American Aero Services hosted an Open House at their facilities back in February. The Colling’s Foundation aircraft were back for the last round of maintenance before going out on tour. Lots of other work going on that day and the staff were extremely nice and open to talk with visitors.

B-24J Liberator, “Witchcraft“, 44-44052, owned by the Collings Foundation

B-17G Flying Fortress, “Nine o Nine“, 44-83575, owned by the Collings Foundation

Grumman TBM Avenger “She’s the Boss“, 45-3835

Storch on a shelf

P-51D-30NA, being converted to a TF-51D, 44-74960 owned by Stewart McMillian. Source: P-51 Mustang survivors

P-51C-10N, “Betty Jane”, 42-103293, owned by the Collings Foundation

P-40B, 41-13297, owned by the Collings Foundation. It was not on display but the hangar door was cracked oh so much.

F4U-5N, Bu No 124692, owned by the Colling’s Foundation.

Stinson L-1 restoration

DC-6

Grumman F6F-3N Hellcat, Bu No 41476, owned by the Collings Foundation

Fw190 wing set

Scud Missile launcher

 

The Valiant Air Command Museum will be having its yearly Open House on 23 and 24 May. Event will be at the Space Coast Executive Airport.

Free admission for Active/Retired Military and Florida Residents with valid ID.

We have gone the past three years and there is usually a great turnout. Some flying happens, lots of planes of display, events going on in the hangar and many other things.

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