Worldwide Numbers of Warbirds Flying by Type

[shuck]

Mustang question ... is N1751D Sierra Sue II still regarded as the most accurate and authentic P-51D flying.

In my view it is. It's an early-production P-51D-20-NA restored with all of the right details of an early-production P-51D-20-NA. More things were done to match original NAA factory processes, fit and finishes than I have seen on any other P-51D restoration. The FHCAM P-51D-20-NA 'Upupa Epops' is also of a similar caliber, being a late-production P-51D-20-NA restored with all of the right details of a late-production P-51D-20-NA. Both also lack the highly-inaccurate polished mirror finish, have original WWII-type rivets, have profiled wings per original factory process, are painted in the same markings they had when in USAAF service, and have the bare minimum modern avionics that don't remove any authentic details from the cockpit. They have everything in them as they would have had in 1945, including the fuselage fuel tank, original early-mid production battery location behind the pilot, WWII radios, gun camera, armament, etc. Both are also highly original airframes with a lot of their original parts remaining (even skins in areas). One of the several unique things about 'Sierra Sue II' is that it was restored with real zinc chromate, something that you don't see in other warbird restorations (most use modern paints/primers tinted to match original wartime shades of zinc chromate), and for the markings they also used lacquer and enamel-based paints, as were used in 1945, rather than modern alternatives. Of course, 'Upupa Epops' hasn't flown since 2019, and I don't know if 'Sierra Sue II' has been flown since it arrived in Arizona back in February after being sold.

Speaking of 'Sierra Sue II' and the warbirds that were owned by the late Paul Ehlen, three of the Ehlen warbirds have now been sold - 'Sierra Sue II' to Craig Potts in Arizona, the also very WWII-stock AT-6D (N85696) to Exuma Air LLC in Montana, and the George Bush Stearman (N50061) to a new owner in Savage, MN (who I just recently spotted flying in to both Fleming Field and Minneapolis Intl., which are two airports it was based at during WWII - then known as 'Naval Air Station Minneapolis', which comprised of both airfields). Just the TBM Avenger N93818 and the damaged/destroyed P-40E N4420K remain registered to the late Paul Ehlen. The P-51B 'Shillelagh' project at AirCorps Aviation, which was partly owned by Ehlen, was also recently sold to the Dakota Territory Air Museum (AirCorps are slated to have it completed in 2026).

John, Thank you very much for your P-51 knowledge and insight ... very interesting information.

I must dig out my old book ... Sierra Sue II by John Christgau.

Cheers

[kalamazookid]

P-51D 44-63350 N51TK, formerly known as "Lou IV," recently got a makeover and is now "Orphan Girl," of the 353rd FG. Video from Pacific Fighters:

https://www.facebook.com/10005754018567 ... 6681680710

[kalamazookid]

Looks like we have another Hurricane in the US! Not sure on the ID.

https://www.facebook.com/thewarbirdfact ... 44NMFm9VDl

[JohnTerrell]

Looks like we have another Hurricane in the US! Not sure on the ID.
https://www.facebook.com/thewarbirdfact ... 44NMFm9VDl

It's the airworthy CC&F Hurricane XII RCAF serial no. 5481, ex G-ORGI, owned by the Collings Foundation for display at their American Heritage Museum. As devised by Collings, its been refinished by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar in the UK and put in the markings of Eagle Squadron pilot Bill Dunn's aircraft, Z3267. Hurricane RCAF 5481 is of course well known for its periods of ownership with David Price in the US (Museum of Flying), the Ed Russell collection in Canada, and when operated for several years in Australia as VH-JFW.

Photo by Greg Davis:

[Thomas_Mac]

Looks like we have another Hurricane in the US! Not sure on the ID.
https://www.facebook.com/thewarbirdfact ... 44NMFm9VDl

It's the airworthy CC&F Hurricane XII RCAF serial no. 5481, ex G-ORGI, owned by the Collings Foundation for display at their American Heritage Museum. As devised by Collings, its been refinished by the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar in the UK and put in the markings of Eagle Squadron pilot Bill Dunn's aircraft, Z3267. Hurricane RCAF 5481 is of course well known for its periods of ownership with David Price in the US (Museum of Flying), the Ed Russell collection in Canada, and when operated for several years in Australia as VH-JFW.

Good to hear this one will remain a flyer for now based on an update from the American Heritage Museum.

The American Heritage Museum is proud to announce our newest addition to our flying collection… Hawker Hurricane Mk. XII RCAF 5481 in the markings of Z3267 as flown by P/O William Dunn. Dunn was the first American flying ace of World War II during his service with the Royal Air Force’s No. 71 Eagle Squadron in 1941.

See the Hurricane along with our Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX BR601 as it debuts at Green Mountain Aviation Field Days in Burlington, VT on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15. Both aircraft will return to Albany, NY for the winter at the Hangar at 743 and Warbird Factory.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_y7AFByk1b/

[Paul Stroud]

September 15th is Battle of Britain Day, how appropriate.
Remarkable to think that in 1968 the movie 'B of B' could only use 3 flying Hurricanes, the total airworthy population at the time. Now JT's figures show 15.

[JohnTerrell]

The amphibious DC-3 N130Q was flown today, and has been restored to the list of active flyers.

[phil65]

The amphibious DC-3 N130Q was flown today, and has been restored to the list of active flyers.

Really...

Sep 9, 2024 viewtopic.php?f=3&t=74359

Phil

[JohnTerrell]

I was sent some video and a photo of it taking off and flying overhead today, but I'm not at liberty to share them.

[phil65]

I was sent some video and a photo of it taking off and flying overhead today, but I'm not at liberty to share them.

Yes, somebody just sent me some photos. Amazing...

Phil

[C VEICH]

I was sent some video and a photo of it taking off and flying overhead today, but I'm not at liberty to share them.

Videos can be found on Facebook for those interested.

[JohnTerrell]

Since my last post, the following videos and photos have been posted publicly by the Moosehead Lakeshore Journal and Moose Creek RV Resort. The pilots for the test flights yesterday were Eric Zipkin and Garrett Fleishman (known for the Tunison Foundation).

Videos:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1759253344820067
https://www.facebook.com/moosecreekrvre ... 5829932589
https://www.facebook.com/moosecreekrvre ... 7372035382

And a couple of the photos by the Moosehead Lakeshore Journal:

[Hooligan2]

P-51D N51VF has been registered in the UK as G-FSID, owner 517 Ltd.

[Thomas_Mac]

Spitfire MkXIX PM631 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has flown for the first time since 2021.

[JohnTerrell]

A few pieces of news:

- The Avro Anson Mk.1 MH120, which was restored and operated by Bill Reid in New Zealand, is heading to the Czech Republic, having been sold to the group known as RAF Station Czechoslovakia. It is expected to arrive at their home base of Podhořany around February or March of 2025, in-time to take part in European air displays next year.

- Spitfire Mk.1 P9372 should have its first post-restoration test flight at Biggin Hill in the UK very soon. It had its first engine run early last week.

- The P-51D 45-11553, painted as 'Shangri-La' and previously registered in the US as N51VF, arrived at Sywell in the UK during the middle of last week. It has been placed on the British register as G-FSID - it will be interesting to see if it keeps the same paint scheme or receives a new one before it flies in the UK.

- Steuart Walton's Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat, N4752Y, was damaged this past Friday when the left landing gear collapsed while the aircraft was on the takeoff roll at Bentonville, Arkansas, which also resulted in a prop strike. The pilot was uninjured.