Big mistake - Aircraft of World War II

Viper · 01-29-2005, 11:31 PM

After world war 2 south american airforces bought surplus P-51s from the americans, they used them until the 60s then my grandpas buisness partner bought 2 of them for 10 grand!!

. Why my grandpa didnt buy ten i dont know..... His partner went to pick them up and flew them home on the way back he had to land at a restricted millitary base because of low fuel levels. They inspected the planes and they still had the paint jobs and ensignias of south america. The also found that the six 50.caliber machine guns were still fully fireable and wernt leaded in. fortunatly he was allowed to go home but had to lead the 50 cals in of corse. He painted them, made one a double seat and sold them for a very high price years later.

Nonskimmer · 01-29-2005, 11:58 PM

That's a real shame.

Viper · 01-30-2005, 01:25 AM

yes it is.....

evangilder · 01-30-2005, 02:30 AM

Sadly, there are alot of stories of WWII aircraft that were acquired on the cheap and treated like rummage sale scrap. The P-38 that is in our museum (soon to be gone) was purchased from the reclamation center for $1,250!

The movie "Battle of Britain" used a bunch of WWII German fighters and bombers that today would be worth a fortune. What ever happened to them? I know that they were part of the Spanish Air Force when the movie was filmed, but afterwards, who knows? The last flyable He-111 crashed a few years ago.

cheddar cheese · 01-30-2005, 03:56 AM

Its all such a damn shame.

mosquitoman · 01-30-2005, 04:35 AM

At least there's complete aircraft in most cases, the biggest piece of a Stirling that's been found was the rear fuselage and was being used as a chicken shed in Holland

cheddar cheese · 01-30-2005, 04:39 AM

Jeez thats a shame. It would be great to have a Stirling flying. Are there any Halifaxes flying?

mosquitoman · 01-30-2005, 04:44 AM

There's one in an unrecovered state at Hendon, there's a composite of several crashes at Yorkshire Air Museum Elvington and there's one in Canada being restored but I don't know to what condition (flying, taxiable, static)

the lancaster kicks ass · 01-30-2005, 02:34 PM

i beleive it's to be a static, although the tail turret will work..........

mosquitoman · 01-30-2005, 05:02 PM

Are there any B-26 Marauders left? I haven't heard about any anywhere

Nonskimmer · 01-30-2005, 05:52 PM

The Halifax currently undergoing restoration will become a static display at the RCAF Museum in Trenton, Ontario.

Crazy · 01-30-2005, 06:05 PM

It's all such a damned shame

to anyone who takes the time to restore old warbirds

Cougar · 01-30-2005, 11:58 PM

no kiddin eh, after the war anybody could buy a mint condition lancaster from the local airbase for the grand total of 350$

Cougar · 01-30-2005, 11:59 PM

farmers bought them for chicken coops

But around calgary there is somewarbird restoration going on, as far as i know there is a hurricane being restored to flying condition and a mossy on the list to be. The museums lancaster is too far gone because of a cracked spar no engines, its been gutted and has a primer paint job, to make it worse some kids got in it and smashed it to hell. The one in nanton is much better though not flyable and will take a COMPLETE rebuilt from wheels up which will cost 10mill the whole town of nanton doesnt have that so theres no hope in sight for it flying, but it is quite an expierience to go in it. there is alot of warbirds in my area, in many museums but there should be more. Another example is another restored hurricane that was found in a barn in a haystack.

Nonskimmer · 01-31-2005, 06:18 AM

Got any pictures?

01-29-2005, 11:31 PM	#1
Viper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 261	Big mistake After world war 2 south american airforces bought surplus P-51s from the americans, they used them until the 60s then my grandpas buisness partner bought 2 of them for 10 grand!! . Why my grandpa didnt buy ten i dont know..... His partner went to pick them up and flew them home on the way back he had to land at a restricted millitary base because of low fuel levels. They inspected the planes and they still had the paint jobs and ensignias of south america. The also found that the six 50.caliber machine guns were still fully fireable and wernt leaded in. fortunatly he was allowed to go home but had to lead the 50 cals in of corse. He painted them, made one a double seat and sold them for a very high price years later.

01-30-2005, 02:30 AM	#4
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,807	Sadly, there are alot of stories of WWII aircraft that were acquired on the cheap and treated like rummage sale scrap. The P-38 that is in our museum (soon to be gone) was purchased from the reclamation center for $1,250! The movie "Battle of Britain" used a bunch of WWII German fighters and bombers that today would be worth a fortune. What ever happened to them? I know that they were part of the Spanish Air Force when the movie was filmed, but afterwards, who knows? The last flyable He-111 crashed a few years ago. __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

01-30-2005, 04:35 AM	#6
mosquitoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saffron Walden/Sheffield Posts: 2,991	At least there's complete aircraft in most cases, the biggest piece of a Stirling that's been found was the rear fuselage and was being used as a chicken shed in Holland __________________ When you realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, you know it's time to run for your life

01-30-2005, 04:44 AM	#8
mosquitoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saffron Walden/Sheffield Posts: 2,991	There's one in an unrecovered state at Hendon, there's a composite of several crashes at Yorkshire Air Museum Elvington and there's one in Canada being restored but I don't know to what condition (flying, taxiable, static) __________________ When you realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, you know it's time to run for your life

01-30-2005, 02:34 PM	#9
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	i beleive it's to be a static, although the tail turret will work.......... __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

01-29-2005, 11:58 PM	#2
Nonskimmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 8,871	That's a real shame.

01-30-2005, 01:25 AM	#3
Viper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 261	yes it is.....

01-30-2005, 03:56 AM	#5
cheddar cheese Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WSM, England Posts: 20,387	Its all such a damn shame.

01-30-2005, 04:39 AM	#7
cheddar cheese Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: WSM, England Posts: 20,387	Jeez thats a shame. It would be great to have a Stirling flying. Are there any Halifaxes flying?

01-30-2005, 05:02 PM	#10
mosquitoman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Saffron Walden/Sheffield Posts: 2,991	Are there any B-26 Marauders left? I haven't heard about any anywhere __________________ When you realise that the light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, you know it's time to run for your life

01-30-2005, 05:52 PM	#11
Nonskimmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 8,871	The Halifax currently undergoing restoration will become a static display at the RCAF Museum in Trenton, Ontario.

01-30-2005, 06:05 PM	#12
Crazy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 699	It's all such a damned shame to anyone who takes the time to restore old warbirds __________________

01-30-2005, 11:58 PM	#13
Cougar Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 27	no kiddin eh, after the war anybody could buy a mint condition lancaster from the local airbase for the grand total of 350$

01-30-2005, 11:59 PM	#14
Cougar Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 27	farmers bought them for chicken coops But around calgary there is somewarbird restoration going on, as far as i know there is a hurricane being restored to flying condition and a mossy on the list to be. The museums lancaster is too far gone because of a cracked spar no engines, its been gutted and has a primer paint job, to make it worse some kids got in it and smashed it to hell. The one in nanton is much better though not flyable and will take a COMPLETE rebuilt from wheels up which will cost 10mill the whole town of nanton doesnt have that so theres no hope in sight for it flying, but it is quite an expierience to go in it. there is alot of warbirds in my area, in many museums but there should be more. Another example is another restored hurricane that was found in a barn in a haystack.

01-31-2005, 06:18 AM	#15
Nonskimmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 8,871	Got any pictures?

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