Rarest restorations (underway or recently completed)?

[Stephan Wilkinson]

I'm trying to put together a list of the world's rarest, most unusual restorations, rebuilds and replications, whether they're for serious static exhibit or return to flight. Both recently completed jobs and ones that are legitimately underway (meaning they're not just a bunch of boxes in a hangar corner that the owner has for years been talking about "rebuilding someday.")

Obviously the XP-82 belongs on the list, as well as the P-59 that has been underway for years, and a couple of the NASM's German projects, but I'd love to find some unusual civil examples as well. Also European projects, aircraft with names some of us won't even recognize.

Just so you know what I'm up to, this may result in an Aviation History Magazine article, so anybody who doesn't want to participate as an unpaid contributor to such a cause, please hold your calls.

[Chris Brame]

Beech AT-10: two exist, one in the NMUSAF, and this one which is intended to be a flyer:
http://www.at10wichita.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/aircorpsavi ... 1714155408

And I imagine WIXer cvairwerks will want to chime in about his Fairchild AT-21 project (the sole surviving example).

[phil65]

FH&CAM ME-262.

Phil

[DH82EH]

MAAM P-61 Black Widow!
This has been one of the longest and most challenging restorations and the only one of its' kind that will ever fly again.

[kalamazookid]

A few contributions of aircraft I have seen.

The XP-55 Ascender at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, MI. This aircraft is on loan from the National Air & Space Museum and is the lone survivor.

XP-55 Ascender by https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884@N02/, on Flickr

XP-55 Ascender by https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884@N02/, on Flickr

An interesting civilian survivor is the Luscombe 4 (also called Luscombe 90) that was at Oshkosh this past year. The owner told me it is the only survivor and one of only four that were actually completed.

IMG_4015 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884@N02/, on Flickr

IMG_4020 by M, on Flickr

The Fairchild XNQ-1 is another one I found interesting. There were only two build; airframe #2 survives and is airworthy.

IMG_4745 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884@N02/, on Flickr

The Hamilton H-47 is another lone survivor. More information it can be found here: http://hamiltonmetalplane.com

IMG_0960 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884@N02/, on Flickr

The 1929 Zenith Z-6A, the only one in existence, is at Historical Aircraft Restoration Museum at Creve Coeur Airport near St. Louis. There are many other rare airframes at this museum, which an absolute gem. If you just want to walk around hangars stuffed full of old airplanes, it's an awesome place to visit.

IMG_7584 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/124970884@N02/, on Flickr

[JFS61]

Al Casby's F7U-3 restoration.

[Dennis7423]

While not particularly rare in its most basic form, the same folks who are restoring the Desert Rat B-17E (rare in that it'll be the only E flying) are also restoring a B-17C to flying.

Additionally, the O-47 Owl that should be flying here shortly sure is rare!

And while I'm thinking of more, what ever happened to that Cr.42 that was going to fly? And that Fokker XXI?

And let's not forget FHCAM's Ju.87R Stuka.

- Dennis S.
Thornton, CO USA

[GRNDP51]

The airworthy YL-15 deserves this thread's love!

[Dave Hadfield]

We have a Hawker Fury biplane in the works, which will get #1 attention after our Hurricane XII flies.

Original Kestrel engine, currently under overhaul in England at ENORMOUS expense.

[ErrolC]

Vickers Vincent at Dairy Flat, NZ
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/27939 ... t-progress

I think the only other one existing is the much less advanced one at the RNZAF Museum?

[VCS1]

Composite Restoration of NAA SNJ-2 BuNo 2549.

We are moving ahead with modifying a Harvard MkII using some newly acquired parts.

Never Give Up; www.SNJ-2.com

[FuryFB11]

Historic Aircraft Collection's DH9 (recently completed)
The Fighter Collection's CR.42 Falco (underway)
The Fighter Collection's Bristol Beaufighter (underway)
Aircraft Restoration Company's Fairey Firefly Mk.1 (underway)
Supermarine Walrus Mk.1 (Underway - Duxford)
ME109 E1 (underway - Meier Motors)
Hawker Typhoon (Underway - HTPG)
Seversky P35 (underway - Kermit Weeks)
FHCAM Junkers JU87 Stuka (underway)
FHCAM Messerschmitt ME262 (Underway)
Curtiss Hawk 75 (Underway- Avspecs)
Collings Foundation FW190A (underway)
Focke Wulf FW189 (Underway)

[Pat Carry]

The NASM's He 219 has finally been put back together.

[Matt Gunsch]

While not particularly rare in its most basic form, the same folks who are restoring the Desert Rat B-17E (rare in that it'll be the only E flying) are also restoring a B-17C to flying.

Additionally, the O-47 Owl that should be flying here shortly sure is rare!

And while I'm thinking of more, what ever happened to that Cr.42 that was going to fly? And that Fokker XXI?

And let's not forget FHCAM's Ju.87R Stuka.

- Dennis S.
Thornton, CO USA

The Owl is a O-52 and the Flying Heritage Collection has a E model 17 as well that is being restored behind the scenes,
There are 2 O-47 restorations underway
and the F-82E is coming along

[Archer]

And that Fokker XXI?

The project status is kept up to date here: https://www.facebook.com/FlyingFokkerD21/
It looked pretty good at the rollout a few months back.