Warbird Information Exchange

Hello,

I am trying to update my Zero survivors list. Can anyone confirm the IDs/current owners of David Price's (ex-Mof) Zeros? One went to Flying Heritage. Another should still be owned by him and the last one is owned a businessman, I believe.

Thanks,

Ron

CAF?

This threw me abit because you are talking about the ex-Museum of FLYING Zeros.

Here are the three that are owned by the FHC...

Model: A6M-3
C/N: 3852
C/R: N3852, A6M3 ZERO, 3852
Owner: Vulcan Warbirds Inc.
History: A6M3 3852 Japanese AF, one of three hulks recovered from Babo Island in Indonesia, to Museum of Flying (1991), arrived at Museum of Flying (1991/6), shipped to Russia for restoration to flying status (1994), arrived at Duxford fully restored and dismantled (1997/4), shipped to Chino CA for restoration completion with a P&W R1830 (1998), N385HF (1998/7/28 ), N3852 (1998/12), to Flying Heritage Collection with restoration continuing in Chino CA (2001/4/5)

Model: A6M-5-52
C/N: 4400
C/R: N652Z, A6M5-52, 4400
Owner: Vulcan Warbirds Inc.
History: A6M5-52 4400 Japanese AF, captured at Truk, shipped to US with markings "HK-102" (1944), sold for scrap with wings cut off, to Ed Maloney (circa 1950), shipped to Japan for display (1980/2), returned to Planes of Fame Air Museum (1980/5), static restoration at Chino, to Vulcan Warbirds Inc. / N652Z (2001/10)

Model: A6M-5-52
C/N: 1303
C/R: N1303, A6M5-52, 1303
Owner: Vulcan Warbirds Inc.
History: A6M5-52 1303 Japanese AF, one of three hulks recovered from Babo Island in Indonesia, to Museum of Flying (1991), arrived at Museum of Flying (1991/6), shipped to Russia for flying restoration (1994), to Vulcan Warbirds / N1303 (2001/8 )

These are from my notes which are heavily based on WD4. The first and second airframe had something to do with the Museum of Flying.

Mike

_________________
Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
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Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
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Thanks very much. Good information! I appreciate the help.

Ron

To my knowledge, there are three "new from Russia" Zeros associated with David Price/Museum of Flying and Allen Preston/Flight Magic:

3869 NX712Z currently leased from David Price by Southern CA Wing CAF and flying from their base at Camarillo. Registered to Liberty Aero, Santa Monica. Airworthy certificate issued 24 March 1998.

3858 N553TT registered to LGT Aviation, Los Angeles. Airworthy certificate issued 17 February 2000.

3852 N3852 being "restored" at Chino for Paul Allen's Flying Heritage Collection.

The first two were flown in Hawaii along with the Planes of Fame Zero for the filming of the 2001 movie "Pearl Harbor". N553TT dropped out of sight after that. Anyone know where this aircraft is stored now? Is LGT associated with Flight Magic or David Price?

As far as I know, 1303 N1303 that's with FHC came via the junk dealer in Atlanta where it sat outside for many, many years before being bought by Don Whittington. (Whittington is also listed as having 5350 but is this really 1303 or vice versa?) Anyway, I don't think it was one of the 3 hulks recovered from Balbo Island, Indonesia that were restored in Russia for Flight Magic.

Dennis

Hello:

I can clear this up.



As far as I know, N553TT is based at Mojave airport.

The Whittington Zero is possibly with FHC, and it was captured by US during WW2. After that it had a gear collapse during a Navy airshow after WW2. It changed ownership over the years and wound up w/Whittington.

Is this also the one they used to have at NAS Willow Grove, which was at one time used as a gimmick at an open day, where people paid a nickel to take a whack at it with a sledge hammer? I do believe that the airframe survived.

Cheers,
Richard

Maybe one is still in Russia? I think that Dave M. might have the answer.

Yes one is still in Russia

Dave