2026 restorations

[ErrolC]

The Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar's DH Mosquito, being restored by Avspecs in New Zealand, is expected to fly in 2026.

If jets are okay to be included there's Folland Gnat XR987/ZK-RAJ in New Zealand which is hoped to be at Warbirds Over Wanaka at Easter but is still in the shop.

According to this article the Mossie is planned for the last quarter of 2026.
https://www.lecharpeblanche.fr/2025/12/ ... e-zelande/

[phil65]

I am really looking forward to the Allied Fighters' Hellcat and hope that 2026 will be the year to see it finished and flying. Speaking of Hellcats, I have to imagine that the Yanks' bird will finally see air under its wings in the coming year as well. I imagine chances are slim but maybe their Helldiver too. And how about the Yanks' P-47 and or P-51A, either of those have any chance of completion? How about the FHC Stuka which has been moved to Arkansas for completion? The last few years have been pretty mind blowing and it does not look like it is slowing down at all, exciting times!

Where in Arkansas ?

Thanks,
Phil

[BK]

I am really looking forward to the Allied Fighters' Hellcat and hope that 2026 will be the year to see it finished and flying. Speaking of Hellcats, I have to imagine that the Yanks' bird will finally see air under its wings in the coming year as well. I imagine chances are slim but maybe their Helldiver too. And how about the Yanks' P-47 and or P-51A, either of those have any chance of completion? How about the FHC Stuka which has been moved to Arkansas for completion? The last few years have been pretty mind blowing and it does not look like it is slowing down at all, exciting times!

Where in Arkansas ?

Thanks,
Phil

The Roost in Bentonville. Hometown of it's owner, Steuart Walton.

[Thomas_Mac]

Hawker Tempest II MW 376 perhaps?
https://kfcentre.ca/aircraft-collection ... pest-mkii/

[ErrolC]

It's that time of year again, what restorations do you think we will see fly in 2026?

-Pays Aviation Spitfire T.IX
-P-40E at Colorado Springs
-Collings Foundation Fw-190F
-Collings Foundation Catalina
-MAFM GeeBee?
-Walt Bowe Bearcat
-P-51 Mustang ( ex Shangri La at Sywell)
-Spitfire T.IX MH367
-Yak-7 in New Zealand

As always, please add what you think!

Ex-N7YK is now registered ZK-YKB (as a Yak-11) and had first engine runs this week at Omaka.
www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=15040205417 ... 0132791111
Aiming for Wanaka.

[bdk]

...Speaking of Hellcats, I have to imagine that the Yanks' bird will finally see air under its wings in the coming year as well. I imagine chances are slim but maybe their Helldiver too. And how about the Yanks' P-47 and or P-51A, either of those have any chance of completion?

Hellcat first flight should be imminent. P-51A should be at the top of the queue after that (for fighters).

Last edited by bdk on Tue Mar 31, 2026 11:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bdk]

- RT Dickson's F-86 Sabre

Not sure this is still in Chino and don't know who has taken over the restoration. It was carted away about a month ago.

[old iron]

I have to hope that the Flak Bait will be assembled by the end of the year. This is a "conservation" rather than restoration to retain all the original markeds, including the invasion stripes, though they are not easily visible. The fuselage is now assembled and one of the wings appears to be moved into the open for work. Many of the various smaller parts hve been moved into the restoration hangar from deeper storage.

This of course will not be a flyer, but I assume those count too on this list, especially when the 'bird is this historic.

[kalamazookid]

- RT Dickson's F-86 Sabre

Not sure this is still in Chino and don't know who has taken over the restoration. It was carted away about a month ago.

Thanks for the update! Wasn't sure if anything was still going on with this one. There was some buzz about it maybe two years ago, and then things went quiet.

[rcaf_100]

There are a few planned first flights north of the border this year, with CWHM's Avenger 35858/C-GCWG and Harvard 20213/C-FUUU slated to fly again as soon as the weather gets warmer.
The Avenger has been under restoration since arriving at Hamilton in 2009, and the Harvard has been offline since a wheels-up incident in 2016.

Down the road in Tillsonburg, CHAA's Harvard 20304/C-FBZT is also planned to fly again this year pending any last minute snags.
'304 has been under restoration since 2009, and hasn't flown since it was ferried to storage in November 1963.

[JohnB]

Nothing well known...
Last June a friend's beautiful N2S was substantially damaged on takeoff...flipping over.
His friend, a long time restorer, said "don't worry, we'll have you flying by spring".
Well, the rebuilt plane is nearing completion...