Warbirds Online has again visited the restoration facility (Combat Aircraft Constructions) of Greg Batts in suburban Brisbane to update our readers on progress on his prodigious CAC Boomerang restoration projects. Since our last visit, Greg has advanced his own aircraft CAC Boomerang CA-12, RAAF serial A46-54 with the final fitting of 99% of the wiring […]
Australian Warbirds, RAAF historic aircraft, Warbird Restoration Projects, Warbirds
During a recent trip to the UK I was very grateful to be given an inspection of the Bristol Blenheim Mk.I L6739 (G-BPIV) being completed to flying status by the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) by John “Smudge” Smith. This project had its genesis in the 1970’s when Ormond Hayden Baillie acquired two Canadian built Bolingbroke […]
Historic Aircraft, Warbird Restoration Projects, Warbirds
Work this month has continued on Beaufort A9-141 with the wireless rack and other internal fit out occurring whilst the re-spared wing continues to be finished ready for refitting. This work has included installing the control surface gears which are ingenious little artifacts in their own right. Skinning of the leading edge of the wing will […]
Australian Warbirds, RAAF historic aircraft, Warbird Restoration Projects
One of the most dramatic Warbirds ever to fly in Australia was a MiG 21 UTI which was operational at Williamtown RAAF base for several years from 1994. The mighty MiG was a Czechoslovakia built machine and was delivered to the Polish Air Force in 1973. The aircraft was purchased by Australian Dick McIntosh in […]
Cold War
Warbirds Online has acquired a large inventory of photographs over the years and we enjoy sharing these with our readers whenever we can. Today’s subject is an interesting collection of photos taken at RAF Butterworth in Malaysia and RAF Tengah and Seletar in Singapore, taken prior to their respective independence from the UK. These bases were […]
Cold War, Historic Aircraft
The Fighter Collection at Duxford has over the years included several of the P40 family of aircraft in its collection and as long as I have been travelling to Duxford I have always been impressed with these “Hawks”. Currently, it must be said that the Curtiss fleet at The Fighter Collection numbers just about the rarest […]
Airshows, Historic Aircraft, Warbirds
One reason a lot of Warbird enthusiasts attend Duxford UK is that it is the best place in the world to see the Supermarine Spitfire, both in numbers and in terms of rarity of the versions present. This year 12 Supermarine Spitfires participated in the Flying program at Duxford – 11 from the Airfield and […]
Airshows, Historic Aircraft, Warbirds
Regular readers will remember that we reported last year on the ongoing retirement of the Westland Sea King Helicopter from UK service. There will still be opportunities to see some of these long serving and capable aircraft in coming years but as spare parts run down and replacement aircraft such as the Agusta Westland Merlin […]
Helicopters