After sitting abandoned for more than 45 years next to a runway on the island of Taroa in the Marshall Islands, the Zero has undergone a 10-year restoration and is preparing for its first flight soon.
warbirds
Picture of the Day: End of the day at Blue Grass Airport
James McCormick submitted this photo and note: “The B-29 ‘FiFi’ after its visit to the Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington.”
Picture of the Day: CAP cadets meet Miss Betty
Kimberly Byard submitted this photo and note: “Civil Air Patrol Potomac Highlands Composite Squadron Cadets had a living history moment when the restored P-63 Kingcobra, “Miss Betty” landed at the Grant County Airport in Petersburg, West Virginia. The restored fighter aircraft was named in honor of Betty Bishop. In 1943, she joined the ranks of Rosie the Riveters, the thousands of women who filled the workforce to power the United States Arsenal of Democracy. Betty worked on this P-63 during her World War II aircraft factory work. Never a dull moment! Go Civil Air Patrol!”
Picture of the Day: A legacy line-up
Cheryl Goodwin submitted this photo and note: “The Navy Legacy Flight lines up for a smoke-filled takeoff at the 2022 Reno Air Races.”
The fate of World War II surplus aircraft
Thousands of war surplus aircraft were scrapped after World War II, many salvaged for their engines, parts, and aluminum. By removing aged warplanes from the scene entirely, the aircraft industry and the military did not have to contend with some in Congress who might be attracted to false savings with old airplanes versus the development of state-of-the-art new aircraft.
Tom Reilly to be inducted into EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame
Reilly is renowned in the warbird community for his restorations, including the rare XP-82 Twin Mustang, as well as his more than 5,500 hours as PIC.
An eagle among crows: Bud Anderson honored at Oshkosh
According to Bud the name Old Crow meant wise bird when he was talking with teetotaler friends; to others, it represented booze.
A BF deal at AirVenture 2022
Warplane aficionados despaired of ever seeing a Bf 109 — especially a genuine German example — in flying condition. To have two airworthy representations of this scourge of the skies parked nose-to-nose at AirVenture was so Oshkosh.
Warbird Aviation Art now available at the mall
While aviation artist Ron Kaplan has sold his art online for years, Bunker 27 is the first to feature his pieces in a retail setting.