Robin & CAP in Receivership
Mistral has contacted us to confirm that the APEX Group, which includes Robin, Alpha and CAP aircraft types is in voluntary receivership, pending a restructuring of its finances. An administrator has been appointed and the decision taken to allow the company to continue on a reduced scale for a further period whilst its finances are put in order.

Mistral wants to reassure both operators and servicers of Robin aircraft that most operations will continue as normal. Sister company to APEX aircraft, APEX Parts division is not subject to receivership and continues to operate and spare parts for all current Robin, Alpha and CAP types will continue to be freely available. Warranty claims will continue to be dealt with as before.

Sister company Apex Maintenance is not subject to receivership and will continue to operate as usual, there will be coverage in the airworthiness department and technical enquiries will continue to be answered.

Whilst there have been some redundancies from the work force production of the CAP 10C is continuing with a good order book. Other Robin and Alpha types are freely available from Mistral on normal delivery times.

Massive Lycoming Recall
Lycoming has recalled approximately 900 engines to replace potentially faulty crankshafts and the FAA has issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive concerning the problem.

The FAA claims "a variation in the heat treatment process used during production of the crankshafts appears to be the cause for the metallurgical deficiency that may have led to crankshaft failure."

The engine affected are TIO and LTIO-540 units (rated at 300hp or higher) that were constructed between 1999 and 2002. For more details see the November 2002 issue of Today's Pilot on sale on October 1.

CFM Aircraft Closes Down
CFM Aircraft, manufacturer of the famous Shadow range of Microlight and Group A aircraft ceased trading on July 1.

Although the cessation of production is sad news for the British aircraft industry, the main problem at the moment is the lack of spares availability for current owners – suffice it to say, now is not the time to prang your Shadow! For more details see the November 2002 issue of Today's Pilot on sale on October 1.

First Flight – Eclipse 500
Possibly the most hyped aircraft to be developed in recent years, the Eclipse 500 successfully completed its eagerly-anticipated first flight on August 26. The hour-long flight, in the hands of Eclipse's Chief Test Pilot Bill Bubb, marks the latest milestone in the successful development of the six-place jet. For more details see the November 2002 issue of Today's Pilot on sale on October 1.

An invite to a 'NEW' Airfield
British-based microlight training school GS Aviation has just finalised the opening of its new French airfield at Saint Secondin, 17 NM SSE of Poitiers airfield in France.
Located at N46' 20 45' E000' 31 30' the airfield has two grass runways - North/South 900m and East/West 700m.
All types of light aircraft and microlights are welcome and hangarage available for overnight stops.
There will be an opening BBQ and fly-in on September 1-3. As the airfield is just one hours flying time south of Blois, GS Aviation are inviting visitors to the Blois ULM Rally on August 31-September 1 to call in at St Secondin for the opening celebrations on their way home and enjoy an extended stay in France.
Camping is available on airfield and chalets in St Secondin (2km away) are also available, also Mountain Bike hire and airfield transport can be arranged if required.
Also available for three days in St Secondin, the new 2-Seater Flexwing from Pegasus the 'QUIK'.
Call Anne on: +44 (0)1491 875511 or email GSA@cameo-uk.com for further information and to let them know of your interest/intention of visiting (they don't want to run out of food!).

First Flight – New Production Mooney
On June 24 the Mooney Aeroplane Company performed the first flight of a new production Mooney aircraft at the company’s facility in Kerrville, Texas. The aircraft, a Mooney Ovation2, was airborne for one hour and 15 minutes and is the first new aircraft to fly since the company hit financial difficulties was bought by AASI in April.
Mike Miles, the company’s Experimental and Production Test Pilot, commented: "I’ve been a test pilot at Mooney for over 15 years. The aeroplane the guys put on the line today was one of the best I’ve ever flown. It flew well and had almost no squawks". (More details in Today’s Pilot September issue)

Sport Aviation Paper from the RAeC
At a meeting of its Council on July 2, the Royal Aero Club (RAeC) commissioned the preparation of a 'Position Paper' on behalf of its member associations in respect of the future regulatory framework for UK sporting and recreational aviation.

Recent developments in Europe, including the creation of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), have highlighted the need for sporting and recreational aviation interests in the UK to present their views on recreational aviation in a comprehensive form.

The Royal Aero Club is a member of Europe Air Sports (EA), the body which represents the interests of national aero clubs across Europe. EA is the representative body recognised by EASA, and will receive the results of the Position Paper project to aid its deliberations on the creation of the most appropriate Europe-wide safety regulatory framework for the future.

The project is to be led by David Roberts, who has been Chairman of the British Gliding Association since February 2000, and will involve close consultation with the full member associations of the Royal Aero Club and other organisations. It aims at arriving at a united view on how best the future regulatory framework can be constructed in the interests of safety while, where appropriate and justifiable, retaining or enhancing self regulation, delegated or devolved regulation and the freedoms from regulation already in place within the UK.

A 150mph Cherokee 140
Most Cherokee 140 owners will find this claim hard to believe – but with a Power Flow tuned exhaust and a set of Laminar Flow speed modifications, a Cherokee 140 will cruise at 150mph. This represents a 21mph gain in speed over a stock aircraft. The rate of climb also improves by 30%. "To achieve and maintain the cruise speed of 150 mph at 7,500ft, it may be necessary to repitch the propeller," said Power Flow General Manager Darren Tilman. "You can still hit 150 without repitching, but it takes some hunting."

However, Tilman is quick to point out that as not all Cherokee 140s were created equal, some will benefit greatly though others not to the same degree. Power Flow has indicated that with all the products in place, the increase in speed can vary from 15 to 30mph.

Calling All Helicopter Pilots!
At last – a fly-in event and airshow especially for helicopters, their pilots and fans. The Kemble Helifest Air Day takes place on September 1 at the delightful Cotswold airfield, and organiser Glen Moreman is keen to attract as many visiting helicopters as possible, regardless of age or type. "This is very much a learning curve for the airfield," says Glen. "If we get sufficient response, there is a distinct possibility that we will be able to make this a regular event." For more details, contact Glen on 01285 771577 or e-mail glen@kadevents.fsnet.co.uk

Pups and Dogs
In response to a surge in the number of ex-military Bulldogs coming into private ownership, the Beagle Pup Club has decided to change its name to 'The Beagle Pup and Bulldog Club'. Although the club has had a few Bulldog members over the last few years, the large number of former RAF aircraft now coming into civilian hands has helped membership grow to more than 120 over the last year. Steve Ollier, owner of ex Ghanaian Bulldog G-BCUS, has taken on the role of Bulldog Representative within the club.

End of the Line for the JetCruzer
Since AASI acquired the Mooney Aircraft Corporation earlier this year there has been very little news concerning the prototype AASI JetCruzer. However, it now appears that the programme is effectively at an end - at least until new technologies become available to solve problems in the aircraft's design. For more details see the September issue of Today's Pilot - on sale August 6

First Flight - New Production Mooney
On June 24 the Mooney Aeroplane Company performed the first flight of a new production Mooney aircraft at the company's facility in Kerrville, Texas. The aircraft, a Mooney Ovation2, was airborne for one hour and 15 minutes and is the first new aircraft to fly since the company hit financial difficulties was bought by AASI in April.

First Flight - Adam A500
On July 11 the Adam Aircraft Industries A500 made its much-awaited first flight. Lifting off from its home field at Centennial Field near Denver, Colorado the pressurised, centreline-thrust twin performed well in he hands of Chief Test Pilot Glenn Maben and Flight Test Engineer Bruce Barrett.

The six-place aircraft, closely resembling the M309 proof of concept aircraft, climbed to an altitude of 12,500ft on the inaugural flight which included a series of aircraft handling and engine performance tests.
With five successful flights conducted the A500 suffered a nose gear collapse during a landing on Saturday July 13. The gear had not yet been cycled as it was locked down for the early test flights. Damage was minor with a scraped cowling and a bent front propeller and the aircraft flew again soon afterwards

Eclipse Loses 1,000 Aircraft Deal.
As predicted in last month's Today's Pilot the $1.2 billion order from the Nimbus Group for 1,000 Eclipse 500 jets has faltered and the deal was terminated on July 8.

Money has long been an issue with this deal and when the company failed to meet the deadline to pay a required deposit Eclipse terminated the contract.

Meanwhile, on a happier note the Eclipse Aviation Corporation officially rolled out the Eclipse 500 jet on July 13, allowing an audience of more than 1,500 customers, partners, investors and employees to witness the first public viewing of the new aircraft.

Calling all Helicopter Pilots!
At last - a fly-in event and airshow especially for helicopters, their pilots and fans. The Kemble Helifest Air Day takes place on September 1 at the delightful Cotswold airfield and organiser, Glen Moreman, is keen to attract as many visiting helicopters as possible - regardless of age or type. "This is very much a learning curve for the airfield," says Glen "if we get sufficient response there is a distinct possibility that we will be able to make this a regular event." For more details contact Glen on 01285 771577 or e-mail glen@kadevents.fsnet.co.uk

Relief for Tired Beavers
On July 12 Bombardier Aerospace opened a Commercial Service Centre (CSC) at Mirabel, Canada - a facility dedicated to the specific service and support of all out of production de Havilland Canada types from the DHC-1 Chipmunk and DHC-2 Beaver through to the DHC-6 Twin Otter and the Dash 7. Its objective is to deliver world class level support, in a one-stop shop setting.

Military

Saab delivers first JAS 39C
SAAB HANDED over the first JAS 39C Gripen to Sweden's Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) at a ceremony in Linköping on September 6. This latest JAS 39C version adds a host of new capabilities to the Gripen, and is almost identical to the aircraft intended for export. In his handover address, the Chairman of the JAS Industry Group, Ake Svensson told the audience that "The introduction of the JAS 39C shows that Sweden is on the absolute cutting edge of technology. In addition, we have undertaken a cost-effective development effort that has benefited both the Swedish and export Gripen programmes. This is a milestone in the history of the Gripen."

In addition to in-flight refueling and onboard oxygen generators, the latest version of the Gripen has large screen, full colour displays in the cockpit, a strengthened wing structure, the ability to carry new types of pylons and new computer software. This combination of advanced technology and increased capabilities, brings a step change in the operational effectiveness of the aircraft over a wide range of missions. In accepting the first JAS 39C on behalf of the Swedish Air Force, Birgitta Bohlin, Director General of FMV stated "It was natural for the industry, the Swedish Defense Material Administration and the Armed Forces to seek the greatest possible commonality between the developed JAS 39C for Sweden, and the export version. This means that we have obtained a further improved version of the Gripen earlier than was originally planned".

Stealth Plasma on Su-32
Russia is believed to be continuing its pioneering work on the development of a plasma cloud generator to provide active stealth protection for combat aircraft. Details are sparse but the Keldysh Research Institute, under then leadership of Anatoly Korotoyev, is known to have developed a plasma generator weighing around 220lb (100kg), suitable for installation on a tactical fighter aircraft. This has been tested on models and on real aircraft, with the Su-32/34 strike fighter believed to be the first combat aircraft to incorporate the system in its airframe. In essence, the system requires an energy source on the aircraft to energise the surrounding air, most probably at the leading edges of the aerodynamic surfaces, causing ionised air in the boundary layer to flow around the airframe, shrouding it in an impenetrable radar screening cloud. Unfortunately, the power requirement for the generator is high and the system would probably only be activated when an enemy radar is detected. The presence of the 'cloud' around the aircraft would also block transmissions from the aircraft being protected, but it is possible that appropriate gaps in the 'cloud' could also be created to overcome this. The high power generation requirement and additional weight of the system is probably easier handled by the Su-32 than by smaller fighters, such as the MiG-29.

Fourth Gripen Wing
Fourth Gripen Wing Forms at Ronneby the Swedish Air Force inaugurated its fourth Gripen Wing, F17, at Ronneby, on June 14. In marking this event, the Swedish Air Force now has on strength 121 of the 204 total Gripens ordered and F17 joins F7 Stens, F10 Ängelholm and F21 Luleå in operating this advanced fourth generation fighter. During the autumn, two squadrons of Gripens presently assigned to F10 at Ängelholm, will be transferred to F17 at Ronneby. At full strength, the Swedish Air Force will have eight Gripen multi-role squadrons, whilst today five squadrons are active on the type. To date, a total of 34,000 sorties has been flown by the Gripen and by 2007, the aircraft will have replaced all of the Swedish Air Force's ageing Viggens. From 2004, F17 will be responsible for SWAFRAP (the Swedish Air Force Rapid Reaction Unit), marking a new era in the unit's history.

On August 21 F-22A Raptor 4003 fired a radar guided AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile while flying at Mach 1.2 and 12,000 ft above the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft was on a sortie from Edwards AFB, California, home to the Raptor test fleet. At the end of August the F-22 fleet had undertaken more than 1,021 test missions in 2,273 flight hours.

THE DRAWDOWN in the B-1B Lancer fleet has started with the arrival of two aircraft (84-0056 and 85-0062) at the Aerospace Maintenance And Regeneration Center (AMARC), Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. A total of 20 aircraft are to be retired from the US Air National Guard. Originally 33 aircraft where to be grounded, but the 13 aircraft reprieved will be shared amongst the units at Dyess and Ellsworth AFBs. Of the 20, 12 will go to AMARC while a staggering eight will be employed on gate guardian duties at US Air Force establishments.

Airborne Laser's First Flight
The first YAL-1A Airborne Laser (Block 2004 aircraft 00-0001) made its first flight at Wichita, Kansas, on July 18. It has yet to be fitted with the ballistic missile defence laser as the first few flights are to checkthe aerodynamic qualities of the nose turret and the forward fuselage top-mounted laser targeting pod.

CH-124s Get Defensive Aids at Last
DEFENSIVE AIDS for the Canadian Armed Forces fleet of CH-124 Sea Kings are being added to 12 of the 29 helicopters still in service with the force. The recently-begun modification programme should be completed this year. Warning sensors,radar receivers and chaff dispensers are being added to the helicopters after a requirement for such a system was identified eleven years ago following Canadian participation in the 1991 Gulf War. The Canadian Sea Kings which deployed to the Arabian Gulf as part of the response to September 11 had only been fitted with a simple infra-red system. Prototype testing was started in 1999, though by the beginning of July only one CH-124 had been fitted with the full system.

USS Inchon Decommissioned
MARKED BY ceremonies at its home port of Ingleside, Texas, USS Inchon (MCS 12) was decommissioned on June 20. The USS Inchon was the US Navy’s only mine countermeasures command and support ship, embarking MH-53E Sea Dragons capable of towing anti-mine sledges. The keel was laid on April 8, 1968 and the vessel launched on May 24, 1969. It was commissioned at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia, on June 20, 1970, as an amphibious assault ship, using helicopters to land troops ashore, a role it undertook until July 1996 when it was converted to the mine countermeasures command and support role.

Commercial

US low-cost operator AirTran Airways has established a new regional jet operation in partnership with Air Wisconsin. AirTran JetConnect will operate a fleet of 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200s on services from Atlanta.

Less than a year after it was established bmibaby, the low-cost arm of bmi british midland, has confirmed that it will serve 22 European destinations from its East Midlands base and nine destinations from its secondary hub at
Cardiff by the end of the year.

Air Atlanta Icelandic will introduce the Boeing 757-200 to its fleet this winter. The Icelandic carrier, which is currently applying for a British licence, has agreed to lease two former Air 2000 aircraft from GATX Air of USA for a four year period.

Operations at French national carrier Air France were severely disrupted from September 6 after members of its various pilots' unions took strike action. The four day action is as a result of plans to privatise the state-owned company.

British Airways has taken delivery of its 50th Airbus aircraft. A320-200 G-EUUG (c/n 1829) was delivered to the carrier on August 30 and is being operated from its London Heathrow base.

Brazilian carrier TAM suffered two major accidents on the same day last weekend, although fortunately no passengers were killed. Two of the airline's Fokker 100s were forced to make emergency landings, one of which, PT-MQH is expected to be classed as a write-off.

A Swedish man of Tunisian origin is in a polic cell in Stockholm after he was arrested at the city's Vasteras Airport on August 29 after attempting to board a Ryanair flight to London with a gun in his hand luggage. Security forces believe that he may have been looking to hijack the aircraft en-route to the UK.

German tour operator TUI has confirmed that its new low-cost subsidiary will be called Hapag-Lloyd Express and will launch operations from Cologne/Bonn Airport in Northern Germany in December. The airline will operate both domestic and international services with a fleet of eight 737-700s leased from Germania. The airline will have a black and yellow livery.

Lufthansa has agreed terms to lease seven long-haul aircraft to cover its immediate capacity needs. The German national carrier will lease three A330s and two A340s, formerly operated by Swissair, and two A330s formerly of Sabena to tide it over until its new A330-300s are delivered later in the decade.

The low-cost boom is spreading. Germanwings will form shortly at Cologne using A319s of Eorowings. The airline is an amalgamation of some Eurowings and Lufthansa operations. In France Corsair has set up Fly-Eco, which will probably use Boeing B737s, and operate, like its model Ryanair, out of Beauvais Airport.

The forward section of the first Boeing 747-400ER (extended range) Freighter has been loaded into an assembly tool in the Everett, Washington facility. Once complete, the aircraft will be delivered to Air France.

US Airways has filed for Chapter 11 bankruprcy protection. This was followed by the announcement by American Airlines of the withdrawal of their Fokker 100 fleet (by 2005) and a further 7,000 job losses. There are also strong rumours that United Airlines, who lost $1.4 billion last year, are about to file for Chapter 1 too.

easyJet has announced that they plan to proceed with the takeover of DeutscheBA, although they have also been in the news regarding cancellation of flights and are blaming a new rostering system.

Ryanair is about to announce a new £15 million repair center at Prestwick Airport in Scotland creating around 180 new jobs for the area.

The latest entrant into the low-cost market is MyTravelLite - an offshoot from MyTravel/Airtours, which plans to start services from Birmingham International Airport in October. Initial routes include Belfast, Paris (Beavais), Alicante, Geneva and Malaga.

Airports in the UK predict increased delays due to passengers not adhering to the new security restrictions regarding sharp objects in hand baggage. Up to 15,000 banned items are being confiscated every day from passengers, at Heathrow, Stansted at Gatwick airports.

Cathay Pacific has announced an increase in profits for the first half of the year and has an optimistic outlook for the second. The airline reported a 7% rise in profits - against expectations of a decrease - and said a recovery in the US economy had boosted its cargo business. The Hong-Kong based airline said strong demand had resulted in aircraft grounded after September 11 had been brought back into service.

Norway will get a new low-cost airline, Norwegian, formerly known as Norwegian Air Shuttle, on September 1, 2002. The airline introduced its new livery at a press conference at Oslo Airport this week. The colours of the airline has pictures of famous Norwegians on the aircraft tail. The airline will fly six times a day from Oslo Airport to Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim and three daily roundtrips between Oslo and Tromso in the north of Norway.

Following its apperarance at the farnborough Show, Virgin Atlantic's new A340-600 has made its first revenue flight from London/Heathrow to New York. The aircraft is initially being used on the standard US flights prior to the second -600 being delivered and is therefore not flying at full capacity.

A number of the world's airlines are cancelling flights on September 11, but are not saying whether it is a security measure or in memory of last year's events.

British Airways pre-tax profits beat expectations to rise to £65 million for the three months to June 30, against the £40 million recorded in the same period in 2001.

Following last weeks announcement of proposed airport developments in the south east of England, one business publication has suggested that British Airways may vacate Heathrow and move to Stansted when it is developed. BA believes that neglecting Heathrow would make it uncompetitive as an international hub and that traffic could shift to Paris or Amsterdam. But it is expected to add that if Stansted is developed as suggested in the discussion document BA would have to reconsider its options.

Boeing has celebrated the first flight of the new 747-400ER (extended range) aircraft, which begins its flight test programme this month from Paine Field.

"In our business, whether you design, build, fly or maintain airplanes, there is nothing more special than a first flight," said Boeing 747-400ER program manager Kurt Kraft after watching the aircraft take off. "It has been a tremendous experience working together with customers, suppliers and regulatory agencies to take the next logical step in this great airplane's evolution."

FedEx, the global freight forwarder, has signed a firm order with Airbus for ten A380-800F freighters with options for a further ten. Deliveries will begin in 2008.

Independent UK carrier British European has rebranded as Flybe, the airline's former web-based brand. Its mixed fleet of BAe 146s, Bombardier Dash 8s and CRJ200s are currently being painted in the new scheme, which was first revealed by Airliner World in the July 2002 magazine.

The aviation industry will gather in the Hampshire suburb of Farnborough next week for the Farnborough air show. Airliner World will be in attendance to bring you all the latest news.

Historic

Sunflower rising
Hungarian Gold Timer Foundation's Lisunov Li-2 HA-LIX has recently been repainted in the colours of its sponsor, Hungarian travel agency Sunflower Rt, at Budapest's Ferihegy airport. The new livery marks the completion of a lengthy restoration to flight status, which has seen around 30,000 man hours spent on the project. (See From the Workshop in the January issue.) This story is illustrated in FlyPast's November issue, on sale October 1.

Australian pioneer's aircraft saved
Commonwealth CA-6 Wackett Trainer VH-AIY was delivered to the Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia at Bull Creek, on August 15. One of only four survivors, it will receive a 'ground-up' restoration.

This particular Wackett has an interesting history. Built in 1941 for the Australian Air Force as A3-31, it served with 3, 8 and 11 Elementary Flying Training Schools, 1 Wireless and Gunnery School and 8 Operational Training Unit.

Declared surplus in November 1945, it was put on the civil register as VH-AIY the following year. Captain Horrie Miller, founder of the MacRobertson Miller Airlines and aviation pioneer, acquired India-Yankee on July 9, 1947, and used it as his personal transport. By the early 1970s, it had been retired to the Horrie C Miller Museum at Broome, Western Australia.

It remained on show until the museum's land was needed for a new building and so the airframe went into external storage. VH-AIY was protected from damage by nearby company, Paspaley Pearling, which provided space in its hangar for two years while negotiations were conducted with the Bull Creek museum. This story is also illustrated in FlyPast's November issue, on sale October 1.

New support for Southend's Vulcan
During July, members of the Vulcan Restoration Trust at Southend, Essex, took on the daunting job of concreting a huge new dispersal pan to take Avro Vulcan B.2 XL426 (G-VJET). The £16,000 project will also provide a much better working environment that will, in turn, help the Vulcan's future preservation.

The original pan area had deteriorated to the stage where it had become overgrown with weeds and it was proving very awkward to walk over, let alone move ground equipment. The work, which was overseen by Steve and Les Williams, took around three weeks to complete and is a tribute to the professionalism and determination of the Southend-based team.

VRT also held two open days in August, celebrating XL426's 40th 'birthday' and the 50th anniversary of the Vulcan's first flight. Both occasions were marked in style, with G-VJET receiving special markings and carrying out impressive fast taxi runs. More on G-VJET can be found in FlyPast's November issue, on sale October 1.

'Dago Red' does it again
Skip Holm and much-modified North American P-51 Mustang Dago Red won the Unlimited Gold finals at Reno, Nevada, on September 14. The Mustang thundered in at 468mph (753km/h) just under ten seconds ahead of Mike Brown in Hawker Sea Fury September Fury.

The first jet class race was also staged with Curt Brown in Aero L39 Albatros American Spirit taking the honours at 456mph (733km/h). The AT-6/SNJ Gold went to Thomas Campau in Mystical Power, while the Sport category was won by a well-known racing name, but in a radically different mount, Darryl Greenamyer in a Lancair. Full report on Reno in the December issue, on sale November 1.

In the UK, the handicap air race calendar came to its conclusion at Leicester, Leics, over the weekend of September 7/8. The Steward's Cup went to last year's King's Cup winner, John Spooner at 190mph (307km/h) in Beech Bonanza G-COLA.

The King's Cup was clinched by Steve Ollier SAL Bulldog G-BCUS at 143.4mph (230km/h). Steve was seconds ahead of multi-King's winner Roger Hayes in his Bulldog G-BPCL.

Australian Dragon close to flight
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon 2 VH-UXG is now in the final stages of a seven-year ground-up restoration by Nick and Greg Challinor at their Mothcair facility at Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia. The work on X-ray-Golf, which was imported into Australia in 1936, is being carried out on behalf of owners Des and Kathleen Porter.

In the meantime, the interior is progressing well with the cockpit finished, the cabin roof and sides lined and the floor carpeting in hand. When the carpet is laid, the leather-covered seats will be installed.

Cape Town rebuilds coming together
The restoration of Douglas Dakota 3 6832 to airworthy status is continuing at a steady pace at Ysterplaat, Cape Town, South Africa. Formerly KG443 with the RAF, it is hoped the Dakota will be back in the air by December 2002, when it will form the centrepiece of a commemorative and educational display planned by SA Aviation Foundation, in conjunction with the SAAF.

Also at Ysterplaat, excellent progress is being made in the restoration of Sikorsky-built Whirlwind HAR.22 WV224 by Richard Woodard and the SA Aviation Foundation team. The former Fleet Air Arm helicopter arrived in 2001 following years of open storage at the SAAF Museum's facility in Pretoria and was extensively inspected for corrosion before work started on the rebuild to static condition.

Tasks carried out so far include fitting the tail boom, along with overhauling the tail rotor gearbox. The main gearbox and rotor head are due to be fitted as soon as a swash plate can be found for the latter.

The Whirlwind's exterior is to be restored to display standard, following which the team will turn its attention to the interior. The final colour scheme has yet to be decided, as this will hinge on the results of ongoing research into its service history.

Fokker's first progressing well
After some eight years of work, the reconstruction of Fokker's first commercial airliner, the F.II, is entering its final stages in the Netherlands. In July, the fuselage was fitted with an Austrian-made wing and the aircraft was put on its own double set of wheels. When finished, it will be one of the main attractions in the new Aviodrome museum.

New acquisitions for Argentine museum
Having established itself at Morón, Buenos Aires province, the National Museum of Aeronautics has two new aircraft in the pipeline. FMA IA-50A Guaraní II T-129 is expected to arrive later this year after being withdrawn from use in mid-2002. The turboprop transport is currently stored at Paraná City awaiting its final flight to Moron.

At VII Brigada Aérea base at Mariano Moreno, close to Buenos Aires City, Sikorsky S-61R H-02 is due to have been transferred by road to the museum's new facilities by the time these words are read. The helicopter was used in the search and rescue role and for presidential duties before being retired and placed into storage during the mid-90s.

Grumman TBM-3E Avenger 85506 (N6582D) is being restored to flying condition by owner Ben Ami, at Herzelia, near Tel Aviv, Israel. Built by General Motors in 1945, the Avenger never saw military service and was one of three used in Israel as crop 'dusters' by Marom Aviation. The other two Avengers also survive, in the care of the Israeli Air Force Museum at Hatzerim.

Restoration, which started around two years ago, aims to return the Avenger to military configuration, a demanding task after its 'duster' conversion. Many original parts have been acquired from around the world, including the pilot's gun-sight, radar for the starboard wing with cockpit-mounted display screen and other instruments. The search for parts continues, items such as the bomb bay doors and internal components still being required.

The engine is now being brought back to life and the landing gear has returned from restoration off-site. It is estimated that the rebuild will take around another two years to complete.

Wirraway airborne
CAC Wirraway III A20-722 (VH-CAC) has made its first post-restoration flight from Tyabb, south of Melbourne, Victoria, flown by Ray Vullermin. From 'basket case' to flyer took just over ten years under the auspices of father and son team 'Barge' and Anthony Sorensen, who operate an aircraft overhaul facility at Tyabb, specialising in DH Gipsy Majors.

The two shared the airframe work and even the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 restoration was carried out in-house. The electrical wiring was completed by Richard Hourigan - the third Wirraway he has been involved with.

The Sorensens' meticulous workmanship ensured there were no post-flight problems. Father and son have now both gone solo on Alpha-Charlie and are enjoying flying their labour-of-love.

Helping hand for 'Lady Satan'
Our June issue told the story of re-uniting a former member of Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 'Lady Satan' with an original flying jacket, as a replacement for one lost during the war. Collector Wilson O'Neal and friends, re-united Jack Godfrey with the jacket in March and set about fund raising to cover the costs. This superb gesture struck a chord with 'FlyPast' readers and we sincerely thank all those who helped out. During a recent visit to Seattle, editor Ken Ellis was able to present Wilson - who works at the Museum of Flight - with the monies raised to date.

MBA Tiger Cub 440 G-MJSU has become the latest exhibit at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum. The biplane microlight arrived at the museum's Flixton home from Swanton Morley, Norfolk, on August 8.

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has donated $500,000 to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's new facility, the Steven F Udvar-Hazy Center. The privately-funded project is being built at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia and will open in December 2003. (See News in the September issue.)

Dennis Buehn's US Navy-marked Grumman HU-16C Albatross 137927 (N7922B) has had a change of livery and ownership. Now in the hands of Glen Balmann and based at Carson City, Nevada, it has been re-registered N7927 and painted in civilian markings.

Augusta-Bell for Dutch museum
Former Dutch Navy Augusta-Bell AB.204B 225 has arrived at the Military Aviation Museum, Soesterberg, the Netherlands. After being retired in the mid-1970s, the helicopter departed for Sweden, where it was used for spare parts. Discovered along with several others, 225 was brought back to Holland, AB.204B 220 donating parts for its impressive restoration. A colour photograph of this fine machine can be found in the October issue of FlyPast, on sale NOW!
Albatross flies in France

Aero L-39 Albatross ES-YLN has arrived at Haguenau, Strasbourg, France, to be operated by the resident warbird operators, Strasbourg Aviation. The two-seat trainer, which is finished in a standard Eastern-bloc camouflage, arrived in early June and is available for demonstration and pleasure flights. A superb photograph of thisL-39 can be found in FlyPast's, October issue, in the shops NOW!

Sea Gladiator handed over
On July 17, the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset, was presented with the partly-restored fuselage of a Gloster Sea Gladiator from the Gloucestershire-based Jet Age Museum. The airframe, compiled using wreckage recovered from Lake Lesjaskag in Norway, has been allocated the serial number 'N5518' and is believed to have been the only Sea Gladiator to operate from the frozen lake alongside RAF Gladiators in 1940.

The project is part of a co-operative venture between the FAAM, the Jet Age Museum and the Norwegian Aviation Museum at Bodo, the latter providing much of the wreckage which enable the project to go ahead. (See Masters of the Merlin in the September issue.) The Jet Age Museum and the Norwegian Aviation Museum will also produce similar compilations from the remaining wreckage, filling missing links in both collections.

Italian liaisons in Canada
Four redundant Italian Army two-seat Siai-Marchetti SM.1019Es have recently arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, in the possession of Glen Pearce and Russ Popel. These aircraft, which include MM57216, were built between 1976 and 1979 as a highly-modified Italian-built turboprop development of the Cessna L-19 Bird Dog and have logged an average of just 1,600 hours. A colour photograph of one of these fine machines can be found in the October issue of FlyPast, on sale NOW!

Belgian squadron honoured
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Belgian Air Force's 349 Squadron, Duxford-based Supermarine Spitfire IX MH434 (G-ASJV) gave a flight demonstration at Kleine Brogel AFB in the unit's wartime codes. The temporary markings are particularly appropriate to the Old Flying Machine Company's Spitfire, as it served with the unit during its time with the Belgian forces. A picture of the Spitfire in the new markings can be found in the October issue of FlyPast…in the shops NOW!

Connie transit delayed
The long-awaited ferry flight of Lockheed Constellation N749NL has been delayed. Its departure from Arizona, USA, is now expected in the next two weeks, meaning it will not now be appearing at the Lelystad airshow, the Netherlands.

Sherpa reunited with original engines
A surprise call from Clive Moore of the Ulster Aviation Society has led to Short SB-4 Sherpa G-36-1 being reunited with its original Turbomeca Palas turbojets, together with their logs and maintenance manuals. The Medway Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) is restoring the Sherpa to static display status at its Rochester, Kent, workshops.

The group had been trying to locate a pair of engines for some time, the unsuccessful search going as far as the Continent, but a final despairing plea through the British Aviation Preservation Council's list of 'wants' finally brought the desired result. The engines, Nos. 53 and 54, had apparently been in store for a number of years and had been well cared for.

The next problem was how to get the powerplants from Ulster to Rochester. An appeal was made to 230 Squadron at Aldergrove, Northern Ireland, and the unit responded in a very positive fashion. With Flt Lt Andy Baron acting as co-ordinator, a Westland Puma HC.1 helicopter en route to Benson, Oxfordshire, diverted to Rochester on July 22 to make the delivery.

Now the engines have been acquired, serious thought is being given to the manufacture of the Sherpa's aero-isoclinic wings. Of the originals, one was destroyed in wind tunnel tests and the other has not been located.

Redwing Trust takes to the wing
The Redwing Preservation Trust was formed last October, when interested parties heard that the sole survivor, Redwing Mk.II G-ABNX, was being offered for sale. Robert Burgess - now the chairman of the trust - realised that the aircraft represented a unique piece of British aviation history and was concerned about its future. In a bid to drum up support for the idea he contacted Pippa Martin, the daughter of John Lane (a founder of the Redwing Company, assistant designer of the Redwing and the firm's last chairman/owner). Pippa was happy to get behind the project, and support also came from the Croydon Airport Society - the Redwing being one of the few aircraft designed, built and first flown from there in 1930. This culminated in a major grant to help secure the future of the aircraft.

In June this year, long-term owner John Pothecary, who rebuilt the aircraft from parts found stored in a hangar in Frensham, Surrey, in 1959, decided to sell G-ABNX to the syndicate, having realised that it was totally dedicated to the welfare and preservation of the Redwing. On June 15 he flew the aircraft back to Redhill, Surrey, where it is now based with Acebell Aviation.

On August 16 a reception was held to celebrate the launch of The Redwing Preservation Trust, with John Pothecary and Pippa Martin among those invited there to see the aircraft fly. Two days later the aircraft was given its first public outing under the care of its new owners during Redhill's vintage aircraft fly-in and garden party. More on this story, including photographs, can be found in the October issue of FlyPast, on sale September 1.

Indian Battle of Britain veteran 'rediscovered'
As we closed for press, a Messerschmitt Bf 109E-1 was being carefully dismantled in the grounds of technical college in India. This amazing 'find' has been acquired by a preservation group who will restore the aircraft.

Although research into the 'Emil's' past is still underway, the aircraft clearly has an incredible pedigree. It fought in the Battle of Britain and then moved to Germany where it was used by a fighter training school.

It was then issued for operational service in North Africa. Here it was captured by the British and repainted with RAF roundels. Via one route or another it was gifted to India and is known to have flown there for a period of time. The 'E-1's flying career came to a halt when it was belly-landed after a display.

Without the capability to effect repairs, the Messerschmitt was gifted to the technical college. It has lain in the grounds there up until its recent 'discovery'.

Cape Town rebuilds coming together
The restoration of Douglas Dakota 3 6832 to airworthy status is continuing at a steady pace at Ysterplaat, Cape Town, South Africa. Formerly KG443 with the RAF, it is hoped the Dakota will be back in the air by December 2002, when it will form the centrepiece of a commemorative and educational display planned by SA Aviation Foundation, in conjunction with the SAAF.

Also at Ysterplaat, excellent progress is being made in the restoration of Sikorsky-built Whirlwind HAR.22 WV224 by Richard Woodard and the SA Aviation Foundation team. The former Fleet Air Arm helicopter arrived in 2001 following years of open storage at the SAAF Museum's facility in Pretoria and was extensively inspected for corrosion before work started on the rebuild to static condition.

Tasks carried out so far include fitting the tail boom, along with overhauling the tail rotor gearbox. The main gearbox and rotor head are due to be fitted as soon as a swash plate can be found for the latter.

The Whirlwind's exterior is to be restored to display standard, following which the team will turn its attention to the interior. The final colour scheme has yet to be decided, as this will hinge on the results of ongoing research into its service history.

Mitchell gets the Chino treatment
Former Australian War Memorial North American B-25J Mitchell N6116X made its first post-restoration flight at Chino, California, on June 22. Acquired by the Yanks Air Museum in the late 1990s, it had been in store since its arrival from Canberra, Australia.
Built in 1945, it spent most of its service life in California and Arizona as 44-86791. Once out of the military, it became a fire-bomber in Alaska and served in this role for many years before being purchased by the Australian War Memorial in late 1983 and registered VH-XXV. Its flying days ended on November 30, 1987, when it was placed on display within the museum.

Some years later, to many people's surprise, the B-25 was sold and exported to the USA. Unfortunately, it was damaged during shipping and was then placed in store by its new owners.

In April 2002, work began towards getting the classic bomber back in the air, with museum staff re-covering the fabric flying control surfaces and rebuilding the top of the bomb bay. Warbird restorers, Edwards Brothers Aviation, overhauled and replaced many items, leading to the first engine runs and tests.

N6116X made its first flight in over 14 years on June 22, crewed by Tony Ritzman and Carl Scholl of B-25 specialists, Aero Trader, along with Clive Edwards. Thanks to all involved in the restoration, the air test was highly successful and the Mitchell is now set to become a Chino favourite.

Stormbird fires into life
On June 25, Messerschmitt Me 262 reproduction N262AZ White 1 made its first taxi test at Paine Field, Everett, Washington, USA. With former Luftwaffe Lockheed F-104G Starfighter pilot Wolfgang Czaia at the controls, this major milestone for the project was witnessed by wartime '262 pilot Oberleutnant Franz Stigler.

Powered by a pair of General Electric CJ610 turbojets - as fitted to Learjet 24s and 25s as well as other executive jets - at least 40 hours of flight test will be undertaken. The original Me 262 was powered by two heavier Jumo 004 turbojets of roughly two-thirds the thrust of the CJ610. As with the rest of this superb reproduction, the engine nacelles faithfully reflect the original, requiring the smaller CJ610 to be placed further aft and lower than the Jumos.

Flight test will pay particular attention to this new engine combination with high angle of attack, stall, minimum single-engine control speeds and other factors being explored at height prior to the writing of comprehensive pilot's notes for customers, explained Wolfgang. The critical Mach number for the 'new' Me 262 is within the 0.83 to 0.86 band.

Testing is expected to move quickly from a simple extended circuit into full envelope analysis. The first flight will be an unpublicised event but will be followed by an 'official' first flight with loads of ceremony!

The 262 team would not be drawn on the price or delivery dates for the first two examples. The airframe price is thought to be at least $2 million. Engines and avionics fit would be extra.

Two customers have been announced, a US operator and the German-based Messerschmitt Foundation. Construction of the foundation's aircraft - known by the team as 'Red Nose' - has been accelerated. Wolfgang hoped that a transatlantic ferry with extra tanks in the rear seat would be possible for this export aircraft.

Three other unfinished Me 262s are stored pending further customer interest. The team believe this is bound to heighten once the first 'Stormbird' is in the air.

A Phoenix for Cornwall?
Reports in some elements of the press mention a plan for "a huge £70 million project to create the largest and most comprehensive military museum in the world" in, erm, Cornwall. They quote the aerodrome at Perranporth as the most likely site. Several incredulous readers have passed on cuttings.

The UK Phoenix Foundation is reportedly behind the grand scheme and, among other claims, is said to have the salvage rights to two lakes in Russia where it has recovered "a British ship... with crates of Hurricanes and Kittihawks [sic] on it." The foundation says it has 60 aircraft and hopes to be open by 2006.

What it aims to create at Perranporth is the "International Warfare Museum" (IWM - where have I heard those initials before now?). Sad thing is, nobody at Perranporth aerodrome could give us any details...

Evergreen Blackbird
The Evergreen Aviation Museum at McMinnville, Oregon, USA - famed home of the Hughes 'Spruce Goose' flying-boat - is to take delivery of Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird 61-7971. The aircraft is currently being dismantled ready for its road journey. Currently at the Dryden Flight Research Centre, California, the aircraft is on loan from NASA.

Cargomaster inaugurated at Dover
One of the main events at Dover Air Force Base's recent airshow was the inauguration of newly-reconstructed Douglas C-133B Cargomaster 59-0536 to the Delaware station's museum collection. It had been delivered in several loads by a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy in March 2001 from Omaha, Nebraska. (See News August 2001.)

The plan was to restore the Cargomaster over three to four years, but with the decision to hold an airshow at the base - a rare event here - the pressure was on to get the work accelerated. The USAF was hugely helpful to the project, supplying personnel and equipment. Nearly all the work was completed in time for the show, with the only obviously missing part being the tail cone, which the museum is trying to source elsewhere in the US.

More on this story, including C-133 survivors and illustrations can be found in the September issue of FlyPast…in the shops NOW!

Historic USAAF document arrives at Boxted
Boxted Airfield Historical Group has recently become custodian of the original first volume of the USAAF's 386th Bomb Group diary and history of its time at Boxted during World War Two. Donated by the unit's US-based Veteran Association, the large journal contains details of daily life at the Essex airfield and describes missions, aircraft used, names of the crews and sadly, losses incurred.

The historic document will be on public display at a special 60th anniversary fly-in and open day at Boxted, which is being held on September 1. The event, which starts at 10am, will also feature displays by aviation groups, re-enactments, a small flying display and an exhibition on the history of the airfield.

Humming Bird spreads its wings
Rapid progress is being made on the rebuild of DH.53 Humming Bird G-EBQP at Skysport Engineering of Hatch, Bedfordshire. Carried out by craftsman Terry Pankhurst, it has been a long-term rebuild to airworthy condition, using the original wings of Quebec-Papa, combined with a new fuselage.

One of eight accepted for trials with the RAF, it flew with the serial J7326 and was launched from the airship R-34 using an attachment rig. At the end of the trial, it was civilianised as G-EBQP. During its later life the wings were used in the homebuilt one-off Martin Monoplane G-AEYY before being acquired by Mike Russell in the 1970s. It is intended that the Humming Bird will carry its service markings, and in due course, an airship 'rig'.

New jet for Western Australia Museum
Macchi MB.326H 'A7-025' was delivered by road to the Aviation Heritage Museum of Western Australia at Bull Creek, on June 15. An amalgamation of A7-066 with the wings and tail from an unidentified aircraft, it saw service with 2 Flying Training School, 25, 76 and 79 Squadrons, clocking up 7,777 flying hours.
Acquiring the Macchi from the RAAF is quite an achievement for the collection, as it is only the second complete example to go on show in an Australian museum. At present, Bull Creek has the cockpit of Macchi MB.326H A7-064, which lacks most of its equipment and this will now be refurbished to allow visitors to sit in the jet trainer's cockpit. This story is illustrated in FlyPast's September, on sale August 1.

Will she, won't she?
Efforts continue in the campaign to bring the recently decommissioned Brazilian aircraft carrier, A-11 Minas Gerais, back to the UK. Hopes are high that she will be converted into a floating museum in the docks of Southampton, Hants, in a similar way to the renowned USS Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York harbour.
Built in Portsmouth, Hants, as HMS Vengeance, it was part of the 16-ship Colossus class and was received by the Royal Navy on December 15, 1944. Although it was delivered too late to be used in World War Two, it is believed to be the only surviving example of a British aircraft carrier from this period. More on this fascinating story can be found in the September issue of FlyPast, in the shops NOW!

Mitchell gets the Chino treatment
Former Australian War Memorial North American B-25J Mitchell N6116X made its first post-restoration flight at Chino, California, on June 22. Acquired by the Yanks Air Museum in the late 1990s, it had been in store since its arrival from Canberra, Australia.
Built in 1945, it spent most of its service life in California and Arizona as 44-86791. Once out of the military, it became a fire-bomber in Alaska and served in this role for many years before being purchased by the Australian War Memorial in late 1983 and registered VH-XXV. Its flying days ended on November 30, 1987, when it was placed on display within the museum.
Some years later, to many people's surprise, the B-25 was sold and exported to the USA. Unfortunately, it was damaged during shipping and was then placed in store by its new owners.
In April 2002, work began towards getting the classic bomber back in the air, with museum staff re-covering the fabric flying control surfaces and rebuilding the top of the bomb bay. Warbird restorers, Edwards Brothers Aviation, overhauled and replaced many items, leading to the first engine runs and tests.
N6116X made its first flight in over 14 years on June 22, crewed by Tony Ritzman and Carl Scholl of B-25 specialists, Aero Trader, along with Clive Edwards. Thanks to all involved in the restoration, the air test was highly successful and the Mitchell is now set to become a Chino favourite. This fine bomber is illustrated in FlyPast's September, on sale August 1.