Worldwide Numbers of Warbirds Flying by Type

[Hooligan2]

Spitfire TR.IX G-BMSB/MJ627 seen returning to Biggin Hill a few minutes ago, presumably on an air test after repairs following her forced landing in Kent on 3rd May. Info gleaned from ADSB Exchange not an actual sighting! Aloft for about half an hour.

[Hooligan2]

Whoops, duplicate post!

[JohnTerrell]

Thank you for the heads-up! I've restored MJ627 to the list.

I'm curious how soon we might see Spitfire RM927 (F-AYXX) back flying again too - at the time of its incident, the owner thought it might take as little as a couple weeks before it would be flying again.

I've removed the FG-1D Corsair G-FGID (ex The Fighter Collection), as it soon begins its ocean journey to Chino, CA, where it will likely undergo overhaul before flying again. It sounds like it will ultimately be based in Fairhope, Alabama, where the Corsair's new owner bases his TF-51D 'Contrary Mary'.

In other UK warbird news, the desert camo-painted FM-2 Wildcat G-KINL, with ARCo at Duxford, is expected to fly very soon, having been undergoing repairs after it flipped on its back while landing at Heveningham Hall two years ago. In the last couple days, its been rolled out and has had its compass swung and engine run.

[JohnTerrell]

The latest Basler BT-67 (converted C-47) N700CA has flown and has been added to the list. The aircraft has WWII history, having served with the RAF as Dakota KG403. With 233 Sqdn. it dropped paratroopers on D-Day, and was used during Operation Market Garden, towing a Horsa glider and flying resupply missions. Later, it was also used in Operation Varsity, once again towing a Horsa glider. Prior to Basler having acquired it in 2013, it had been operating in the US, finished as a civilian DC-3 with a beautiful combination of polished bare metal and blue paint.

[JohnTerrell]

W Air Collection have shared online that their Spitfire FR Mk XIV RM927 (F-AYXX), now with new prop blades and Griffon nose case installed, returned to flight today. As some will recall, back on May 30th, it had the misfortune of taxiing over an unmarked area of soft soil with concrete buried below, which when the tires struck, caused the aircraft to come to an immediate stop, lifting to the tail and causing the prop to bury itself into the ground. One of my favorites amongst the restored/airworthy Spitfires, it's good to know its back in airworthy form once more.

[Hooligan2]

Glad to hear RM927 is back in the air too...

[Hooligan2]

A-26 N4313 has spent the last week or so making her way across the Atlantic via Sept Isles, Goose, Narsarsuaq, Reykjavik and Wick, arriving at Biggin Hill last night after what must have been a spectacular lowish trip across London, right over Westminster - wish I'd seen it!

After a night outside the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, she departed this afternoon, heading for Poland I believe.

Pleased to have had a distant view of her through the drizzle this morning! Can't believe it's 47 years since I first saw an A-26, parked on almost the same spot; I hope N4313 will enjoy a much longer and happier life over here and pop back to delight British enthusiasts from time to time.

[JohnTerrell]

Some changes coming to the list...

- The Soaring by the Sea Foundation, located in Oregon, has recently purchased the French-based AD-4N Skyraider F-AZFN, to join its flying collection, which includes a PBY-5A Catalina and P-40N Warhawk.

- The Fighter Collection recently sold their Curtiss P-36C 38-210, and it is heading to the west coast of the US, if what I've been told is correct.

- Shaun Browne's Spitfire Mk.V BM597 and Spitfire Mk.XIV RN201 are in the process of being packed-up and shipped from their current home at Duxford in England, to what will be their new home in Albion Park, Australia, where Browne's other Spitfire, PL344, is already based and operated. With these Spitfires heading down under, Pays Aviation's two-seat Mk.IX BS548 in the final stretch of restoration to fly, and efforts underway to overhaul the Merlin engine for the RAAF's Spitfire Mk.XVI TB863, Australia could very well boast 9 flying Spitfires in the coming year.

- The TP-51C Mustang 42-103293, which was most recently restored for the Collings Foundation as 'The Stars Look Down', was sold within the past month to Donald Kirlin. As of this week, the aircraft remains receiving some final touches at American Aero Services, where it was restored.

- The F-6D Mustang 'Lil' Margaret', owned by Giovanni Marchi and Silvia Sorlini, was test flown at Brasschaat Airfield in Belgium, where the final details of its restoration were completed by FAST Aero, and it has now made its way to its home in Italy today. The aircraft hadn't flown since 2018, when it was damaged in a takeoff accident in England and underwent some lengthy repairs. 'Lil' Margaret' has been placed on the Belgian register as OO-LIL, which is something that has become more and more popular amongst European-based warbirds, through the work of FAST Aero, even when they aren't actually based in Belgium.

[JohnB]

Quick question....
I appreciate that many trainer and liaison types aren't listed here.

However, I was watching a documentary on a WWII trainer field (Corsicana, TX) which operated PT-19s.

The FAA database lists only seven PT-19s registered (remember, that means paperwork exists, not necessarily an aircraft or even project). Although Fairchilds are much less common than Stearmans, N3Ns, or even PT-22s, that seems very low.
The FAA lists 31 PT-23s. That seems bit high.

Meanwhile, Wikipedia, says 98 airworthy PT-19/23 aircraft exist worldwide.
I think that number is an error, there might be 98 survivors, but not airworthy.

So, does anyone have better figures?

[mike furline]

Quick question....
I appreciate that many trainer and liaison types aren't listed here.

However, I was watching a documentary on a WWII trainer field (Corsicana, TX) which operated PT-19s.

The FAA database lists only seven PT-19s registered (remember, that means paperwork exists, not necessarily an aircraft or even project). Although Fairchilds are much less common than Stearmans, N3Ns, or even PT-22s, that seems very low.
The FAA lists 31 PT-23s. That seems bit high.

Meanwhile, Wikipedia, says 98 airworthy PT-19/23 aircraft exist worldwide.
I think that number is an error, there might be 98 survivors, but not airworthy.

So, does anyone have better figures?

Look up Fairchild/M62 which will encompass PT-19, 23 & 26.
https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquir ... odelResult

[JohnB]

Mike

Thanks, I figured there were probably more under some other listing.

So, they list just over 200.
Wonder how many of those are airworthy....or even exist?

Anyone have a wild guess?

[JohnTerrell]

The Soaring by the Sea Foundation's newly-acquired AD-4N Skyraider (ex-F-AZFN) has been switched on the list to now being located in the US and registered as N5716. Its been assembled and ground-tested in Texas, and should be flying very soon.

The ex-Fighter Collection FG-1D Corsair (ex G-FGID) is also undergoing reassembly in Texas, for its new Mississippi-based owner. It has been registered as N671D.

[JohnTerrell]

After having been under repair for nearly seven years, the Livermore, CA-based BT-13A N59842, known as 'Annie', was successfully test-flown on August 10th. This was the first time the aircraft had flown since being damaged in a takeoff accident in October 2018.

[JohnTerrell]

Tom Harris' Fleet Air Arm Mediterranean Theatre-marked FM-2 Wildcat, G-KINL, has returned to flight at Duxford, following substantial repairs required after a landing accident in July 2023 caused the aircraft to flip over on its back.

[Hooligan2]

Good to hear G-KINL is back in the air, hopefully get to see her at some point soon.

Update to G-BMSB's recent return to flight, she just flew over my house sounding lovely!