All, latest issue should be posted in a week or two. Main features as follows:
COMBAT CORSAIRF4U-1D Corsair, BuNo.82640, flew again for the first time since the mid 1940’s on 28th February 2022 in the capable hands of Steve Death, taking off from Mareeba Airport near Cairns. Following an approximate 60 minute flight which involved loops, rolls, stalls and systems checks Steve remarked that he “could not fault the aircraft.”
This Corsair has the rare distinction of a combat pedigree, having flown with the famous VF10 Grim Reapers and later with VBF 99, serving aboard the USS Intrepid and Shangri-La respectively. During the period from early 1945 to wars’ end the fighter bomber took part in the Battle of Okinawa and strikes on the Japanese Home Islands. Fortunately it was donated to a museum a few years after the war and many years later found itself restored to fly in Australia. This article looks at its history and follows its return to flight, the latter captured in some stunning imagery.
CLEAR SKY STORM - Aichi’s Special Attack BomberThe only aircraft specifically designed to call a submerged submarine a home base, the M6A1 Seiran was built to undertake a specific task – to take the war to the US mainland as an extension of the surprise attack which had bought both nations into direct conflict. The aircraft was one of the few designed to be capable of both torpedo attack and dive bombing, besides being the first and perhaps the last sub-launched manned attack aircraft. No Seiran ever saw combat but the aircraft and its submarine delivery system represented an ingenious blend of aviation and marine technology. Here we take an in-depth look at the type’s origins, development and deployment. Some major strategic strikes were planned but at the 11th hour these were thwarted due to Japan’s surrender. Fortunately one example survives and was restored to glory thanks to an international effort; this effort is described and complimented by some nice rollout photos.
SPANISH SPOTLIGHT Foundacion Infante de Orleans (FIO) is the historic Spanish aviation flying museum which has its centre of operations in Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport, Spain's oldest. This non profit organization was formed by a group of enthusiast pilots in 1989 and is devoted to the acquisition, restoration and promotion of Spanish aviation history, maintaining in airworthy condition an invaluable collection of historic aircraft that have flown Spanish skies in the past. FIO exhibits to the public its flyable collection once a month at an air display at its home base. The collection has a current inventory of over 40 aircraft, spanning more than seventy years of Spanish aviation; most of which are in flying condition. Author & photographer Luigino Caliaro visited and filed this report which features a look at some of the rare types flown and some exciting expansion plans.
Our Last Mystery Aircraft was a.....BREWSTER SB2 BUCCANEER / A-34 BERMUDAAs with all designs, there are the winners which go onto be household names, and there are losers which are disregarded and largely forgotten. Unfortunately the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation and its aircraft fall firmly into the latter category. With the US Navy having accepted the Brewster F2A Buffalo despite its mediocre performance and now looking for larger and more powerful aircraft to operate from its expanding carrier fleet, Brewster was confident it was well placed to offer what was required – it couldn’t! However despite a chaotic development and numerous problems which saw modification demands and eventual dismissal from some of its operators, a large number ended up being built. But none of them saw combat and at best were used in the training role. Here we chart the types’ trials and tribulations and take a look at the two survivors.
LOCKHEED LEGACYAs a follow up to our two previous articles on Lockheed’s remarkable record breaking monoplanes and the few survivors, we now take a look at the small number of new-build examples which have been created to keep some of the more noteworthy historical accomplishments of these aircraft alive. These have been static recreations for museum, promotion or cinematic use. There is still more work being done which will bring back one of the extinct variants, not just for show, but as a flying reproduction. This endeavour will hopefully further spotlight the types Golden Age achievements, something to look forward too for sure!
AIR SHOWS: Warbirds Downunder (Temora)
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