Warbird Information Exchange

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/g ... s-way-home

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/w ... or-germany

I admit, it is European news, but we have interesting events too )

Cheers!
Gert Jan

"For two years N909WJ was owned by Bruce Graham of Irvine (CA) but he sold it in 2007 to Michael Gillian of Downers Grove (IL). Gillian decided to sell his Wildcat to Walter Bowe in 2019, who, obviously, did not like his new toy and said goodbye to it within only two years."

I know Walt, and he's not really a Warbird guy, except he does like keeping one around. He flew the Wildcat on a regular basis. He sold his Sea Fury and bought the Wildcat, sold the Wildcat and bought a very nice Grumman Goose (He has two, one flyable the other undergoing restoration) . He has also expanded his collection with a Ford Tri Motor, and a Kreutzer Tri-Motor. He is mostly a classics guy. He has several Monocoups, Howards, a Mullicoupe (one of 3) and other stuff from the '30s and '40s.

I was sad to hear the Wildcat was sold. I tried to see it in person a few times but every time I went looking, it was put away at his ranch.

Will

Thanks Will for your additions..

It is nice to read that some people can afford to have their own fleet of classics!
(not something a retired veterinarian (like me) can afford

I can imagine that there are alot of warbird fans here in Europe which are excited by the arrival of N909WJ!

Greetz from Holland
Gert Jan

Glad to see one of Earl Reinert's collection back in the air (IIRC it's the only plane from his collection flying). It's come a long way from Chicago Vocational High School!

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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)

The Greek Spit is fairly original too airframe wise..

_________________
If the CO ask,s you to be Tail End Charlie...Just Shoot Him..A Piece of Cake

Yeah, there have been a few Spitfire restorations like that recently, which are still quite largely their original selves - MJ755, TB252, and the almost still entirely original, MH415.

This one has already spent time in The Netherlands, after the death of previous owner Doug Arnold.