The Fantasy of Flight Stinson O-49 Vigilant, 40-3102, was named the “GRAND CHAMPION WARBIRD” at the conclusion of Sun N Fun 2015. The restoration of the airframe took over 15 years of work after it was damaged in Hurricane Andrew.

From wikipedia, the design of this aircraft came in response to a 1938 United States Army Air Corps design competition for a two-seat light observation aircraft. When the German-manufactured Fieseler Storch was demonstrated at the Cleveland Air Races, the Air Corps revised its specifications in an attempt to match the performance of the Storch. Stinson (later a division of Vultee), won the $1.5 million contract over 11 competitors, including the Bellanca YO-50 and Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly.

This airframe was previously owned by Paul Mantz.

Congrats to Kermit Weeks and his team!

 

The Commemorative Air Forces B-24 will be in Deland from 28 April through 5 May at the CAF Deland ramp. Details forthcoming.

Credit for photo to Scott Slocum via Warbirds News

From the VAC Facebook page:

A big moment for the Valiant Air Command this morning when the VAC’s TBM Avenger lifted off at the start of it’s flight test program. She arrived here in 2001 and after 14 years in the hands of our dedicated team of volunteers she is back where she belongs. Her formal unveiling will occur at the conclusion of the test program so keep an eye out for news of that. We will post some video tomorrow.

This Grumman TBM Avenger is Bureau Number 91188.