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"Fuddy Duddy", a Boeing B-17G Flying
Fortress right after take off. The machine carries the painting of a B-17G, crashed on
30.12.1944 over Mannheim after a Mid air collision. Four B-17's participated in the
Warbird air show. |
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"Panchito", the beautiful North
American B-25 Mitchell we already know from the static display. Here the machine is in her
takeoff run, briefly before taking off. |
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Weapon-defying and with open bomb bay the B-17
flies over the "target", the prepared pyrotechnics. In reality this machine
never experienced a war deployment. Built in 1944, it served as VIP transport for general
Eisenhower and general MacArthur. |
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"Panchito" with open bomb bay.
Together with the B-17 this Mitchell demonstrated pyrotechnic bomb attacks. |
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The B-17G "Liberty Belle" of the
Liberty Foundation in Atlanta has a troubled past. In 1947 it was sold for $2.700 and
reequipped for civilian use. She served a.o. as test airplane for P&W propeller
turbines, which were installed on the nose. |
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Compared to the mustangs the Curtiss P-40 is
seen rather rarely, although more than 14.000 machines of this type were built. Here a
Warhawk takes off for the demo flight. |
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"Yankee lady" was built in 1945 by
the Vega Division of Lockheed in Burbank CA. The B-17 was used as a measurement and photo
airplane, tanker and spraying airplane. She can also be seen in the film "Tora, Tora,
Tora". |
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This 1941 built and to the RCAF delivered
P-40E carries the painting of a Warhawk of the 23rd FG, 14th AF, USAAF, flown in Burma in
1942 by Colonel Robert L. Scott. |
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The bombs hit the target. The Flying Fortress
turns away and leaves a large smoke cloud ... |
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From 1968 until 1970 this beautiful airplane
stood as decoration on the roof of a gas station. Fortunately it was saved and put in
airworthy condition again. |
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The large four-engine Boeing B-17 Flying
Fortress, followed by the twin-engine North American B-25 "Mitchell". Four North
American P-51D "mustangs" fly an escort patrol over the formation. |
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Steve Hinton during a skilful demonstration of
the Lockheed P-38 Lightning "Glacier Girl". Steve is one of the most experienced
Warbird-pilots. He describes the flight characteristics of the P-38 as very simple and
light. Of course, with such experience, Steve ... |
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"Upupa Epops" was flown for the
first time at Airventure 2005. Insiders designate this new restored mustang as the most
high-quality and most valuable machine of its type at present. It belongs to Paul Allen,
the joint founder of Microsoft. |
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Lockheed designer Kelly Johnson had the idea
of the radical new design of the P-38 in 1938. The success of the airplane justified his
concept. The "fork tail devil" was used in all theatres. |
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Aircraft scramble! Two mustangs briefly before
take off. The wheels of "Gunfighter" (left) have already lost contact with the
runway. |
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Bill Greenwood at the stick of his Supermarine
Spitfire Tr. Mk. IXc. The machine was build in Castle Brominwich. The machine never flew
in combat. In 1950 it was converted into a trainer. |
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Further two P-51D's follow shortly. Within a
few minutes there are a dozen of these fast fighters in the air. In the back of the
picture you can see "Old Red Nose" from the CAF in Midland, Texas and in the
foreground you can see the "Checkertail Clan" of Nathan Davis from Indiana. |
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In 1961 the two-seater Spitfire was bought
from the Irish Air Force. In the film "Battle of Britain" this Spitfire became a
film star. For this appearance however the rear cockpit was covered. |
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Still in the 50's this P-51D served with the
Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Since 1957 it is privately owned. Tom Wood from
Indianapolis acquired it in 1969 and flown it eversince. |
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Don't be fouled by the somewhat awkward
appearance of the Grumman F-4F Wildcat. The carrier supported Fighter was very successful.
The first machines where used by the British Fleet Air Arm. |
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The mustang "Checkertail Clan" is in
great condition. That was not always the case. In the course of its life the machine had
two crashes in 1987 and in 1994 during the first flight after the restoration. Since 2002
it belongs to Nathan Davis. |
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A Chance-Vought F-4U Corsair takes off. The
heavy Fighter with its characteristic cranked wings was in the Pacific extremely
successfully used against the Japanese. |
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General Reg Urschler sits in the cockpit of
this North American P-51D "Gunfighter" of the CAF. The machine is stationed in
Omaha. |
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Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and his
VMF-214 "Black Sheep" Squadron became legendary. This successful Squadron also
flew on the F-4U Corsair. |
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"Old Crow" secures the flank of the
bomber. The mustang in the painting of the WW II Ace Col. Bud Anderson belongs since 1994
to Jack Rousch from Livonia. |
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That there is no lack of airworthy North
American AT-6 Trainers can be clearly seen in this picture. |
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Bud Anderson obtained 16 1/4 kills in the
Second World War as a member of the 363 Fighter Squadron. Occasionally the machine is
still flown by the very quiet Bud Anderson. |
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In part 4 this Junkers Ju 52 of Spanish
production was already described. It also was to be admired in the flight. |
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Four P-51's in the breaking of a close
formation: such scenes put a Warbird-fan in ecstasy... ;-) |
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The Piper L-4 Grasshopper served as a liaison
aircraft and flew over the hostile lines, directing artillery fire on targets. |
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The NA-50 Replica when taking off. From this
perspective the T-6 starting point of this replica is easily seen. Wheels and chassis are
almost identical. |
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American airplanes are the main attraction in
the Warbird Air show. In addition, this Yakovlev Yak-3 was present. It belongs to the
Museum of Flying in Santa Monica, California. |
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Howard Pardue with his Grumman F-8F after take
off. For several decades he takes part at air shows with his airplanes . He ranks among
the most experienced Warbird-pilots. |
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The "Wall of Fire" is the highlight
at many American air shows. The pyro-guy made it really crack this time. One could still
feel the pressure and heat wave at approx. 200m distance. |
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