An unusual AC-47D gunship of the Vietnam era, known as “Spooky,” will be part of the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight this coming weekend, April 28-29. This 1944 Douglas DC-3C-R was restored into a flying status as the famous “Spooky” or “Puff the Magic Dragon” gunships used for close air support of United States troops […]
warbirds
CAF asks for support against proposed amendment
In response to a proposed amendment from Congressman Michael Turner to the House National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310) that, if allowed to pass, would have a devastating effect on civilian operated historic military aircraft, the Commemorative Air Force has put together a letter that will be sent to the Committee on Armed Services. CAF […]
Warbird community rises to meet threat
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Warbirds of America are joining with the Commemorative Air Force, Collings Foundation, and other warbird groups in opposition of a proposed amendment to the House National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310) that could have a devastating effect on the fleet of civilian-operated historic military aircraft. The amendment introduced […]
Code 1 Aviation premieres
A group of industry experts with more than 80 years of experience has formed a new company, Code 1 Aviation, at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) in Florida, home to the Sun ’n Fun fly-in, to provide maintenance, restoration, avionics, sales, training and consulting services for owners of Warbirds. “We have the knowledge and […]
High grades, high flight for student
How do you manage a 4.4 GPA on a 4.0 scale? “You take lots of Advanced Placement and Honors classes,” said Joshua Gutierrez, a 17-year-old honor student at Central Florida Aviation Academy, which is on the SUN ’n FUN campus. Gutierrez has the highest GPA in his school and as a reward he earned a […]
Sun ‘n Fun warbirds judging suspended for 2012
A decline in recent years of participation in the warbird aircraft judging program at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Florida, has prompted officials to suspend the program in 2012. According to officials from the Warbirds of America, they and Sun ‘n Fun officials will reevaluate the program during the one-year […]
Stallion 51 celebrates 25th anniversary
Stallion 51 will kick off a yearlong “Silver Jubilee” commemoration at this year’s Sun ’n Fun International Fly-in and Expo in Lakeland, Fla., March 27-April 1. Sun ’n Fun will dedicate Friday, March 30, to Stallion 51 in commemoration of its 25 years. Lee Lauderback, Stallion 51’s president and chief pilot, will perform his signature […]
Where Warbirds Fly
On Saturday, Feb. 18, the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, Calif., will host a National Warbirds Operators Conference event. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be tours at Planes of Fame and at 5 p.m. there will be a flyover of three museum aircraft — two 2 P-51s — Wee Willy […]
Want to buy a warbird?
Then Mark Clark is the man to see When he was just 14, Mark Clark bought a life-changing ride in a Mustang. That 35-minute flight set the course for his career as a broker specializing in warbirds. But when you ask Clark, owner of Courtesy Aircraft in Rockford, Ill., what it was about that flight […]