Warbird Information Exchange

It's that time of year again, what restorations do you think we will see fly in 2026?

-Pays Aviation Spitfire T.IX
-P-40E at Colorado Springs
-Collings Foundation Fw-190F
-Collings Foundation Catalina
-MAFM GeeBee?
-Walt Bowe Bearcat
-P-51 Mustang ( ex Shangri La at Sywell)
-Spitfire T.IX MH367
-Yak-7 in New Zealand

As always, please add what you think!

PBY Catalina Liberty Aviation end of 2026

Tri-Motor Liberty Aviation end of 2026

Just out of curiosity - do the P-40E have an identity?

Buz

I've seen photos of a TF-51D at Airmotive Specialties that is looking close to complete. Not sure who owns it. Maybe a few of these:

- Paul Keppeler's F-86 Sabre
- RT Dickson's F-86 Sabre
- Allied Fighters' F6F Hellcat

Maybe this will finally be the year for the Canadian Warplane Heritage TBM Avenger, too.

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Matt

The Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar's DH Mosquito, being restored by Avspecs in New Zealand, is expected to fly in 2026.

If jets are okay to be included there's Folland Gnat XR987/ZK-RAJ in New Zealand which is hoped to be at Warbirds Over Wanaka at Easter but is still in the shop.

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Zac in NZ
#avgeek, modelbuilder, photographer, writer. Callsign: "HANDBAG".
https://linktr.ee/zacyates

"It's his plane, he spent the money to restore it, he can do with it what he wants. I will never understand what's hard to comprehend about this." - kalamazookid, 20/08/2013
"The more time you spend around warbirds the sooner you learn nothing, is simple." - JohnB, 24/02/22

The P-40E is RAAF A29-34 (USAAC 41-5520), registered as N5520R.




That would be Pat Harker's TF-51D 'Hel-eter' (ex-'Rudge Runner'), N151DM.

The P-40E is RAAF A29-34 (USAAC 41-5520), registered as N5520R.


Ahh thank you, Tojo's Jinx

Buz

In addition to those above:

Dakota Territory Air Museum's P-51B "Shillelagh"
TB-25 N9455Z
B-25c N3968C
Bf109 F-4 wknr 3847/G-CLFN
Seafire XV SR462 (late 2026)

What is happening with the Spitfire XII that the late Richard Grace had very close to flight when he died? Will it fly soon?

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The Wings Over New Zealand Forum http://rnzaf.proboards.com

The Wings Over New Zealand Show http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show.html

Wings Over Cambridge http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz

I've been wondering about that one. Is there a site that shows the progress?

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

Justin Zabel F-86F (N86JZ / ex-N86FR)
Justin Zabel TBM-3E (N88JZ / ex-N7001C)

I know the Avenger was supposed to be done. Maybe it is and hasn't flown. Not sure about the Sabre.