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This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Restored some years ago by Pioneer Aero in New Zealand, it was based off of the wreck of an RAAF WWII combat-vet, P-40N-1-CU A29-414, which during the war had the name "Come in Suckers". https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-40/A29-414.html
JohnTerrell wrote:Restored some years ago by Pioneer Aero in New Zealand, it was based off of the wreck of an RAAF WWII combat-vet, P-40N-1-CU A29-414, which during the war had the name "Come in Suckers". https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-40/A29-414.html
Weird history/timing from Pacific Wrecks:
"Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York in the middle of 1943...Assigned U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF)..." "During July 1943, assigned to the Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF)" " On March 8, 1943 assigned to 78 Squadron with code HU-Z..." Assigned to the RAAF including a squadron and fuselage code months before being built even though it was assigned to the USAAF?
104827 (MSN 28589) to RAAF as A29-414 Jul 1943. Named "Come In Suckers!". Crashed on landing at Tadji airstrip Apr 25, 1944 and burst into flames. Pilot uninjured. Recovered from Tadji during 2001. Registered Feb 19, 2009 to Pioneer Aero Restorations Ltd of Ardmore as ZK-VWC. Made first flight after restoration in New Zealand Apr 23, 2009. Destined for Vintage Wings of Canada. Registered May 19, 2009 as C-FVWC.
Hopefully she stays in Canada - I asked Dave Hadfield and he confirmed it's the only airworthy example in the country - or returns "home" to Australia.
Yep. Sad to see it leave. That was my first fighter, I was in charge of its restoration over a three-year effort that of course did not always go smoothly , and it sure taught me a lot -- both about high-performance aircraft of that period, and much more significantly, keeping them flying now. Quite an education.
My brother, father, wife, daughter and son have all flown that airplane with me. Our family grieves!
But... I'll be test-flying the new Hurricane XII next month, and that will ease the pain. (Yeah... I'm-an-airplane-slut-it's-been-three-days-since-my-last-flight...) I did the first taxi-tests of it last week. It's superb, with a wonderful Canadian story attached to it.
Plus we're negotiating a trip this year to OSH in the Lysander.
And Mike P is actively looking for 3 airplanes at the moment. They're not fighters, but they're all fun or useful or both.
Dave Hadfield wrote:Yep. Sad to see it leave. That was my first fighter, I was in charge of its restoration over a three-year effort that of course did not always go smoothly , and it sure taught me a lot -- both about high-performance aircraft of that period, and much more significantly, keeping them flying now. Quite an education.
My brother, father, wife, daughter and son have all flown that airplane with me. Our family grieves!
But... I'll be test-flying the new Hurricane XII next month, and that will ease the pain. (Yeah... I'm-an-airplane-slut-it's-been-three-days-since-my-last-flight...) I did the first taxi-tests of it last week. It's superb, with a wonderful Canadian story attached to it.
Plus we're negotiating a trip this year to OSH in the Lysander.
And Mike P is actively looking for 3 airplanes at the moment. They're not fighters, but they're all fun or useful or both.
I'll survive...
Dave
I vote Caribou. Fun to fly. Can haul spares and people yo airshows, and a great canadian story!!