Warbird Information Exchange

No need to speculate further. The new owners have revealed themselves:
http://boschungglobal.com/messerschmitt.php

Some of the names mentioned in the article at that link are a bit cryptic, so just to help folks out.

46 Aviation of Sion, Switzerland, which will be getting a single- and the 2-seater, is the company of Emiliano del Buono, an aerobatic display pilot. Warbirds already in their collection are a Yak-9U and C-6305. http://www.46aviation.com/web/index.php

Boschung Global makes B63, an energy drink that competes with Red Bull. Relatively new entrant to the US market. It sponsors the 46 Aviation Yak along with a few other sponsors. According to the article linked to by Warbirdnerd, Boschung Global Aviation also "sells and leases aircraft and specializes in Warbirds," but I think they may have entered this business approximately yesterday. It also operates snow-related services such as municipal and airport snow clearing and de-icing.

August

Thanks for the additional information August. I haven't heard of any of these companies before.

I am happy to see that they will be restored to flight. I would have liked to have seen the words "Hispano" and "Buchon" mentioned once or twice in the description though.

So two energy drink companies with warbird collections? Looks like we have a cold (beverage) war in the works.

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So it's an energy drink and a de-icer?

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

On September 21, 2014, Hispano Buchon (HA-1112-M1L), s/n 220, N4109G, was pulled out of its hangar on at Connie Edwards' ranch for the first time since 1973.

"After a thorough servicing and pre-oiling of the engine, the <Buchon’s> Merlin engine fired up for the first time in 41 years" -46aviation.com

Check out the YouTube video of the first engine run up and landing gear check.
You can skip the fluff and go straight to the good part at 1:56:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmPw1GEpveU#t=109

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Keep your PDI centered!

In 33 years of messing about with warbirds, I have never seen anybody swing the gear with the engine running.

Woulda been a lot more entertaining video if it had jumped the jacks. Maybe next time...

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton

It happens from time to time .... a long time ago as well.


Photo courtesy of an unknown Luftwaffe photographer from the 40's.


Photo courtesy of another unknown Luftwaffe photographer from the 40's.

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

Must be a Messershmitt thing. Thanks, Mark.

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton

Much welcome Rob, but now I'm thinking would the gear only retract when the engine was running? Not a 109 expert (or any other warbird for that matter)

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“With bottomless pockets...anything is possible”

I was hoping you would come back with a picture of a Mustang running on jacks!

Usually, you use a hydraulic cart, or "mule", in order to test the retractible landing gear. It is a cart with an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump. You tap into the system to provide pressure without running the engine. Same pump works with Cessna's or Mustangs, so most FBO's have them.

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Rob C

Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. “

– Michael Crichton

In the moving Battle Hymn, they lifted a Mustang with a crane and ran it with the gear up to do the rocket firing scenes...

You have to admit, Connie had style.

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Keep your PDI centered!

I wouldn't consider it entertaining, but it certainly was unusual. Never seen that in my 20+ years of fixing airplanes.

Kinda made my skin crawl, seeing the engine running, the main tires only an inch off the ground, the entire weight supported by two thin jacks under the fuselage, and then watching the gear retract asymmetrically. I wonder if someone inadvertantly leaning on a wingtip could have dumped it on the ground.

I repaired a Cessna 210 that fell off jacks. The hidden damage was extensive.

It does not seem anybody of the guys in any of the two photos is excited or fearful at all. Even as the 1. is made under winterly conditions, jacks on snow (maybe even ice underneath). So it does not seem a very unnormal or extremely out of the ordinary way of doing things. On the other hand it was during war, maybe they were just taking greater risks in order to get things done quickly.

Michael

I thought there was only six...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Wilson Connie Edwards Ranch

Does anyone have the IDs on the other three? I am guessing that the total 9 is a mis-report and that it is actually only six.

Does anyone know how the airframes are being distributed between these two companies?...
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - 46 Aviation
Aerial Visuals - Location Dossier - Boschung Global

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.