VAC TBM restoration back to flight

The Valiant Air Command has been working over the past couple of years to bring back to airworthiness a Grumman TBM 3E. This aircraft was acquired in 2002 by the VAC from Environmental Aircraft Services and was previously flown by the US Navy and the US Forest Service. A detailed history of the aircraft can be found here as well a picture of this aircraft from 1962 when it flew for the US Forest Service.

The VAC is painting this aircraft as one of the planes of Flight 19, which was a navigation training flight of 5 TBMs that were lost. The anticipated first flight is early 2012.

VAC TBM wearing the marking of Lt Charles Taylor, flight leader of Flight 19 in October 2011. Photo used with permission of Bill Scheuerman.

New Florida-based Airworthy A-4

A Vietnam veteran A-4 has recently taken to the sky in Sanford. BuNo149606 was delivered to the US Navy in 1962 and served until 1976. Deployments include time on the USS Hancock and USS Bonne Homme Richards. This aircraft was sold for scrap in 1985 and purchased by Skyhawk Ventures in January 2004.

This A-4C has been under restoration for the past 7 years and is owned by Skyhawk Ventures.

“Coconut Flyers” of Florida

“Coconut Flyers” of Ocala, Florida has posted some pictures of a restoration of Stearman that they are working on.

P-51 Precious Metal getting cleaned up

The P-51 racer “Precious Metal” is about to get some new paint.

278719_1449348490139_1726025848_774575_30885_o — Photo credit to Thom Richards

Restoration pictures of the WW2 Fighter Aircraft Museum’s Fw190 F-8

The World War II Fighter Aircraft Foundation Museum and Restoration Center has posted some new pictures of the restoration work of the Fw190 F-8 that they are returning to airworthy condition.