Warbird Information Exchange

A Sopwith Camel, as well as a 1911 Colorado-built Vandersarl Bleriot have been donated to the NASM and as of September 12 have been on display at Udvar Hazy.

It is very sad that these are from the estate of the late Javier Arango, who in April was killed in the crash of a Nieuport reproduction, but these will not be leaving the country. Arango was a past board member of the NASM and very interested in telling the stories associated with WWI and pioneer aviation. His loss will be sorely missed for a long time, but his restorations of these two aircraft will be viewed by many.

I will do my best to figure out if I can load a photograph of the current display, which is where the Stearman was previously.

A fitting tribute to Mr. Arango.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

Indeed.

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Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

PIC, Ford 6600 pulling Rhino batwing up and down the runway

Hear hear. I'm sure this is the outcome Javier wanted. I hope the other gems that make up his collection find similarly appropriate homes.

Now I know when I see the Camel and Bleriot when I get to visit the NASM I'll be able to pay silent tribute to him. Wonderful news.

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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

A picture of the Arango Sopwith Camel, on display at the Udvar-Hazy facility, is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/63381646@N02/37966028526/in/photolist-ZQVPyJ-ZLC2WV-CEDHpm-YAMM9u-ZCK3Ed-ZBdLVh-ZBdQLy-ZBdPcS-ZBdMVd-ZhKQkQ-ZBdNE9-ZBdPHb-ZBdQdQ-ZFvPR4-ZBdSeJ-ZCKd7E-ZhKVb1-ZCKb4b-ZCKchy-ZFvNVX-ZFvN1a-CzoJ1w-ZBdRfu-s2av8K-ZCJYq1-ZhLnmN-ZFvM3t-ZFvL5B-ZFvHZz-ZFvK4P-ZFvHjr-ZBdBfq-ZBdAdW-Czozc9-ZFvG1z-ZFvGJt-CzoBQL-ZBdAA9-ZBdAVs-ZCJUY1-Czowk7-Czoybm-Czova1-CzowQW-CzoxJu-CzoxhC-CzoyBS-CzouKU-ZJnDM5-YugWbU (via Flickr.com). The Bleriot is to the right.

Thanks a million for posting. It's still a raw open wound losing Javier, and this is especially welcome to see.

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Cheers,
Kurt Maurer
League City, Texas

PIC, Ford 6600 pulling Rhino batwing up and down the runway

Larger size here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/63381646@ ... 26/sizes/l

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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)