Warbird Information Exchange

Ok, the world's countires that are full of flyable warbirds are few and far between.

Canada, UK, USA, Australlia, and NZ. Anyone correct me if im wrong. but i believe that these are the only countries?

That's what brings me to my question: How many warbirds and which ones are flying in other various countries and regions like South Africa, the Middle East and so forth?

Appreciate the reply!

I think you may have to define "full". These countries, to name just a few, also have a warbird community. I am not sure if they constitute being "full", but Canada isn't exactly teeming with flyable warbirds either; maybe if you looked at it per capita....

Switzerland
Italy
Germany
France
Austria

In fact, it may be hard to find any country that does not have at least one or two Harvards flying around.

greg v.

Many in Europe and South Africa

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gregv, no your right

What i meant is that, certain countries have alot more flyable warbirds than others. Canada does have a select number of flyable aircraft, but they are a signifciant amount, compared to other places in the world.

I think you would want to add France to your list as having quite a few warbirds and other historics flying; about as many as Canada, anyway, or more.

In discussing this topic remember that some of these countries don't have much in the way of private civil aviation generally. The countries on your original list are by far the most liberal with respect to non-commercial aviation. (Hey bdk, there's something I like about the U.S.!)

Case in point, Japan. I've always been saddened that there's no warbird movement there. In the 1980s, they had the money, the airframes were available, and judging by the models and books they put out, the enthusiasm in WWII/aviation history was there for major restoring and collecting. We could have seen Zekes, Ki-61s, who knows what; and some of them likely would have found their way abroad. It seems the barriers to recreational and exhibition flying over there were just too high for any kind of movement to take root.

August

Hooray! Common ground!!!!

Planes of Fame has taken their Zero there for more than one tour (and a Mustang too I think at least once). Civil aviation is pretty much not allowed I understand, but there was a group flying ultralights kind of under the radar over there.

I think a large part of Japan has moved to Southern California to take flight training anyhow, but maybe that is a story for another time.

As you say it is probably a shame because of the number of enthusiasts over there. They also have a tradition of some very good engineers (aerospace and otherwise).

good point about japan...... they really blew the chance at the opportunity.

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Maybe theres still a chance?

Maybe theres still a chance in Japan? and yes i would add France to that list.

Planes of Fame (then the Air Museum) first took its Ki-84 to fly in Japan in 1973. (Yes kids, a Hayate flying with its original engine, the last one existing anywhere.) A Japanese guy bought it and let it decay to worse than it was before Maloney even started restoring it. It is still there, now patched up enough to make an okay static display, but far from airworthy and very few people got to see it fly.

When POF first completed their Zero they took it to Japan for a similar tour which caused great concern that maybe Japan was The Place Warbirds Go To Die. Luckily it came back, and ever since, has been delighting us ever since the way we only wish the Hayate would have. Then they took it over again with the P-51D, in 1995.

Could there still be a chance for Japan? I have to doubt it. The trend in general aviation everywhere is getting more restricted, not less, what with financial/regulatory pressure and "terrism" hysteria. (See the thread on GWB's new budget.) The economy there is not what it was in the 80s. I'm afraid that if Japanese collectors did get into the scene now, it might just be to buy up what already exists, rather than tool up to restore anything new. But I'd love to be wrong.

August

Japan is difficult to fly GA in, you have to have a flight plan for anything over 5nm from the airport and there are few airports in the country. Also, there is a lack of experienced warbird pilots over there. The Skytypers sold their SNJ-2s to a japanese company after doing an advertising tour there in the 80s and they were not successful in getting japanese pilots checked out in them... wound up rotting for a few years before they went to auction. Pretty country though, the coastline around Hokkaido is gorgeous at 500ft abovethe water!

Jason

If I'm not mistaken general aviation is opening up in mainland China of all places... Warbirds? Probably not!

It would be nice to see countries like China, Japan, Mexico, and others start to fly there treasures that they have neglected for years. Anything is possible, though not as likely.

Lets hope!