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Post by Brett on Apr 21, 2015 19:26:56 GMT 12
The latest update on Kermit Weeks' Facebook page had a couple of interesting snippets. He was commenting on his trip to Wangaratta (Precision Aerospace) to check out progress on a couple of projects he has there.
"...did most of the structural work on Jerry Yegan's Tony and will finish up the rest before the aircraft is sent to New Zealand to be fitting out for flying."
"...Jerry Yegan's Kingfisher and P-39 projects are heading to Pioneer Aircraft in New Zealand so mine will have to follow as they are fairly incomplete and will need Jerry's as patterns."
So it looks like some NZ shops have more work on the horizon.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Apr 21, 2015 19:35:02 GMT 12
I just saw that - very exciting, all three of those are aircraft I would love to see flying!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2015 11:18:20 GMT 12
I did ask Kermit on Facebook last week if he'd considered sending his Tony to Ardmore for completion...so you're all welcome!  Has a P-39 ever flown in New Zealand? One which flew at Duxford in the last 15 years was once on display at MOTAT. The Kingfisher and Tony restorations will be world (warbird) news when completed as it's been many decades since one has flown, so if these flights are conducted here it'll be another wonderful milestone for our craftsmen and women and a great event to witness. This is wonderful news. Some idle research found this: according to Wikipedia (I know), Cuba was the last user of the Kingfisher, retiring them in 1959. I can't immediately find any info on the last Ki-61 flight but my guess would be 1945/46. So, as I said, their return to the air - probably, it seems, from Ardmore - will be historic days in the annals of heritage aviation. |
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Post by htbrst on Apr 22, 2015 12:13:46 GMT 12
I can't immediately find any info on the last Ki-61 flight but my guess would be 1945/46. I cant see anything specific either, I found a reference to it being in Nationalist China service until 1947 so it might be a bit later. It may also have been as late as 1949 depending on what the Indonesian People's Security Force ones were doing with some of their captured ones. Heres a photo taken November 1945 of a captured Nationalist Chinese one:  |
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Post by aeromedia on Apr 22, 2015 13:37:04 GMT 12
Wow, wow, wow !!! Peter Fahey might have some further "special airshows" to organise !
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2015 15:39:28 GMT 12
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 10:10:55 GMT 12
As well as the P-39, which now has its own thread, Pioneer Aero Restorations has now posted on their website about twoKingfisher projects headed their way, in addition to a P-39F: - Bu.No. 5985, the well-known former Whaleworld aircraft which served with the RAAF and looked very complete when displayed, which is the abovementioned A48-2 of Jerry Yagen: www.pioneeraero.co.nz/project/vought-os2u-kingfisher-2/- Bu.No. 5982, another former RAAF machine which served as A48-7: www.pioneeraero.co.nz/project/vought-os2u-kingfisher/At this point only 5985's page says "Now under going assessment prior to restoration to flying condition" but that may change? Exciting times for Kingfisher fans! But it makes me wonder about how/where the test flights will be carried out...? |
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Apr 30, 2015 16:31:09 GMT 12
That is a good question, presumably they wouldn't want to do it from the sea?
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Post by Brett on Apr 30, 2015 16:46:39 GMT 12
For authenticity they should use a catapult...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2015 18:38:55 GMT 12
Someone at WIX pointed out - which I knew already  - that Kingfishers also flew with fixed, wheeled undercarriage so PERHAPS they may fly like that first? |
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Post by Richard Wesley on May 1, 2015 22:10:25 GMT 12
Has a P-39 ever flown in New Zealand? One which flew at Duxford in the last 15 years was once on display at MOTAT. I'm not quite sure this is correct? I believe that the example that was on display briefly at Motat is still under restoration in Australia. Would be happy to be corrected, or learn any more of what happened to the ex Motat example. |
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Post by Brett on May 2, 2015 8:32:17 GMT 12
From Geoff Goodall's website:
15-141 . P-39D . 41-6802
Loaned to MOTAT by Monty Armstrong 75-79.
With Monty in Melbourne 88-00.
26E-397. P-39Q . 42-19993
Stored unrestored MOTAT for Monty Armstrong 74-76. Then to Australia, USA, UK (The Fighter Collection), back to USA and now with Rod Lewis.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2015 12:34:00 GMT 12
Sorry guys! I didn't realise MOTAT had two there at any point. Ignore me and carry on ;-)
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Post by Richard Wesley on May 6, 2015 23:03:48 GMT 12
Mmmmm, very interesting. Never occurred to me their could be two airframes through Motat. I've always quoted 41-6802 as the P-39 that people recall on display during the 1970's. Now looking at one photo I have been kindly given of the Motat P39, to those online of the two aircraft quoted, it would seem that this photo of a P39 at Motat may well be of 42-19993. If there are any first hand accounts of what happened with the Motat history I'd love to hear the stories.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 12:17:37 GMT 12
The Kingfishers and P-39Q are here! I can't link as I'm at work, but our own Kereru has posted some great "unboxing" photos of all three. Hopefully there's a way to see them next Sunday...?
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Post by pioneer on May 22, 2015 9:28:41 GMT 12
As not to get anyones hopes up I thought I should say that due to the restrictions that will be in place next weekend during the Warbirds open day the Pioneer Aero hangar will be off limits to all.
Also Dave this forum is running the risk of going the same way of NZDF, all bloody officers, no work will get done! First post on this thread not by a Group Captain.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 22, 2015 10:15:59 GMT 12
Hahaha. What's a Flight Sergeant doing here in the Officer's Mess, old boy?  |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2015 14:53:07 GMT 12
The latest issue of Classic Wings confirms the P-39Q and Kingfisher 5985 belong to Jerry Yagen - and the P-39 will be finished in USAAF Pacific theatre markings as 42-20341 - while the second Kingfisher belongs to Kermit Weeks, and goes on to mention Ki-61s as well. Very cool stuff.
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Post by baz62 on Jul 19, 2015 15:26:22 GMT 12
A great photo of the P39 and of the main float of the Kingfisher: click HERE |
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Post by Richard Wesley on Jul 20, 2015 21:22:08 GMT 12
Thanks for the link, looks like a hangar full of interesting treasure.
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- that Kingfishers also flew with fixed, wheeled undercarriage so PERHAPS they may fly like that first?
