Warbird Digest

Home
Warbird Digest

-- .
(433)

09/10/2025

Fall activity at the Huntington, Indiana Airport with Vintage Flying Machines
As the airshow season winds-down, things have been busier than ever with Vintage Flying Machines (VFM), with quite a bit of activity at the Huntington Airport, in Huntington, Indiana.
A few days ago, VFM’s Chief Pilot, Job Savage, was checked-out in an Epsilon TB-30 French training aircraft by Luc Zipkin, of Goodspeed Aviation, Middletown, CT. The aircraft, registered N599GR, is ex-French Air Force Serial No. 152, and Savage was heard to say he enjoyed sampling it very much, but one will not be joining the collection, however. As Zipkin neared Huntington, Savage launched in the VFM Curtiss P-40N-1-CU, N740PN, ex-USAAF Serial No. 42-104827, ex-RAAF A29-414 to intercept, and es**rt him in. Quite the reception! The opportunity for a checkout in the TB-30 presented itself as Zipkin had travelled from Connecticut to Indiana with it in order to accompany Savage to Wisconsin the next day to pick up an aircraft which WOULD BE joining the VFM collection.
Savage and Zipkin departed Huntington early the next morning it Fairchild PT-26A Cornell NC58894, ex-RCAF Serial No. FT737/14576 and headed up to Wisconsin in order to collect New Standard D-25 NC9119, Serial No. 143. Both aircraft made the return flight back to Huntington that afternoon, with Savage flying the new addition, and Zipkin the Cornell. A few days later a formation flight took place with Savage flying the “new” New Standard with Bill Finney of nearby Muncie, IN, in his Cessna L-19, N5190G, U.S. Army Serial No. 51-12138, on what was a beautiful Fall late afternoon.
There are some exciting things happening with the VFM collection, as it expands and morphs into Tim Savage’s vision. We hope to bring you further reports on this relatively new collection’s activities soon!

02/10/2025

WD – All change at Duxford (20250910)

A photo report by George J Land

Warbirds are constantly changing hands, which for a warbird or heritage aviation fan is a wonderful situation as we get to see fresh aircraft to admire and watch.

On a recent visit to IWM Duxford we noticed two that will be changing owners and departing to new homes and third that had arrived and was in the process of a deep inspection, plus a very exciting restoration that is show amazing craftsman’s ship and promises to be stunning when complete.

The first is P-51D Mustang Serial No. 44-79235 G-SIJJ “Tall in the Saddle” (Tuskegee scheme) and had arrived at Duxford the day before our visit from its long-term base with Hangar 11 at North Weald into the care of the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCO) to look after for its new private owner who had sold his previous P-51D Mustang G-BIXL “Miss Helen“ last year.

The second is the Curtiss P-36C Hawk 38-210 which now has its fuselage mounted on a substantial transport frame ready to be shipped to Walt Bowe’s Ala Doble Flying Collection in California. The P-36C Hawk was a long-time favourite based and owned by The Fighter Collection at Duxford and will be missed by the visitors to the TFC’s Hangar 2 and at airshows.

Replacing the P-36C will be a new arrival at the TFC Hanger, Westland Lysander lllA V9723 MA-D, which arrived this year from Belgium
and is currently under a deep in-depth inspection. Hopefully it will eventually fly.

Fortunately on the same day, Stearman PT17 (A75N1) G-EDMK a long-term restoration for a private owner which is being carried out by ARCO made a short appearance outside Hangar 2 North. This is an amazing project, with an unusual Townend Cowl showing superb craftsman’s ship. We are longing to see the finished aircraft when it finally appears in the next year or so

As usual with IWM Duxford there was also plenty of action from the private owners based there with an Engine run for the TFC’s Curtiss P-40C Warhawk Serial No. 41-13357, a practice display by Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 V7497 SD-X G-HRLI and a fly-by from Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 (L.F.lXc) ML407 OU-V flying from Sywell.

-36C hawk

26/09/2025

2025 Waco Fly In, Troy, Ohio

Photo report by James Church

Over the weekend of September 19-21, the Waco Education Center & Air Museum in Troy, Ohio hosted its annual Waco fly in. Warbird Digest attended on Saturday, the 20th, and this report is the result. Those who made the journey to Troy were blessed with perfect weather conditions, and a great selection of aircraft, mostly Wacos, though numerous other historic types were also in attendance.

The alphabet soup that is Waco aircraft designations is confusing at best. We’ll readily admit, being warbird aficionados, we can’t tell our ASOs from a hole in the ground! We still love them, however, as their classic lines, no matter the model, make a beautiful sight as they carve through the skies!

22/09/2025

Duxford 2025 Battle of Britain September Air Show - Friday

Report Two, the Aircraft Restoration Company’s “Big Wing” (ARCo Big Wing)

Report and Images by George J Land

One of the special features prior to most big shows held at IWM Duxford is the ARCo “Big Wing,“ orchestrated by the crew at ARCo where they assemble a collection of different types of fighters that they operate or look after.

It is usually between ten and twelve which start off with a mass take off before assembling and forming up into flight before returning above the airfield, doing a couple of flypasts in formation before breaking going into the classic Duxford figure of eight tail chase. This show’s “Big Wing” display certainly did not disappoint in the least!

This shows big wing was led by the IWM’s own Spitfire Mk.1, and comprised of

Spitfire Mk.1 N3200 QV
Spitfire Mk.9.Tr PT462 as Mk.1 QV-K
Spitfire Mk.9.Tr PV202-JW
Spitfire P.R.lX PL983-L
Spitfire MK.XVlE RW386-NG-D
NAA P-51D Mustang 405 Miss Rebel
Hurricane Mk.1 R4118 UP-W
Hurricane Mk.ll as Hurribomber BE505 XP-L Pegs
Hurricane Mk.Xll RCAF 5711 as Mk1 P3935 Port -WX-D P2954 Starboard WX-E
Hispano Buchon /Messerschmitt Yellow 10+-

The Next report will look at the U.K based Warbirds

Aerial Collective

15/09/2025

Marion Fly In – Cruise In, Marion, Indiana August 30, 2025 final photo report – The Antique/Classics and Vintage Aircraft

Photo Report by James Church

In this, the third and final of our reports from the Marion, Indiana Fly In – Cruise In, Warbird Digest brings you coverage of the many Antique Classic and Vintage aircraft which are always a staple feature of this annual event. As usual, a large number took part, providing many photo opportunities throughout the day. We hope you enjoy posts such as these, and fear not, our Warbird content will continue shortly!

09/09/2025

Duxford 2025 Battle of Britain September Air Show (Friday Arrivals and Practice)

Report One, the Overseas visitors.

Report and Images by George J Land

Unfortunately, this year we were not able to attend the actual show but had the opportunity to attend for the pre-event Friday. Again as with most large shows at Duxford, there was a good selection of visiting aircraft from both the U.K. and overseas not normally seen on a regular basis at Duxford; this the first report concentrates on aircraft from overseas. There was representation from:

Belgium - CAC Boomerang CA-13 Mk.ll A46-139 (Replica) and Yakovlev Yak-3UPW and Force Aerienne Belge NH Industries NH.90-NFH Caiman.

Czech Republic - Hawker Hurricane NN-D in the livery of No.310th (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF.

France - North American Aviation/Canadair F-86E / CL-13B-Mk6 Sabre FU-675.

Norway – Supermarine Vickers Spitfire L.F.XVIe NG-D No.604 Squadron RAF and North American P-51D-10-NT Mustang conv to P-51D T.Mk.2 Mustang 405 “Miss Rebel.”

USA – B-26 Douglas B-26 Invader BC-313-A

The Next report will look at the U.K.-based Warbirds

-26 Invader

07/09/2025

Marion, Indiana Fly In – Cruise In Part Two

Photo Report by James Church

Continuing our coverage from the Marion Fly In – Cruise In held in Marion, Indiana on August 30th, we bring you a further selection of images of the warbirds which took part. Our next and final report will highlight some of the Vintage and Antique/Classics types that were also present.

-6

01/09/2025

2025 Marion Indiana Fly In - Cruise In

Photo report by James Church

One of our favorite events to attend each year is the Marion Indiana Fly In – Cruise In. A pancake breakfast is available for attendees for a nominal fee, and entry is free for the event itself, which as the name implies, includes aircraft and ground vehicles, including antique and classic cars and vintage tractors. This year’s Fly In – Cruise In took place on Saturday, August 30th and 2025 marks the event’s thirty-forth anniversary.

A large selection of interesting aircraft were on-hand this year, as the weather promised to be perfect, and Mother Nature did not disappoint! In addition to many General Aviation aircraft, there were quite a few antique/classic and vintage aircraft, including a number of Pipers, Aeroncas, Ercoupes, Stinsons, Wacos, and Cessnas (among others), there was also a very good turn-out of warbirds.

This first report will show a sampling of the warbirds in attendance, while future posts will include still more warbirds, as well as some of the vintage and antique classics which we hope you will enjoy seeing. We here at Warbird Digest find these smaller, laid-back events very appealing, and the photographic opportunities cannot be beat!

If you have a favorite small, local aviation event that you enjoy attending, please tell us about them, and post any images you might want to share from them, in the comments section below.

-6
-5

31/08/2025

De Haviland D.H100 Vampire FB.52 LN-DHY at Imperial War Museum Duxford

A short report from George J Land

The vintage aviation enthusiasts in the U.K. are indeed very fortunate, for not only does the U.K. have an amazing collection of diverse warbirds that fly regularly for the owners own pleasure but also often perform at the many airshows that take place across the country throughout the year.

Add to this the many visiting warbirds from mainland Europe and aircraft transiting through, but also a constant steam of visitors from the U.S.a. (Check out some of the recent posts on the Warbird Digest face book page)

One such very welcome visitor based at IWM Duxford at this time is the Norwegian Historical Squadron De Haviland D.H100 Vampire FB.52 LN-DHY. This weekend alone it attended and displayed at two airshows. On Saturday it was at Shuttleworth and then Sunday it flew to Southport to do the show being held there.

The Norwegian Historical Squadron regularly change the scheme of the aircraft, and this year the Vampire, which was built in Switzerland in 1952 as s/n 705 - J1196 for the Swiss Air Force, this year is sporting the Code WA123 with the RAF roundels and the colours of No.3 Squadron RAF on the port side and No.72 Squadron on the starboard side.

We were very fortunate today to be at the IWM Duxford to see LN-DHY depart for Southport.

Havilland
Havilland Vampire
# Norwegian Historical Squadron

25/08/2025

Two World War Two Icons from either side of the Atlantic arrive at IWM Duxford from Norway.

A report from George J Land

On a day when you go to Duxford Airfield to see some of the based aircraft depart and return from a local airshow, it is a very pleasant surprise to hear that a couple of the most Iconic World War Two Fighters from either side of the Atlantic are due that day in the early evening. Based in Norway they are: “Biltema Nordic Services“ North American P-51D Mustang P-51D-10-NT Mustang converted by Cavalier to P-51D T.Mk.2 Mustang II, and Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire L.F.XVIe.

The P-51D Mustang 44-10753A, LN-BMU last served operationally with the El Salvador AF as FAS 405 before returning to the USA in 1974 as N31FF 44-10753. After being with a number of U.S. owners. It finally was sold in 2006 to Biltema Co in Sweden as SE-BIL until 2020 when it was registered as LN-BMU by Biltema Nordic Services based in Stavenger Norway. It wears the distinctive paint scheme worn by Mustangs serving with the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS), attached to the 23rd Fighter Group (FG), which was part of the 14th Air Force, operating in the China-Burma-India Theater (CBI) during the later stages of World War Two. In 2023 it received a slightly different paint scheme with the red trim being replaced by yellow trim and called “Miss Rebel.”

The second and no less important aircraft is the Supermarine Vickers Armstrong Spitfire L.F.XVIe RW386 LN-BSP which was built at Castle Bromwich in 1945 and issued to No.604 Sqdn RAF as NG-D the code she still carries today, In 1949 she moved to 6944M RAF Technical College and later as a RAF Gate Guard as RAK-A. Before being sold into civilian ownership as G-BXVI with restoration beginning in 1992 returning to Airworthy condition in 2007 In the scheme of No.604 Sqdn., then sold very soon after and exported to Biltema Co in Sweden as SE-BIR. Finally, in 2020 it moved to Stavenger Norway with Biltema Nordic Services, as LN-BSP. So this is a very welcome and rare aircraft not seen in the U.K since returning to flight in 2007.

24/08/2025

Douglas B-26B-50-DL USAF Serial No. 44-34313 (N4313)
“Sweet Eloise II“
A report from George J land

With over 2,500 Douglas A-26 Invaders being built, it is believed that less than 100 survive today in differing conditions varying from airworthy, static display, those being restored or are simply in storage, a few of which are derelict. Of these, it is estimated that less than 20 are in an airworthy condition and capable of flying.
So Europe, therefor, is very fortunate that Polish entrepreneur and warbird enthusiast Marcin Kubrak acquired Douglas B-26B-50-DL, USAF Serial No 44-34313 (N4313), “Sweet Eloise II." This stunning aircraft is currently in the (authentic for this particular airframe) scheme of Sqd/Cmdr. Charles H. Howe, 730th Bomb Squadron, 452nd Bomb Wing, 5th AF, Korea, will be based in Poland and is expected to participate in displays in mainland Europe and the U.K.

Warbird Digest was fortunate to be on-hand when B-26B "Sweet Eloise II" arrived in the U.K. at the IWM Duxford on Tuesday the 19th of August to carry out a few displays in the U.K. over the next week or so including Little Gransden and Duxford. Unexpectedly, the enthusiasts on-hand were also treated to a full and excellent practice display.

B-26B "Sweet Eloise II" has an interesting history. Delivered from Douglas to the USAAF as an A-26B-50-DL with Serial No 44-34313 she was placed straight into Storage until the start of the Korean War. In 1948, the now USAF had changed the designation of the Invader from A-26 to B-26.
The Invader was re-activated by the USAF (as a B-26) and issued to the 730thBomb Squadron of the 452nd Bomb wing attached to the 5th USAF in Japan and Korea. Initially based at Itazuka AB Japan, and then K-9 Pusan East AB it saw action in support of ground troops also performing armed reconnaissance as well as night intruder and interdiction missions. B-26 "Sweet Eloise II" was damaged by Anti-Aircraft fire in December 1951 and recovered to K-46 Hoengseong AB Korea.

After being returned to the U.S., the Invader was sold into civilian ownership as surplus to requirements 1957. In civilian life, the aircraft was converted into a firebomber and was based with operators in Idaho and Oregon until 1974, when Conair purchased it and gave the Invader the designation "Tanker 23," further employing it on firebomber duties until 1987.

From 1990 to 1999 the B-26 was with the Canadian Warplane Heritage flying as a French AF Invader operating in Indochina, returning to the U.S. in 2011 as N119DR later to be registered as N4313, which it still carries today.
Finally acquired by Marcin Kubrak and restored before being ferried to Europe in 2025, in her authentic Korean War colours as "Sweet Eloise II."

A-26
B-26
Eloise ll

22/08/2025

Fagen Fighters WWII Museum SB2C-5 Helldiver

Report and photos by James Church

The magnificent, award-winning Fagen Fighters WWII Museum Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver restoration was one of the real highlights of the recent, highly-anticipated “Victory at Sea; Celebrating 250 Years of the United States Navy and the Marine Corps, and the 80th Anniversary of the Victory Over Japan in World War Two” event, held at their Granite Falls, Minnesota location on Saturday, August 16th. Pilot Ray Fowler displayed the aircraft in flight to a very appreciative audience, many of whom had traveled great distances to attend this perhaps once-in-a-
lifetime event.

BuNo 83393 was acquired as a project by Fagen Fighters in 2006, but restoration was held up while other aircraft ahead of it being restored took precedence. The aircraft had been involved in a serious, fatal accident while in U.S. Navy service, having stalled (due to unknown circumstances) shortly after taking off on a flight in Dahlgren, Virginia, on July 24, 1945 while conducting torpedo tests. A number of theories were bandied about at the time as to what caused the accident, but the truth is we will never know for sure.

The aircraft was seen to come down in a heavily wooded area, about eight miles from the airport. Pilot Lt.(j.g.) Mark Rancourt Gilbert perished in the accident, while RM3 (Radioman, 3rd Class) Edward J. Pierce miraculously managed to survive, only suffering a broken leg. It was remarkable that anyone had survived, given that the wreckage of the Helldiver was found to be in a number of pieces strewn on the ground, being nearly completely destroyed in the process. This incident saw the Helldiver stricken from Navy records.

The forlorn wreckage would remain in-situ for the next forty-eight years. It was subsequently recovered in 1993 and used as a parts source for the restoration of the National Air & Space Museum’s example (BuNo 83479). In 1994, it was acquired by Kevin Smith, in trade for items the NA&SM needed for several projects it was undertaking at the time. He then initiated the aircraft’s restoration shortly afterwards, and collected a host of parts for the project, many of which were N.O.S. (New Old Stock) items. Following ten years working on it and collecting parts, Smith passed the project on to Fagen Fighters in 2006.

Following a 17 year restoration effort by the skilled craftsmen at Fagen Fighters, led by Brandon Deuel, which also saw the assistance of several contractors that were also involved, the Helldiver finally flew again in the hands of CAF (Commemorative Air Force) Helldiver pilot Ed Vesely on July 24, 2024. This was just in time for it to attend that year’s EAA AirVenture, held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Fagen Fighters team were rewarded with an “EAA Phoenix” award, as well as the “Best Bomber” award, along with both a “Silver Wrench Award” and a coveted “Gold Wrench Award” for their efforts.

There are only an estimated eight complete Curtiss SB2C Helldivers in existence, and at the time, this became only the second airworthy example of the type (a third is now also flying, while a fourth is alsocurrently underway). Registered N48HD, the Helldiver restoration was a magnificent triumph, and it is a wonderful asset for the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum. Warbird Digest was on-hand for this amazing event, which saw a large number of both World War Two and Post-War Navy and Marine aircraft in attendance, and we will be brining you further coverage, along with our continued coverage from EAA AirVenture. Stay tuned!

Address

Telephone

+12604403144

Website

http://www.warbirddigest.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Warbird Digest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Warbird Digest:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Country:

City:

Vintage Aviation Publications

We provide you the highest quality inside view into the operation and restoration of ex-military aircraft through in-depth stories and unmatched photography. At Warbird Digest we believe in bringing our readers the very best in-depth coverage of ex-military aircraft in civilian hands. We work only with the very best researchers, writers and photographers in the industry.

The goal of Warbirds News is to provide fresh daily news content for a large community of aviation fans who visit our pages regularly. We encourage Warbird operators, private restoration organizations and public aviation museums to send us news, announcements, press releases or details about upcoming events that our staff can publish on the site.

We publish Warbird Digest magazine and Warbirds.news.com