On April 7th 2011 Meteor WA591 taxied under it's own power as the move towards flight starts gaining pace. Tests flights hope to commence soon. Powering up and down the Kemble runway no problems were reported.

Picture courtesy of Alex Walsh/Meteor Flight

BBMF Dakota D-Day Scheme

The BBMF's Dakota has been given a new D-Day scheme and with the name "Kwicherbichen" on the nose.

B-17 for re-vamp!

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "Mary Alice", based at IWM Duxford, is to undergo major maintenance and a face lift after corrosion was found in significant amounts on the airframe. It has not yet been decided what new scheme, if any, will be given to the aircraft. The work is expected to take no longer than 16 months and so will be finished by mid-2012. The biggest challenge for the restoration team will be the dismantling and moving of the aircraft, as removing the front of the AAM has been ruled out, and taking it to Hanger 5.

Ohka 11 for IWM

IWM Duxford has taken delivery of suicide machine Ohka 11 Baka built by Yokosuka.

Marinell discovered!

The origins of Maurice Hammond's P-51D "Marinell" markings have finally been unveiled. What looks like an unusual work is a shorthand amalgamation of a woman's name - to be precise Mary Nell. She was the "date" of WWII pilot Brad Stevens who named his aircraft after his sweetheart; she signed letters to him "Marinell"

App Your Airshow World!

The Imperial War Museum Duxford are launching an App for Android and iPhone that will allow users to get up-to-the-minute information from Airshows, and news throughout the year, straight to their phone! It will be available from Mid-May and will be FREE for a limited time only. Airshow goers will be able to download the App via a special Wi-Fi signal at the museum's Spring Airshow 2011

Fury in hiding!

Historic Aircraft Collection's original Hawker Fury I bi-plane fighter has left the Retrotec workshop and has moved to a secret location for assembly and air-testing. It is hoped the fighter will make it's debut at Duxford's Spring Airshow on May 22nd.

Line-up change for Little Gransden 2011

Hanger 11 have been forced to change their participation at Little Gransden's 2011 Charity Air & Car Show. Originally planned was the newly refurbished Spitfire Mk.XI, however operational conflicts have meant a replacement, in the form of Hawker Hurricane MkIIb "Hurri-Bomber".

Buchon under power!

Hispano Buchon (Me109) G-AWHE has been under going taxi tests this month at Duxford airfield. Powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin 500 engine, it will be the second Buchon in British skies.

 

The Fighter Collection's P-47G "Razorback" Thunderbolt has landed on it's undercarriage and i now supported by it's own wieght. It has also acquired a new propeller and the engine cowlings have been fitted.

Picture courtesy of Duxford Update

Shiny Focke-Wulf!

 

MeierMotors (Max Alpha) rolled out FlugWerk 190 (former G-FWAB) for an 8 minute engine run recently. Test flights should commence soon!
Picture courtesy of MeierMotors.com

Fury announced for Duxford Spring Show!

Historic Aircraft Company have included there original Hawker FUry bi-plane fighter for 2011's Duxford Spring Airshow. Yet to arrive at DX, the fighter will be joined in the air by HAC's and TFC's Hawker Nimrods.

Sea Fury T.20 joins RNHF

The Royal Navy Historic Flight have loaned Sea Fury T.20 VX281. It will serve as a training aircraft but also as a stand in for FB.11 VR930 (pictured) at airshows until it's Centaurus engine has been overhauled.

"Just Jane" moves closer to flight

The UK's second Lancaster, currently in taxiable condition, has taken a step closer to returning to the air. The ambitious project is still years away but a significant milestone has been reached - it has been reinstated on the UK register as G-ASXX.
The Licolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre now have three airworthy Merlin engines and the spares stores are being filled to a healthy level.

Corsair In The Air!

Family owned Vought Corsair F4U-4 N715JT took to the air following restoration on March 6th 2011. The aircraft crashed, fatally, on 10th November 2002.

Flug Werks on the move

Two FlugWerk 190's have recently left Germany for their new homes. Military Aviation Museum's D-FMFW has now left MeierMotors for Virginia Beach, Virginia and D-FWWC has been purchased by New Zealand's Chariots Of Fire Fighter Collection - it is the first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

 
 Picture of D-FWWC courtesy of Wolverhampton Aviation Group

P-38 For Legends

It has been announced that P-38L Lockheed Lightning, owned by Red Bull, will attend 2011's Flying Legends Airshow in July. It will be accompanied by Red Bull's F4U-4 Vought Corsair. Both machines brandish the distinct Red Bull logo.