Warbird news
Corsair sale
The sale of well known Corsair G-FGID to an undisclosed warbird collector in the state of Alabama in the USA was not reported earlier by Scramble.
The fighter, Goodyear built FG-1D BuNo88297, has been part of the inventory of The Fighter Collection, Duxford during the last 44 years. It was saved by Frank Tallman in 1960 and became N9154Z, and later N8297. It arrived as N8297 in Europe in 1986 and was registered as G-FGID in 1991.
The fighter was then painted in the livery of the British Fleet Air Arm. It represents Corsair IV 'KD345' of 1850 Squadron during its service aboard HMS Vengeance in December 1945 as part of the British Pacific Fleet. (photo Gert Jan Mentink)
Zero first flight
On 5 May, Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero NX9940 made its first post restoration flight from Seattle-Paine Field. The plane, restored by Legend Flyers was flown by Mike Spalding. The Zero, a '32' model, is a composite of two aircraft, the front end and wings of c/n 3148 and the rear fuselage of c/n 3145. It carries codes 'S-112' and '994'. The fighter is owned by the local Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum. (photo Jordan Arens)
FW190 to Turkish museum
The MSO airspace museum in Turkey has received another airworthy warbird, a FlugWerk built FW-190A-8N fighter. It was built in the years 2011 to 2015, and has taken over the identity of c/n 1134, '13 Black' built in 1943. It used to be owned by Dan Kirkland of Kingman (AZ), hence its registration N190DK. The type has strong historic significance for Turkey as the Turkish Air Force flew no less than 72 Fw-190s which had been donated by Nazi Germany. They were retired in 1947.
Yak-11 engine run
Through the owner and restorer, Laurent Lecomte, we received the news that his Yak-11 project F-AZYL recently had its first succesful engine run. Scramble reported earlier on this Yakovlev (in fact a LET C-11) here. Its Permit to Fly from the French DGAC is expected around 20 May and the first post restoration flight will then follow soon. The trainer will be painted after its first flight. (photo Laurent Lecomte)
BoBMF Dak new livery
The BBMF Dakota ZA947 made a short taxy at Duxford on 8 May. It was the first time it moved under its own power since its arrival on 21 July 2022. The faithful Dak has not only been under heavy maintenance it has also been repainted. It now carries the colourscheme of an RAF SEAC (South East Asia Command) Dakota. (photo David Withworth)