Volume 28 #5, Issue 133

SOPWITH CAMEL SURVIVORS

With the Vintage Aviator Limited's Camel featured in our previous issue we now take a look at the further seven largely original Camels known to survive of the approximately 5,700 built. The history of each is described and in several cases complemented by historic photos of the aircraft.

To Be PERFECTLY FRANK... THE Ki-84

Three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force requested a new fighter from Nakajima. The aircraft was to be powered by the company's new Homare Ha 45 radial engine.
This article explores the heavy fighter's challenging development, its service in China, and its intense combat history over the Philippines. The story focuses on the only known surviving fighter, a combat veteran captured by the U.S. and shipped there for testing. After narrowly avoiding the scrapyard, the aircraft was acquired by Ed Maloney, who returned it to flight.

HOME COMING QUEEN - THE RETURN OF THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

Although Spitfire HF Mk.VIII, MV154, had an uneventful career, spending its life in storage and later as an instructional aircraft, it has a great connection to Australia. In a twist of fate, 44 years after being illegally exported out of the country, the fighter returned and flew in Australian skies for the first time ever in October, 2024. Here we provide an overview of the MK.VIII, take a look at the history of this particular Spitfire and tell a little about Australian ace Clive ‘Killer’ Caldwell, his Spitfires colours faithfully reproduced on MV154. Gavin Conroy provides some spectacular air to air images.

MYSTERY AIRCRAFT...

Designed and developed for general purpose work the Westland Wapiti provided an aeroplane suitable for bombing, reconnaissance, photography, army cooperation and advanced training. This no frills aircraft served in all these roles with distinction. But it is perhaps best known for its work as the Empire's 'policeman.' In this article we take a look at the types' development and its operational history, particularly with the British and Indian Air Force which patrolled the Middle East and the Northwest Frontier in trying conditions. Today the surviving example in India is undergoing a makeover and a little known project is coming together in Australia.

 

Airshows: AVENGERS ASSEMBLE - Thunder Over Michigan