IL-2 / FOR THE MOTHERLAND

In our previous issue the return to flight of the Flying Heritage Collection’s magnificent IL-2 was covered and the general impressions of test pilot Vladimir Barsuk were touched upon. Here Vladimir describes flying the ‘beast’ in more detail, from start up through to shut down. As Vladimir speaks no English and we speak no Russian, getting this into print was a ‘fun’ exercise to say the least!
As a follow on to the pilot’s report, we take a look at the wartime sacrifices made by the crew of the recovered wrecks which have provided the major parts for the rebuild of this magnificent machine. With the majority of these brave men now having a known grave and ‘their’ aircraft back in the skies, there isn’t a finer tribute to those who gave their all for the Motherland.

JAPANESE SABRE

Our last Mystery Aeroplane was the Ki-115a Special Attacker ‘Tsurugi’ (Sabre). This extremely basic late war kamikaze aircraft was built by semi skilled labour and used non strategic materials. The simplicity of the design approach was soon evident however and poor flight stability saw several fatal training accidents amongst the mostly inexperienced volunteer pilots. Fortunately, for both sides, the weapon was not used operationally. Two examples are thought to survive, and our focus is on the NASM example.


SOPWITH SNIPE SNAPSHOT

Taking to the skies for the first time on 18th October 2011 over the North Island of New Zealand was an impressive reproduction of Britain’s late war WW1 Scout, the Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe. Powered by an original 230 hp Bentley BR.2 rotary engine, this was the first time in several decades that such an event had occurred. Our article takes a look at the history of the Camel’s replacement and the few surviving machines, along with the efforts to produce accurate reproductions. The pinnacle of the latter is of course TVAL’s aircraft, which features in glorious air to air.

Plus:
T-28A Trojan in OZ
Temora Warbirds Air show

[CDF]

PM sent

[Pat Carry]

The Enola Gay article by Scott Willey sounds interesting.

[cooper9411]

Any article about a Warbird is interesting.

[DaveM2]

Folks- sorry, all mags went a few days a go-no more PMs thanks. Those who have scored a copy can expect it in 10-14 days.

Dave

[CDF]

Just a note to say thanks very much for the issue which arrived safe and well today. Thanks to the CW team for another great issue

Cam

[JonL]

Not in the shops in Perth, yet.....

[DaveM2]

Thanks. I have been informed that the retail shipment is at the Sydney facility, so should be distributed around Oz soon.

Subscribers will have theirs posted on Thursday 16th

Dave

[Zac Yates]

Subscribers will have theirs posted on Thursday 16th

I can't wait! For the last week or so I've watched the mailbox constantly.