Author Topic: WW II Era Planes Today (Read 562 times)

Eksel · « **on:** June 02, 2001, 12:04:00 PM »

I was wondering if any of you knew the numbers of ww2 era figthters that exist today? Does it vary by country or what?

Swager · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2001, 12:24:00 PM »

Well there was a P-51 gathering in Kissamee, Fl in 1999 and about 70 P-51 Mustangs from around North America showed up. I understand there are about 70 Spitfires (flyable) in the world with about 15-20 more in restoration. There are a good number of F4Us. Not too any P-38s or P-47s. Very few Me109s and FW190s.

Quite a few bombers from what I hear.

Regardless of how many there are, it is never enough.

Karnak · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2001, 12:40:00 PM »

Last I heard there were still less than 40 Spits, but more are becoming flyable each year.

There are very few Axis aircraft, particularly Japanese. There is one A6M5 that still flys using its proper Sakae 21 engine. There are one or two more Zeros flying, but they use Wasps for their powerplant.

Bomber wise, there are 2 Lancasters, no Mosquitos, very few B-24s, maybe only 1, about 10 B-17s.

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We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother

Bring the Mosquito FB.MkVI Series 2 to Aces High!!!

Sisu
-Karnak

Eksel · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2001, 01:02:00 PM »

Cool. I was just wondering since I saw Pearl Harbor...I was fooled by those planes..NOOOO

Gunslayer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2001, 09:52:00 PM »

Actually Eksel, several real warbirds were used for the making of the movie. I saw something on the history channel about it. There were 3 zeros, 4 p-40s, and a couple of vals and kates. Either the vals or the kates were replicas, but the rest were real.

grizz · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2001, 11:02:00 PM »

There is a Ventura (PV-1...IIRC) being rebuilt in a hangar across the airfield from us at work. We have a couple of guys working on redoing the wings right now. They got a little bent when the plane ditched. (I think it ran out of fuel) It's kinda neat watching the thing go together, although it has been a years long project...with a few more to go. It is in surprisingly good shape, very little exfoliation though the center wingbox is a little corroded from sitting on the ground for so long. And most of the titanium and magnesium fasteners will have to be changed.

So, hopefully, in a few more years, another warbird will be flying and keeping the memories alive.

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griz

Jigster · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2001, 11:21:00 PM »

Every Japanese plane in Pearl Harbor were replicas, the Tora Tora Tora group.

BBGunn · « **Reply #7 on:** June 02, 2001, 11:24:00 PM »

The Confederate Air Force has a few.

Eksel · « **Reply #8 on:** June 02, 2001, 11:33:00 PM »

When you replicate the airplane you just replicate the parts?

Karnak · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2001, 12:09:00 AM »

Most replicas are other types of aircraft that are modified to resemble the particular aircraft being replicated.

There are some Zeros being built in Washington, some Me262s in Texas, some Spitfires in the United Kingdom and some Fw190s in Germany. These are being built from the ground up with parts tooled to originaly specifications. The engines may be different, the Zeros will, for example, be using Wasps instead of Sakae 21s, but the structures are correct and done on original plans.

EDIT: Oh yes, there is also a Mosquito being built in New Zealand. The Mosquito is halfway between a restoration and a new plane built to the old plans.

------------------
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother

Bring the Mosquito FB.MkVI Series 2 to Aces High!!!

Sisu
-Karnak

[This message has been edited by Karnak (edited 06-03-2001).]

Hangtime · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2001, 12:10:00 AM »

Often that's just what has to happen... if someone needs a strut or gear door for a Zeke you can't order it from JCWhitney. In many cases the folks that actually built these planes; old farts 80 years old, set up a machine shop around the restoration and create from scratch the necessary parts.

It's a long; incredibly expensive project; with most of the skills; knowledge and plans long since extinct.. Here on Long Island theres a group of Grumman people that do just as I described... rebuilding old Grumman's. It's a labor of love.. and tears and aggravation... but when it flies again; it's a wonder to see and hear. God bless those guys; every one.

That's an F4F Wildcat in the background, and in the foreground, the Grumman restoration crew. These guys do this unpaid, and unasked and with great skill.

Hang

[This message has been edited by Hangtime (edited 06-03-2001).]

Maverick · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2001, 07:26:00 PM »

It was my understanding that the Chino Planes of Fame museum in Chino Airfield near L.A. has the worlds ONLY flying Japanese Zero. They did fly it out to film Pearl Harbor along with several other planes.

It landed at the Marana Northwest Regional Airport (E14) Out side of Tucson AZ. to fuel both ways. Darnint I missed seeing it.

Mav

Skorpyon · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2001, 10:35:00 PM »

Regarding bombers.... only remaining flightworthy B-24 is "The Dragon and His Tail", which luckily enough came to our local airport. BERSERKR and I got to do a walk through tour, and it was in pristine condition. I have pics, but unfortunately haven't developed them yet. If I get ambitious soon I will get them done and post a couple.

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Skorpyon
~900th Bloody Jaguars~
"Feel the Sting......"

Eksel · « **Reply #13 on:** June 03, 2001, 10:51:00 PM »

yea, that would be swell. Man, in the Seattle area nothing like that EVER happens... I heard the confederate airforce had a few old warbirds...but never come to seattle

-ammo- · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2001, 10:59:00 PM »

You gotta check out the Pensacola Naval Air station Museum, several grumman, an A6M, P40, N1K, etc...