Old Flypast magazine news item

[Brett]

In the July 1998 issue of Flypast magazine there is a 'stop press' announcement that the CAF had acquired a MiG 5, La-5 and Yak-9 from a Russian museum.

I haven't seen anything about this since. Did this actually happen?

Cheers,

Brett

[DaveM2]

Brett

I don't think so, there is no known surviving La-5 in any case.


Dave

The central museum of the great patriotic war in moscow has one on display. I dont know if it is authentic.
Also GERRY YAGEN has one that was recovered from the russian tundra. Pictures of it were posted here a few months ago, taken by ROBERT N. ABBOTT. The photos I saw were of the cockpit/center section of the aircraft.

[DaveM2]

The Victory Museum aircraft is a replica, Jerry has parts only.


Dave

[setter]

Hi DaveM2 and RMB

I think Dave may be able to see the La5 being rebuilt real soon somewhere close by - still being negoiated but certainly a strong rumor from the US

Regards
John P

[DaveM2]

John

I would think Pioneer would be the place for any La rebuilding, since they did a great job on the La 9.....and not only that they rebuilt Jerrys' P-40.
I spoke to Jerry about what he has from Russia as far as La5 parts go..and basically what is mentioned above is everything...a little more needed than that think ;-0

Dave

[setter]

Hi Dave

Perhaps it was wishful thinking on the part of the source but it was very convincing and they seemed to have all the facts and figures right down to the players and source of the parts etc......

Anyway time will tell

Regards
John P

[DaveM2]

John

Hope so....certainly possible that more parts have been recovered, as my Russian freind said he was off on an expedition for Jerry a few weeks back....although type mentioned wasn't Russian. Nonetheless it is often the case more than one wreck is stumbled across on the way.

Dave

In the July 1998 issue of Flypast magazine there is a 'stop press' announcement that the CAF had acquired a MiG 5, La-5 and Yak-9 from a Russian museum.

I haven't seen anything about this since. Did this actually happen?

Cheers,

Brett

Well, if I remember right it was a scam. People in Russia convinced a few wealthy Americans that they had these fighters to sell at quite reasonable prices plus an early model B-25 and other very rare aircraft (I think an A-20 was mentioned too). Excited ripples went through parts of the warbird world but no one was to announce all of this to the press since there were "delicate negotiations going on" that might fall through if word got out. I then heard that the prices were climbing rapidly as each Russian government official involved with these aircraft wanted their palms greased. Some money was paid.....and lost because nothing materialized from all of it. It all seemed too good to be true, and it was. That's what I remember.

Dennis

[Dennis Bergstrom]

Oops, forgot to log in before I posted that last reply. Dennis