Looking back at a copy of Flypast from March 1996 there is a report that the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Texas had acquired a CASA 2.111 (Heinkel 111) that was capable of flight and that they were planning to fully restore it to pristine airworthy condition. Has this flown since then? Or is the restoration ongoing? Is it still owned by that museum?
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s website shows it running but not in flight, and I don’t know how old the photos are – that might be its arrival there.
http://www.cavanaughflightmuseum.com/Aircraft/He-111/Page1.html
By: willy.henderick - 22nd January 2005 at 17:35
So, I am glad to learn that the pilot would be John Allison. I probably confused two persons I met the same day.
The car of the Air Vice-Marshal (A RAF blue Mercedes with a RAF crests on the booth) escaped a bomb attack shortly after my visit to Wildenrath. That might help.
Thks anyway.
By: Firebird - 19th January 2005 at 11:35
It sounds like John Allison, who used to display Lindsay’s Corsair. He was Station Commander of one of the RAF Germany bases at the time (?Wildenrath), but was not an ex-wartime pilot.
Yup agree with Mike, that it was probably John Allison. I know he was the Stn.Cmr of the Phantom base with 19 and 92 Sqns in the early 80’s. But, I’m pretty sure back then he was only a Group Captain which would be correct for a Stn.Cmr.
By: willy.henderick - 19th January 2005 at 11:19
In 1984, one warbird displayed in Belgium (I don’t remember if it was Lindsay Walton’s Corsair or Stephen Grey’s Bearcat) was flown by an Air-Vice Marshall who was in charge of RAF Germany.
It was a charming person and an ex-wartime pilot.
Was is the same person?
By: Firebird - 19th January 2005 at 10:49
Well I was there, and do recall the airshow commentator introducing the display and announcing that the Spitfire was being flown by Air-Vice Marshall Cliff Spink, so I have to assume it that was correct.
I’m guessing that, being a high profile event, sending a high ranking RAF officer would have been the done thing anyway, and as Cliff Spink was a former BBMF pilot and still current warbird display pilot, it was a ‘kill two birds with one stone’ scenario.
On the other hand my brain cells arn’t what they once were…….. :rolleyes:
Perhaps Tbirdman can confirm….. 😉
By: DazDaMan - 19th January 2005 at 09:54
I thought it was Paul Day, too.
By: Firebird - 19th January 2005 at 09:42
Here’s a generic pic taken from somewhere on the web, showing the Buchon with Spitfire VB AB910 when it was sent State-side for the USAF celebrations.
Correct, taken at Nellis AFB, April 1997.
If I remember rightly, Cliff Spink at the controls of AB910. 🙂
By: DazDaMan - 19th January 2005 at 08:23
Cavanaugh also have ex-Charles Church Buchon G-HUNN, now registered as N109GU.
Here’s a generic pic taken from somewhere on the web, showing the Buchon with Spitfire VB AB910 when it was sent State-side for the USAF celebrations.
N109GU was, of course, used in Memphis Belle, Piece of Cake and Battle of Britain (taxiing, I think), but was also used in the TV movie Tuskegee Airmen, sporting a variation of its ‘Belle movie make-up (or was this an historic scheme? I don’t have a photo to hand of it :()
They also have the ex-Franco Actis (among others) Spitfire VIII MT719.
By: Dave Homewood - 19th January 2005 at 03:18
Thanks for the update Lynn
By: LoneStar Merlin - 19th January 2005 at 02:38
Last I heard from Doug was no, but they were going to go thru her and clean her up.
Cheers,
Lynn
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January 19, 2005 at 2:13 am