P-40's in Canada?

[daveymac82c]

Okay, so I know there are 'asome' P-40's hidden around Canada in collections, be them private, or public, but it just struck me now that I don't think there is a single P-40 flying in Canada.

It's a shame that I still have not has the pleasure of seeing a P-40 in flight, but have seen what I can assume to be 2/3's of the Kittyhawk population in Canada. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's George Maude's, the National Museum's in Ottawa, and one at Stan Reynold's museum? I've seen the first two. Are there more?

And how come warbird operators like the CWH and the VWofC don't have one? I just find it interesting how the P-40 is an airplane that one could argue has more historical significance to Canada than the Spitfire or B-25, yet, they are under-represented in collections here. Any ideas of why?

Are they really that rare?

When I win the lottery I plan on reintroducing a P-40 into the Canadian population.

Cheers,

David

[M MAKI]

There is one at Reynold's?? How did I miss it? Please tell me more.

Mike

[daveymac82c]

Sorry, I was assuming that there was one at Stan Reynold's place. I may have mistaken it for the Hurricane he's got.

I'll look into that one. From what I know (and I've never been there), he's got a lot of airplanes.

Cheers,

David

P.S. Does that mean there's only two P-40's in all of Canada?

[Rhino-9-3]

VWofC is restoring one right now, it should be in the air by the summer. (They've already scheduled it for Thunder Over Michigan which is July 18-19.)

Here's the website, click on "our aircraft" on the bottom right side of the page then click on "Kiwi's, Canucks and Kittyhawk's". It has been up on their site for a while but there is some info on the restoration in it.

[M MAKI]

Definately has a Hurricane! I did not see a P40 on display but there are huge warehouses full of stuff. I do not live far maybe I should check it out again?

[daveymac82c]

Hey M MAKI,

I'm pretty certain that Stan Reynold's doesn't have a P-40, but ya know I'd love to find out what he does have. I just googled him, and it sounds like he's got 60 some odd airplanes.... wow!

And Rhino-9-3, thank you for the link. That's very good news that she'll be flying by this summer.

Hopefully there's plans to have a couple of your birds to come out west for a little visit.

Cheers,

David

[Nathan]

Vintage Wings of Canada has a P-40 almost ready to fly. They plan to have it at Geneseo and Thunder this year.

[peter]

What about the P40 out in BC that is ground runnable and owned by George Maudes Son I think?

[daveymac82c]

Hi Peter,

you must have missed it, but I did mention George Maude's P-40 that he's got at Victoria Airport. I've visited him once and we had a good talk. He's a really passionate man when it comes to aviation history.

Even though it used to be ground running, it hasn't been started up in a while. George has said he has no intentions on ever flying her; citing that it would be safer to replace a lot of the original components, but not wanting to alter how original his airplane is, he's chosen to never have it flown. As far as I know, his sons (whom will inheret it) have the same views.

Cheers,

David

[jet1]

...and restored it to flying condition. Sometimes if you hear a story about a plane in a barn, its worth investigating!

[daveymac82c]

I agree Jet1. Barn stories are definitely worth investigating. If it turns up nothing, at least you tried, right?

I know of lots of really nice (barn) cars that just end up being sold by the unknowning widow of the owner. My friend got a great deal on a late-60's muscle car a few years back in that kind of situation.

I think planes in barns are less likely than cars, considering their size and awkwardness to transport off-airport, and also because most surviving vintage/warbirds are well documented.

I just learned about a Hurricane in a barn (or at least I hadn't heard of this one before). It's planned to be returned to the air here in Canada which is really exciting.

Cheers,

David