Warbirds in non mainstream countries?
Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:12 pm
Ok, the world's countires that are full of flyable warbirds are few and far between.
Canada, UK, USA, Australlia, and NZ. Anyone correct me if im wrong. but i believe that these are the only countries?
That's what brings me to my question: How many warbirds and which ones are flying in other various countries and regions like South Africa, the Middle East and so forth?
Appreciate the reply!
Canada, UK, USA, Australlia, and NZ. Anyone correct me if im wrong. but i believe that these are the only countries?
That's what brings me to my question: How many warbirds and which ones are flying in other various countries and regions like South Africa, the Middle East and so forth?
Appreciate the reply!
Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:27 pm
I think you may have to define "full". These countries, to name just a few, also have a warbird community. I am not sure if they constitute being "full", but Canada isn't exactly teeming with flyable warbirds either; maybe if you looked at it per capita....
Switzerland
Italy
Germany
France
Austria
In fact, it may be hard to find any country that does not have at least one or two Harvards flying around.
greg v.
Switzerland
Italy
Germany
France
Austria
In fact, it may be hard to find any country that does not have at least one or two Harvards flying around.
greg v.
Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:27 pm
Many in Europe and South Africa
Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:32 pm
gregv, no your right
What i meant is that, certain countries have alot more flyable warbirds than others. Canada does have a select number of flyable aircraft, but they are a signifciant amount, compared to other places in the world.
What i meant is that, certain countries have alot more flyable warbirds than others. Canada does have a select number of flyable aircraft, but they are a signifciant amount, compared to other places in the world.
Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:18 pm
I think you would want to add France to your list as having quite a few warbirds and other historics flying; about as many as Canada, anyway, or more.
In discussing this topic remember that some of these countries don't have much in the way of private civil aviation generally. The countries on your original list are by far the most liberal with respect to non-commercial aviation. (Hey bdk, there's something I like about the U.S.!)
Case in point, Japan. I've always been saddened that there's no warbird movement there. In the 1980s, they had the money, the airframes were available, and judging by the models and books they put out, the enthusiasm in WWII/aviation history was there for major restoring and collecting. We could have seen Zekes, Ki-61s, who knows what; and some of them likely would have found their way abroad. It seems the barriers to recreational and exhibition flying over there were just too high for any kind of movement to take root.
August
In discussing this topic remember that some of these countries don't have much in the way of private civil aviation generally. The countries on your original list are by far the most liberal with respect to non-commercial aviation. (Hey bdk, there's something I like about the U.S.!)
Case in point, Japan. I've always been saddened that there's no warbird movement there. In the 1980s, they had the money, the airframes were available, and judging by the models and books they put out, the enthusiasm in WWII/aviation history was there for major restoring and collecting. We could have seen Zekes, Ki-61s, who knows what; and some of them likely would have found their way abroad. It seems the barriers to recreational and exhibition flying over there were just too high for any kind of movement to take root.
August
Mon Feb 05, 2007 10:43 pm
Hooray! Common ground!!!!k5083 wrote:The countries on your original list are by far the most liberal with respect to non-commercial aviation. (Hey bdk, there's something I like about the U.S.!)
Planes of Fame has taken their Zero there for more than one tour (and a Mustang too I think at least once). Civil aviation is pretty much not allowed I understand, but there was a group flying ultralights kind of under the radar over there.k5083 wrote:It seems the barriers to recreational and exhibition flying over there were just too high for any kind of movement to take root.
I think a large part of Japan has moved to Southern California to take flight training anyhow, but maybe that is a story for another time.
As you say it is probably a shame because of the number of enthusiasts over there. They also have a tradition of some very good engineers (aerospace and otherwise).
Tue Feb 06, 2007 7:17 am
good point about japan...... they really blew the chance at the opportunity.
Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:58 am
Maybe theres still a chance?
Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:00 am
Maybe theres still a chance in Japan? and yes i would add France to that list.
Tue Feb 06, 2007 11:21 am
Planes of Fame (then the Air Museum) first took its Ki-84 to fly in Japan in 1973. (Yes kids, a Hayate flying with its original engine, the last one existing anywhere.) A Japanese guy bought it and let it decay to worse than it was before Maloney even started restoring it. It is still there, now patched up enough to make an okay static display, but far from airworthy and very few people got to see it fly.
When POF first completed their Zero they took it to Japan for a similar tour which caused great concern that maybe Japan was The Place Warbirds Go To Die. Luckily it came back, and ever since, has been delighting us ever since the way we only wish the Hayate would have. Then they took it over again with the P-51D, in 1995.
Could there still be a chance for Japan? I have to doubt it. The trend in general aviation everywhere is getting more restricted, not less, what with financial/regulatory pressure and "terrism" hysteria. (See the thread on GWB's new budget.) The economy there is not what it was in the 80s. I'm afraid that if Japanese collectors did get into the scene now, it might just be to buy up what already exists, rather than tool up to restore anything new. But I'd love to be wrong.
August
When POF first completed their Zero they took it to Japan for a similar tour which caused great concern that maybe Japan was The Place Warbirds Go To Die. Luckily it came back, and ever since, has been delighting us ever since the way we only wish the Hayate would have. Then they took it over again with the P-51D, in 1995.
Could there still be a chance for Japan? I have to doubt it. The trend in general aviation everywhere is getting more restricted, not less, what with financial/regulatory pressure and "terrism" hysteria. (See the thread on GWB's new budget.) The economy there is not what it was in the 80s. I'm afraid that if Japanese collectors did get into the scene now, it might just be to buy up what already exists, rather than tool up to restore anything new. But I'd love to be wrong.
August
Tue Feb 06, 2007 12:01 pm
Japan is difficult to fly GA in, you have to have a flight plan for anything over 5nm from the airport and there are few airports in the country. Also, there is a lack of experienced warbird pilots over there. The Skytypers sold their SNJ-2s to a japanese company after doing an advertising tour there in the 80s and they were not successful in getting japanese pilots checked out in them... wound up rotting for a few years before they went to auction. Pretty country though, the coastline around Hokkaido is gorgeous at 500ft abovethe water!
Jason
Jason
Tue Feb 06, 2007 6:04 pm
If I'm not mistaken general aviation is opening up in mainland China of all places... Warbirds? Probably not!
Tue Feb 06, 2007 8:44 pm
It would be nice to see countries like China, Japan, Mexico, and others start to fly there treasures that they have neglected for years. Anything is possible, though not as likely.
Lets hope!
Lets hope!