All, latest issue at the printers - better late than never I guess
Main articles as follows:
LIBERTY ALOFT – The American D.H.4When the USA entered the Great War they had little on the way of combat aircraft, consequently opting to produce aircraft under license. Geoffrey de Havilland’s D.H.4 was selected because of its comparatively simple construction and its apparent adaptability to mass production. It was also well suited to the new American 400 hp Liberty V-12 engine, from whence it would get its name. Despite being generally popular, there was the perception by American crews that the aircraft was a fiery death trap and it became known to many of them as the “Flaming Coffin,” not a view shared by British air crews or backed up in loss statistics. American Liberty Planes and crews served with distinction and became famous with the attempts to resupply the ‘Lost Battalion,’ and of the six Medals of Honor awarded to American aviators during WWI, four were bestowed upon Pilots and Observers flying D.H.4s
AUSSIE HUDSONS at WAR and PEACEThe multi role Lockheed Hudson had the distinction of being the first non-British designed aircraft to enter RAAF service and was the first Commonwealth operated aircraft to engage in offensive operations in the Pacific War. The type was retired from RAAF service in the late 1940s but a number went on to operate as converted airliners and aerial photographic surveying aircraft, the latter through to the early 1970s. In this article we look at the Hudson's service under Australian ownership both military and civil before focusing on the only airworthy example of the type which has a remarkable history through both war and peace. As with any decades old aircraft once and a while major maintenance is required and to round out the article there is a look at what has just been completed to keep the old girl safely in the air.
Our Last Mystery Aircraft was a... PZL P.24Although built in fewer numbers than the more widely known PZL P.11, the PZL P.24 was for a period during the 1930’s the fastest and most heavily armed single-seat fighter in the world. Having acquired early notoriety at the Paris Air Salon, which exhibited aeronautical advances across many nations, with their innovative wing design, the P.24 represented the ultimate development of the family of fighter aircraft designed by Pulawski and later, Jakimiuk. Not wanted by its own Polish Air Force the aircraft was quickly snapped up by foreign powers and saw service in the air forces of four countries: Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey. Here we look at the journey of the aircraft, from turning heads in Paris, through to its combat with the Royal Hellenic Air Force.
SID MARSHALL’S LEGACY – THE TWINS
Following on from our previous article featuring a ‘then & now’ look at the single engine types owned by Sidney ‘Sid’ Marshall, here we focus on the surviving twin engine aircraft which passed through his hands. The aircraft featured include DH Dragon, Short Scion, Lockheed Electra, several DC-2s and a couple of Avro Ansons. The histories of these aircraft are delved into and although only one is currently airworthy, others are under restoration- even if most will be for static display.
GLOSTER GLADIATOR SURVIVORS (Part 1)The Gloster Gladiator was the first enclosed cockpit and the last biplane fighter introduced into RAF service- this in the period when monoplanes were knocking on the door. In the first of two parts looking at the aircraft we begin with an overview of the type’s development through to its service from Norway through to the Middle and Far East. The most famous Gladiator operations were undoubtedly their involvement in the early stages of the air war over the island of Malta. These battling biplanes attained mythical status in repelling the Axis air forces until more modern fighters could be flown in. Three of these aircraft became household names – “’Faith, Hope & Charity.” A major part of the feature looks at the operations over Malta and the confusion over when the famous three were named. Two come in for special treatment, ‘Faith’ and ‘Charity.’ The former is a museum exhibit, whilst the ghost of latter is being painstakingly rebuilt to fly as a tribute to the defenders and people of George Cross Island.
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