New Zealand December 9th marked an historic day for aviation in Marlborough, New Zealand, with the opening to the public of the first stage of the Aviation Heritage Center. The ‘Knights of the Sky’ exhibition is stunningly presented with extensive, almost ‘living’ dioramas, which transport the visitor back to a time when acts of chivalry and bravado were played out above the horrific ‘meat grinder’ that was trench warfare. Many of the static exhibits are displayed suitably ‘worn’ and carry the stains and scars of recent operations or combat, encapsulated within period dioramas.
Greece Having refurbished the wartime ‘Leros’ hangar, and making a startling discovery in the process, it was time for the Greek Air Force Museum’s new exhibition to be presented to the public, which coincided with the Air Force Open Day and the honouring of veterans. Outside the hangar a diorama was erected depicting a Royal Hellenic Air Force Base in the desert, aircraft exhibits included the Ju 87 Stuka after its preliminary cleaning and stabilization treatment. Future plans call for a move to a new location and an attempt to get the museum’s Spitfire airborne.
Brazil
Despite having a world class Air Force Museum, Brazil has little tradition when it comes to the preservation of aeronautical history. This has been somewhat remedied with the opening of the new, privately owned facility on 11 November 2006. Known as ‘Musea Aasa De Um Sonho’ (’Wings of Dreams’) the collection comprises a current fleet of 74 aircraft of which 36 that are flyable. Future plans should see some of these take to the air, or at least being engine run and taxied for the benefit of the public.
Following on from our look at the Macchi and Fiats in the previous edition we conclude the ‘Italian Thoroughbred’ series with a look at the monoplanes that were the product of the Caproni-Reggiane Company, and the few that remain. Covered are examples of the RE.2000, RE.2001, RE.2002, and RE.2005.
On 16 September 2006 a C-130J transport landed at Pisa, Italy to unload the remains of a seventy year-old IMAM Ro.37 biplane that had been considered extinct until a few months earlier. This wreck is the first of several that are due to arrive for some much needed TLC! Gregory Alegi describes the discovery and recovery of the Italian biplanes from a troubled country.
Among the least well remembered of small production British aircraft were the high-winged Chrislea series comprising the tail-wheeled Skyjeep and the nose-wheeled Super Ace. One of the more unusual aircraft to come out of the United Kingdom, the Chrislea aircraft proved to be unpopular with pilots because of its ‘natural’ control system, and was only produced in small numbers. We take a short look at the type’s history and examine the survivors.
Recently Classic Wings visited RR Aviation Ltd. to follow up Bill Reid’s article some three years ago which detailed the restoration of the family Avro Anson. As the reader will see, much has happened during that time - and not only to the Anson!
In the concluding installment of Al Stix’s (Snr) fascinating de Havilland DH-4 journey we are informed of the trials and tribulations in getting to the point of firing up the Liberty engine, and what it felt like to take the big biplane into the air for the first time.
We also take a short look at the type’s history and round up the known survivors.
New Zealand
Following on from our look at the Macchi and Fiats in the previous edition we conclude the ‘Italian Thoroughbred’ series with a look at the monoplanes that were the product of the Caproni-Reggiane Company, and the few that remain. Covered are examples of the RE.2000, RE.2001, RE.2002, and RE.2005.
On 16 September 2006 a C-130J transport landed at Pisa, Italy to unload the remains of a seventy year-old IMAM Ro.37 biplane that had been considered extinct until a few months earlier. This wreck is the first of several that are due to arrive for some much needed TLC! Gregory Alegi describes the discovery and recovery of the Italian biplanes from a troubled country.
Among the least well remembered of small production British aircraft were the high-winged Chrislea series comprising the tail-wheeled Skyjeep and the nose-wheeled Super Ace. One of the more unusual aircraft to come out of the United Kingdom, the Chrislea aircraft proved to be unpopular with pilots because of its ‘natural’ control system, and was only produced in small numbers. We take a short look at the type’s history and examine the survivors.
Recently Classic Wings visited RR Aviation Ltd. to follow up Bill Reid’s article some three years ago which detailed the restoration of the family Avro Anson. As the reader will see, much has happened during that time - and not only to the Anson!
In the concluding installment of Al Stix’s (Snr) fascinating de Havilland DH-4 journey we are informed of the trials and tribulations in getting to the point of firing up the Liberty engine, and what it felt like to take the big biplane into the air for the first time.
Wings Over Wairarapa, New Zealand