Treasure trove unveiled at Fantasy of Flight

[Chris Brame]

Great news about the P-35A - Thanks!

As I recall, Kermit's is actually an export model, and the NMUSAF traded it to him after they'd acquired a genuine P-35.

Six of one, half dozen of the other - the P-35 in the NMUSAF is an original prewar Air Corps survivor, but the P-35A Kermit has is the same type that we actually used in combat in the Philippines (although this one came from Sweden).

[David J Burke]

Not strictly true ! The Swedish export machines had different guns fitted and other detail differences . The embargoed Swedish examples had revisions done for AAF service . It was these machines that ended up in combat in the Phillipines .

[MacHarvard]

G'day all. My latest project, a collaboration with an Australian historian, involves the compilation of a comprehensive history of the members of the North American NA-16 family built under licence by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation in Australia. The photos of the yellow Wirraway trainer in the Weeks collection were a pleasant surprise, but I am led to believe that he has a second one, as well as two Boomerangs, A46-165 and A46-174. Does anyone have any further details or photographs of these projects?

Any assistance would be much appreciated.

cheers
Doug

[mrhenniger]

Interesting aircraft here. Could someone provide a list.

I don't know if this list is complete, but it is likely a good start...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Fantasy of Flight / Kermit A. Weeks

If anyone has any updates or corrections please feel free to let me know.

Mike

[MacHarvard]

Excellent! Thanks, Mike. This list certainly confirms our research. However, I would like to point out an error which lists two of the aircraft (A46-165 and A46-174) as Wirraway trainers, when, in fact, they are Boomerang fighters. As soon as I find some photos to go with your listing, I'll upload them.

Dare I ask if anyone has photos or any further details on the current state of these projects?

Doug

[Steve Nelson]

This is one of the Boomers as of last August..I don't know which one.

SN

[MacHarvard]

Great! Thanks, Steve! I'd guess that the Matthew mentioned in the personal message might be Matt Denning?

cheers
Doug

[mrhenniger]

However, I would like to point out an error which lists two of the aircraft (A46-165 and A46-174) as Wirraway trainers, when, in fact, they are Boomerang fighters.

Corrected! Thanks for the input. You would be surprised how many people don't bother to say anything when they find bad info, etc. Any photos you can add to the airframe dossiers would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Mike

[BAJ]

Here's a link to the HAG forum with some great shots of the hangar and it's contents.

http://1941hagforums.mykingairb200.com/ ... 7924#p7924

Wonderful post........ but geez cant someone quietly tell their Web Master to please spellcheck and change the word in their motto REMEBER to the more correct REMEMBER !!!

I know, I know it may seem like nit picking but the site is in memory of those who served, and I think they deserve better

[Nathan]

Well us-aircraft.com beat wix to the punch with news! We had photos on our forum of Kermits aircraft facility for weeks now. A HAG member posted photos of a visit he made very recently.

[tom d. friedman]

what ever happened to jackie cochran's p - 35??

[Ewan]

Great! Thanks, Steve! I'd guess that the Matthew mentioned in the personal message might be Matt Denning?

cheers
Doug

Must be Interesting to note the trim wheels on the Boomerang appear to be the trim wheels from the cancelled CA4 / CA11 Woomera aircraft, a number of parts from the Woomera went into later production Boomerangs, and I know Matt had picked up a number of Woomera parts from my grandad's old shed some years back.

[MacHarvard]

"...a number of parts from the Woomera went into later production Boomerangs..." Now, that's an interesting aside, Ewan! Have you got any more details or a research suggestion for this?

Doug

[BAJ]

"...a number of parts from the Woomera went into later production Boomerangs..." Now, that's an interesting aside, Ewan! Have you got any more details or a research suggestion for this?

Doug

Some more Aussie ingenuity on the Wirraway........if you look at the landing struts and main wheels you will discover they look suspiciously the same as P51 Mustang or more correct the Aussie made CA-18 Mustang.

[MacHarvard]

There's probably a good reason for that, BAJ. CAC was building Wirraways (to oversimplify it, these were licence built NAA BC-1s) by 1939 and the landing gear was well proven by the time the Mustang showed up.

Doug