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March-April 2014
- This Turkey Can Fly
- Shorts Tucano
- The Fastest Warbird
- Ace Allison
- Gloster Gauntlet GT-400
- Detroit Ace
The number of TBM Avengers listed as flyable total about 30 and about half that many are actually flown regularly. One of the handful being restored was recently completed, and what a beauty it is! This is the story of Charlie Cartledge’s fifteen year odyssey that transformed a wreck into a masterpiece.
When a recent British force reduction made a number of Shorts Tucano trainers available on the civilian market, RSW Group of Phoenix, Arizona, saw the niche opportunity they couldn’t pass up. Warbird Digest visited RSW to learn about the amazing Tucano, to photograph them, and to experience first-hand the performance that makes it a serious player in warbird and military markets.
Bud Wheeler has been building Allison V-12s for over thirty years. His intimate knowledge of the V1710, coupled with his experience and mechanical aptitude, have resulted in many innovations that make today’s engines more reliable than ever.
The final generation of British biplanes included the Gloster Gauntlet, which was still in service at the outbreak of World War II. A handful of these rugged airplanes found their way to Finland, where one lone survivor still flies to represent the breed.
The F-104 was the ultimate example of the lust for speed that made other capabilities secondary in aircraft development during the Cold War. Aviation legend Darryl Greenamyer, along with a team that shared his dream, conspired to set a new world speed record in a special F-104 Starfighter. Thirty six years later that record remains unbeaten.
The final chapter of Lt. Urban “Ben” Drew’s life was punctuated by seven black horses pulling his flag covered casket in a caisson accompanied by eight soldiers. Prayers were offered, a flag was folded and presented, three rifle volleys rang out, and a P-51 roared overhead. Steve Chapis takes on a journey through the life of an American hero.