Israeli Warbirds

[zorro9]

...some happy kids with a IAF P-51 in their backyard! Unid for now. Somewhere in Israel c. 2010. Photo via AEC

[Pogmusic]

The Israelis don't have to keep reminders of war. They are STILL fighting. I look forward to the day when Israel can live in peace.

[zorro9]

A view on an IAF boneyard & a tired P-51D #39 somewhere in Israel. c. 1970s. Photo still shows some remains of the ferry Reg #. Photo via AEC.

Last edited by zorro9 on Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Stephan Wilkinson]

I've driven the length and breadth of Israel, and there are tanks and guns and airplanes everywhere, from the Golan Heights to the Sinai. They're left where they are as reminders, not because it's too much trouble to clean them away.

[SaxMan]

A view on an IAF boneyard & a tired P-51D #39 somewhere in Israel. c. 1960s. Photo still shows some remains of the ferry Reg #. Photo via AEC.

I think this pic is more recent. In the background, you can see the hulk of one of the two TBMs that were brought to Israel as spray planes. From what I recall, these planes did not become derelict until the 1980s. Since then, one of the TBMs has been restored to static, and the second one is under restoration to airworthy in Tel Aviv. The restorer was asking an unheard of 2 million for the restored one, which is clearly w-a-a-a-a-y out of the ballpark of TBM prices. Not sure if it sold or if the price came down.

This pic was likely taken at the IAF Museum, as that was where both TBMs ended up. My guess is the P-51 in the pic has been restored to static and is on display at the museum.

[Fouga23]

Yeah, I agree. Hatzerim IAF museum

[SaxMan]

A lot of the preserved IAF warbirds were through the efforts of one man: Zorik Lev flew the Mosquito, Meteor, Ouragan, Mystere, Super Mystere, Mirage and Skyhawk in IAF service and had collected a number of IAF aircraft, all of which were airworthy. His collection became the backbone of the IAF Museum. Unfortunately, he was lost in combat in the Yom Kippur War when his Skyhawk plunged into the Mediterranean after a strike on Egypt.

Ezer Weizmann first flew the "Black Spitfire" as his personal plane in 1955 when he became commander of the Ramat David Wing of the IAF and he flew it until 1977, he became Defense Minister. Weizman was also instrumental in preserving the IAF's heritage.

The third individual who contributed greatly to the IAF Museum was Jacob Terner. Terner was the Hatzerim base commander and had Lev's collection moved from Ramat David to Hatzerim, as well as tracking down playground planes, gate guards, etc., and having them moved to Hatzerim as well. The museum officially opened in 1991, with Terner at the helm.

[zorro9]

Sman:

Good day!

Tks for the info & data of the IAF Warbirds ! A few ??? for now:

Any idea if the 1st P-51 pic here with the children playing was saved? what was his IAF Ref #?

Any pics of the black Spitfire c.1955?? I recently bought at my local 50% Book Store a very fine book about early days of the IAF. What a fascinating account of their aviation history! Included in another pic of their fine flying machines. Photo via AEC.






p.s I've seen IAF P-51 with Reg #s as high as #137? or do they mean I-37?

[SaxMan]

Zorro,

IIRC, the P-51 with the kids playing on it was located in a settlement in the Sinai. The settlement was abandoned when the Sinai was returned to Egypt in 1982. To the best of my recollection, the P-51 was removed at this time as well. I do not know if it went to Hatzerim, though.

I'm not sure of the serial numbers. The IAF would change numbers frequently in its early days. The B-17s, for instance carried at least three different sets of numbers before settling on 1601, 1602 and 1603 in the 1950s. The Black Spitfire was plane #57. I may have some pics of it in pre-Black Spitfire days.

I have a copy of "Hammers: The story of 69 Squadron, Israel's Long Range Bombing Arm" by Zvi Avidror. It has some pics with the Spits and B-17s flying together. I'll take a close look at it. Zvi flew with the Royal Navy in World War II, fought as an infantryman in the 1948 war and was wounded twice, once very seriously, and then went on to join the IAF as a graduate of their first air-gunner class, and flew as a B-17 crewman until 69 was disbanded with the retirement of the Fortresses (69 later became reactivated as a Phantom squadron and then became the first F-15I - Israeli version of the Strike Eagle - squadron. I've corresponded with Zvi for close to 15 years, I can see if he has more info on the Black Spitfire.

[zorro9]

Sman:

Good day!

..one of the poss 3 IAF B-17s on its way across the pond. The Azores islands c. 1950s. I believe there is a story about this bird in Wix sometime ago. Photo via AEC.





p.s Known to have poss Caribbean/DR connections.c. 1950s

[Sea_Harrier_FA2]

Alas the pic of the P-51 is no longer viewable on here. Was it the old 73 that was shot down and force landed?

I was at Hatzerim in May 2019 and a "lump" of metal intrigued me in the store area. A much better photo than mine is here. https://flic.kr/p/ZWtLY8

A lot more research, (luck!) and matching the holes revealed it to be no less than the rear of 73. See https://flic.kr/p/4CWh9P

A pic of the port side is here https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... Forces.jpg

I can only assume the front half was used to make a static replica. Maybe s/n 53 which was in the museum. This in turn MAY have become 41 which is there now.

If anyone has info on any Israeli warbirds I am very interested.

Regards,

Bob

[Adam Kline]

That Israeli boneyard looks fantastic. Thanks for posting.