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Sept-Oct 2011
- What’s Buzzin’ Cuzzin’?
- Recollections and Recognition
- Worth Every Penny
Vintage Wings of Canada recently completed a full restoration of their “Stringbag,” an endearing nickname for the legendary Fairey Swordfish. Its first public appearance took place at EAA’s Airventure in Oshkosh, WI, where Warbird Digest connected with Dave O’Malley who shares the complete story with you.
In the post World War Two environment many designers and planners were looking for meaningful data of what Mother Nature’s capacity for in-flight damage was. Now a footnote in history, this unique program was one of the many amazing test programs that has kept American aviation second to none.
Generally considered the world’s largest military air show, the Royal Internationalo Air Tattoo (RIAT) draws the best overall collection of European military aircraft, both past and present. Frank Mormillo focuses on the incredible collection of jet warbirds that participated at the 2011 event, held at RAF Fairford, England.
The original Buzzin’ Cuzzin’, Colonel (retired)Bill Spengler, shares intimate memories of World War Two.
On August 5, 2011, another restored combat veteran warbird took to the skies. After three successful test flights under the control of chief pilot Larry Elmore this Douglas A-4C Skyhawk was turned over to Rick Millson for a special man-machine reunion. Rick shares the story of how this very jet brought him home safely 46 years ago.
When Robert Garriott enlisted Kent Holiday’s help to find a worthy Mustang the path led to Pacific Fighters and P-51D serial# 44-84753. After they chose to paint it as Buzzin’ Cuzzin’, a 78th Ftr Grp aircraft, they met Bill Spengler, the original pilot. This is a story of a restoration and an unforgettable reunion.
When John Sessions’ Historic Flight Foundation takes part in Paine Field’s annual General Aviation Day, scores of photographers show up to photograph warbirds. Lyle Jansma hatched a mutually beneficial scheme that offered photographers an affordable opportunity to experience the joys and challenges of air-to-air photography.