Warbird Information Exchange

A beautiful/historic aircraft now returned to original condition. Amazing that it survived...

http://aerocinema.com/aeroblog/?p=137

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/unusu ... light.html

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.s ... entry=true

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

It's certainly not a pretty looking thing in the flesh, and really has no place in the RAF Museum's Milestones of Flight gallery anyway!

Couldn't disagree more. Its one of the few Miles aircraft still in existence and was a gorgeous design for its time. Lindbergh used it extensively around pre-war England, Germany, Russia, etc., and the aircraft spent a majority of its time on British RAF bases. I think its is very appropriate that it now resides at the RAF Museum's Milestones of Flight Gallery...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

It's not particularly significant to the history of the RAF, as, although impressed into RAF service, it was hardly used due to issues with the rare Menasco engine fitted. Lindbergh is no more than a peripheral figure at best in British aviation history. As I say, it has no place in the RAF Museum collection, the sooner they exchange it for something more relevant the better as far as I'm concerned.

Well, we all have our opinions. The RAF Museum was thrilled to get it so I don't see them "exchanging it". I posted the links because I thought people who had an interest in the airframe would find it satisfying that it had been restored and put on display. It was a sharp design and I'm glad it survives...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

It wouldn't surprise me to see them exchange it at some point, if something more (or even slightly!) relevant to the RAF comes along. The Mohawk was acquired and restored under the old regime, at one point it was intended that the previous director of the Museum would have use of it to fly!

You might be surprised at some of the exchanges that have happened (and are planned for the future) at the RAF Museum.

Mike's not a big fan of Mr. L anyway, but I have to agree that I don't see what relevance the Mohawk has to the RAF. Don't really see the relevance of the Mew Gull either......


Both magnificent machines in their day of course, with neat stories, but RAF connection?


They need a Snipe, or any number of other significant types, or even adversary types


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http://www.biplanerides1.com/

Connie should have brought it rather than pictures home with him.

Yeah, I picked up on that...

Beyond all that, beyond the "It doesn't belong in an RAF Museum" thing, does anyone but me think this is a nice restoration of a beautiful airplane? Yikes...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

I like it too! You are not the only one. If they and Mike don't want it, I am sure it will go to a museum or entity that does.

Just going out on a limb here but I'm guessing the Spirit of St. Louis was already spoken for. I don't know if this airplane was famously known and instantly recognizable around Europe at the time as Lindbergh's but it's not the worst airplane the Milestones of Flight gallery could have put on display.

-Tim

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Keep 'em Flying.

Anything that Charles Lindbergh owned or flew is significant and historical and the Mowhawk is no exception. Even if it had no connection to Lindbergh, its a beautiful aircraft and a rare example of the Miles design team...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Pretty airplane, I like it. Menasco, Miles, Lindbergh, it's got it all. Good display for a museum.
I think the guy that got to sit in the Comet doesn't like it, though.
Chris...

Any idea why this particular Miles had to have a Menasco? Seems to me like a Gypsy would have been a lot easier to get serviced in Europe in the 1930's.

-Tim

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Keep 'em Flying.

It was fitted with a Menasco because Lindbergh ordered it that way (the aircraft was a one-off). They seemed to spend most of the 350 hours or so that he flew it around Europe before the war swapping between the 2 available engines that they had in order to keep the thing running, and the RAF only flew it a handful of hours during WWII for the same reason.