All, latest at the printers so should be posted within the next few weeks. Major articles as follows:
SOPWITH CAMEL SURVIVORS With the Vintage Aviator Limited’s Camel featured in our previous issue we now take a look at the further seven largely original Camels known to survive of the approximately 5,700 built. The history of each is described and in several cases complemented by historic photos of the aircraft.
To Be PERFECTLY FRANKIt was only three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor that the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force advised Nakajima of its plans for a new fighter. It was to be powered by the new Homare Ha 45 compact radial engine being developed by the company. This article delves into the heavy fighter’s troubled development, its deployment to China and intense combat over the Philippines. The sole known survivor is the main focus, this combat veteran captured and shipped to the US for testing. Surviving the scrap man, the fighter was fortunate to come into the care of Ed Maloney and was returned to flight and eventually its homeland. Here it fell into some disrepair but is now recognised as a cultural treasure and is well cared for.
HOME COMING QUEEN - THE RETURN OF THE ONE THAT GOT AWAYAlthough Spitfire HF Mk.VIII, MV154, had an uneventful career, spending its life in storage and later as an instructional aircraft, it has a great connection to Australia. In a twist of fate, 44 years after being spirited out of the country, the fighter returned and flew in Australian skies for the first time ever in October, 2024. Here we provide an overview of the MK.VIII, take a look at the history of this particular Spitfire and tell a little about Australian ace Clive ‘Killer’ Caldwell, his Spitfires colours faithfully reproduced on MV154. Gavin Conroy provides some spectacular air to air images.
OUR LAST MYSTERY AIRCRAFT WAS A...WESTLAND WAPITIDesigned and developed for general purpose work the Westland Wapiti provided an aeroplane suitable for bombing, reconnaissance, photography, army cooperation and advanced training. This no frills aircraft served in all these roles with distinction. But it is perhaps best known for its work as the Empire’s ‘policeman.’ In this article we take a look at the types’ development and its operational history, particularly with the British and Indian Air Force which patrolled the Middle East and the Northwest Frontier in trying conditions. Today the surviving example in India is undergoing a makeover and a little known project is coming together in Australia.
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