Flightpath Volume 30 Number 4 i(May-July 2019) is hot off the printing press! It contains the most up-to-date news and features to feed your classic, antique and warbird passion. Some massive news this issue including a new Spitfire for Australian and the donation of several of the Temora Aviation Museum aeroplanes to the Royal Australian Air Force. How big is that! You'll find that and more underneath the cover shot of the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar’s stunning T9 Spitfire MJ627, photographed by John Dibbs, The Plane Picture Company, for the BHHH.
Here's what else you'll read about inside.
Durable and Simple
The Westland Widgeon showed great promise as a private aircraft, but its production ceased in favour of a lucrative military contract. Andy Wright looks at the type in Australia and the local origins of four of the five known survivors.
British Aircraft and Klemm
The patriotically named British Aircraft Manufacturing Company Swallow was in fact originally a German Klemm design. James Kightly delineates the forgotten, and famous, designs of the two companies.
The Nama-Namba Man
The remote New Guinea Highlands were apparently of little interest to the Japanese. This belief changed when, in 1976, an Australian patrol officer supervised the exhumation of the remains of a pilot from his Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. Michael Claringbould reveals how and why the pilot died there.
Spitfire Dreaming
The Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar is a relative newcomer to the world of Spitfire preservation, but its impact and accessibility has set new benchmarks. Its origins are now more than twenty years old. Robin J Brooks and Andy Wright look at its past, present and future.
A place in History
Of the major restoration programmes undertaken by the Commemorative Air Force in recent years, the return to flight of a Douglas C-47 has certainly captured the most attention. Luigino Caliaro looks at the history of the aircraft as it is prepared for the upcoming D-Day commemorations.
Enemies no More
The Wewak campaign effectively sidelined a large contingent of Australian resources as the advance to the Japanese home islands continued. Japanese forces had to be removed and, as Michael Claringbould describes, life was certainly no easier for the men involved on either sides.
The Firefly’s Nursemaid
The Fairey Firefly played a key role in the beginnings of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in the late forties. Matthew Willis recounts how former test pilot Duncan Menzies helped shape the RAN’s initial carrier aircraft fleet.
Fighters of the Fifth
Tim Hillier-Graves describes how the other great American naval fighter of the period, the Grumman Hellcat, pulled its weight for the British Pacific Fleet.
Wolves in Technicolor
Following the P-47 Thunderbolt special features in the previous issue of Flightpath, Nigel Julian and Peter Randall complete their colourful look at the famed 56th Fighter Group with a selection of photographs showcasing the unit’s earlier aircraft.
and ...
News
Personal Effects
Historic Australian Aircraft
Poster
Airshows
If you haven't got your copy yet, now would be a good time to go out and get this brilliant issue of Flightpath.