LATEST CLASSIC WINGS

[DaveM2]

All

After much delay due to our heavy involvement with the upcoming Easter Classic Fighters air show here at Omaka (http://www.classicfighters.co.nz/)
I am relieved to advise the next issue is about to be posted. Apologies for the delay!


Main Features are:


FINLAND’S HISTORIC HURRICANE - THE CONSERVATION

In the first part of this article we looked at the history of this aircraft and its importance to Finland and the wider historic aviation community. In the final instalment we take a look at the work undertaken to ensure this fighter survives and is able to educate future generations about Finland’s World War Two history. The team explain the conservation process in detail, the fighter featuring a number of home grown modifications, such as the internal fitting of skis. Now completed the crew have little time to admire their handiwork and are soon to turn their attention to reconstructing a rare indigenous fighter.

MOSQUITO KA 114 – THE LONG ROAD

We reported in our previous issue on the great and well deserved fanfare that surrounded the flight of Mosquito KA 114 on 27th September 2012. On that overcast day at a small airfield just south of Auckland City, New Zealand a powerful, but eternally elegant ‘twin’ lifted off the Ardmore tarmac. This was the culmination of an epic journey which was commissioned by Jerry Yagen and ‘actioned’ by master craftsmen Glyn Powell and thereafter a dedicated AvSpecs team. It has seen one of the greats of wartime aviation return to the air. In this article Jerry Vernon examines the history of KA 114 and we take a look at some of the challenges which were faced on this epic journey. Also remembered is a special personality, who can only be described as enjoying a spiritual experience!

NEW SPIT ON THE BLOCK!

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight added a sixth Spitfire to its flying inventory when the relatively rare low-back, bubble-canopy, clipped-wing Mk. LF. XVIe, TE311, made its first flight at their base at RAF Coningsby in October 2012, 58 years since its last flight. TE311 is a most welcome addition to the display fleet and is of significant historical importance to the BBMF, as this was the marque of Spitfire that performed the very first Battle of Britain flypast by the Flight way back in 1957. Keith Wilson describes the fighter’s return to flight.

TACHIKAWA Ki-54 HICKORY

Our last Mystery Aircraft featured Imperial Japan’s multi purpose trainer, and one which would prove to be one of the most successful Japanese aircraft of the war. After taking a look at the type’s development and history we concentrate on the few survivors, particularly the example which has recently joined the ranks following recovery from Towada Lake in September 2012.

NEWS EXTRA- BEIJING EXHIBITION

As part of the bumper news edition we take a bit of a wander around the new Beijing Air & Space Museum which opened in October 2012. A number of rare aircraft are finally getting some much needed TLC!

[Pat Carry]

Looking forward to my issue, Dave. Thanks for the preview.

[bdk]

Can't wait!

[Sopwith]

Good,can't wait.

[Sopwith]

Just wondered has anyone's arrived yet?

[Pat Carry]

Mine arrived yesterday. A great issue Dave. Love the coverage from the NASM and from the plane exhibit in China. Keep up te good work!

[DaveM2]

Just wondered has anyone's arrived yet?

Hopefully within the next day or so, I guess the Easter break slowed things down a bit. If you haven't received it by the end of the week let me know and I will send a replacement, as they occasionally go AWOL in the post.

Dave

[Sopwith]

Thanks Dave

[paulmcmillan]

Has anyone received this yet in the UK? Thanks Paul

[BenG]

Not received in France Paul.

[Mike]

Has anyone received this yet in the UK? Thanks Paul

Nope!

[DaveM2]

Guys

Not sure what is going on with this-seems no one in UK/Europe has received their issues to date. I have confirmed with those who lodge the subscription post in Christchurch that the issues went to the Post Office for mailing on 26th March, so even allowing for the Easter break they should have been delivered by now. I will make enquiries with NZ Post, but once they go off shore we have no way of tracking where they are.
I think if none of you have received your issue by the weekend, PM me and I will send off another.
Meantime, I will try and get to the bottom of this mystery

Dave

[Zac Yates]

Mine hasn't arrived but I'm not 100% sure I still have a sub...or have passed on my new address as of January...BUT did see copies for sale at Auckland International today!

[DaveM2]

I am in the process of mailing out replacements. If you haven't got yours send me a PM. Just your name and town/city, as I will look up the full address on the data base.
No clue as to why so many magazines have not been delivered. Possibly the downsizing of the postal service worldwide means just two people sorting mail, instead of the required 50!

If your original copy does eventually arrive perhaps pass it on to an interested friend, and it would be great if you could also let me know.

cheers
Dave

p.s. Zac- hard to keep up with your moves, but I have a feeling your sub expired with the previous issue.

[Invader26]

arrived....great!