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Post by ErrolC on Apr 28, 2015 21:23:46 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 29, 2015 9:05:48 GMT 12
Lovely :-) I've tried to find on the site the other two aircraft they speak of, my guess is they'll be Jerry Yagen's Ki-61 Hien/Tony and his Kingfisher.
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Post by Mustang51 on Apr 29, 2015 10:10:24 GMT 12
Cannot wait for those Ki.61s.... they are by far and away my fav Japanese fighter. Bring them on ! Very interesting cockpit controls if you ever get up close and personal with one.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Apr 29, 2015 20:07:45 GMT 12
Super, super excited to see a P-39 in NZ! My top three WWII fighters which I'd love to see flying in person are in order the Defiant, the Brewster Buffalo and the P-39. Given that the first two aren't likely to happen anytime soon (although these days who knows what's possible!) I'll settle happily for the Airacobra.
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 30, 2015 10:37:23 GMT 12
The plot thickens: the updated Pioneer page now says this aircraft is P-39Q "Ex Soviet Airforce, recovered circa 1995 being restored to fly as USAAC 220341". Going through Goodall (http://www.goodall.com.au/warbirds-directory-v6/bell.pdf) this was reported at Wangaratta in 2008 and is "hulks & parts of 2 aircraft".
Further up the page I found this intriguing little snippet: "P-39D Nick Taylor, New Zealand: static rest. project (based on wreck fuselage, tail, nose section & parts) 03/04"
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Post by vultee43 on Aug 23, 2017 0:32:36 GMT 12
Lots of intriguing snippets on Geoff Goodalls directory. If most are true then there are many more aircraft being restored / stored than are known.
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 23, 2017 16:40:35 GMT 12
Trawling through Geoff's pages is certainly a fun way to pass the time! Pioneer has done the occasional monthly update covering most projects in their workshop, the most recent with a photo of the P-39 in the hangar with the wings on: www.pioneeraero.co.nz/2017/08/10/august-update/
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 10, 2018 19:41:19 GMT 12
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Mar 11, 2018 12:43:10 GMT 12
The P-39 and the Ki-61 Tony are the two projects I'm most excited about at the moment, great to see the P-39 is progressing so well, hopefully there will be the opportunity for it to be displayed a bit here before it goes offshore.
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 13, 2018 13:21:16 GMT 12
I've enjoyed your photos on my phone, Dave, but it's a joy to see them on my PC screen. The P-39 is looking so good and, like Leo, I'm hopeful we get to see it around and about for a wee while.
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Post by ErrolC on Jun 15, 2018 23:34:42 GMT 12
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Post by planecrazy on Jun 16, 2018 5:46:24 GMT 12
Great picture Dave, sorry to take this slightly off topic but I have to ask about the beautiful building, hangar that Pioneer reside in, love the structure of the roof, obviously quite old with some history? Back on topic the P40 where was she recovered from and how far from flight is she?
Thank you.....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 16, 2018 9:00:59 GMT 12
The hangar is a genuine WWII hangar, built around 1943. There are several still in use on the airfield.
The two P-40's currently undergoing restoration with Pioneer were both recovered from Russia.
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Post by shorty on Jun 17, 2018 20:25:48 GMT 12
There are 2 1/2 Ki 61s there and 2 Kingfishers. Biggest problem facing the Ki 61s is a suitable powerplant.
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Post by joey05 on Jun 17, 2018 20:36:17 GMT 12
Is there potential to do an Allison as in the Erikson BF109/HA1112?
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Post by shorty on Jun 17, 2018 22:46:16 GMT 12
Apparently not. to start with the fuselage side structure forms the engine mounts.
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Post by Brett on Aug 1, 2018 10:54:16 GMT 12
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Aug 1, 2018 18:21:46 GMT 12
Wow, looks great! I'm picking that won't be appearing at any of the displays during our upcoming air show season...
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Aug 1, 2018 19:31:46 GMT 12
It's looking stunning already! Interestingly for an aircraft that was somewhat maligned by the masses, Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover and Eric Brown all raved about it, so it must have been alright really.
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 1, 2018 22:14:05 GMT 12
It doesn't feel like three years ago this arrived! I really enjoyed seeing the photos here and on Facebook and it's given me excitement like I've not felt for a while. Bravo Pioneer and keep up the great work!
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