More Wangaratta pics – Tony
I have just posted on my Webshots account 55 more pics of the Ki61 Tony aircraft being restored at Murray Griffith’s Wangaratta Precision facility. One machine will be going back to PNG for static display, One will fly for Jerry Yagen in the US another will fly as Murray’s own aircraft whilst the last of the 3 airworthy machines is for an undisclosed owner. The intention is to power the aircraft with DB 601 power plant from a source as yet unidentified as the original was an adapted version of this engine. Tony Andrews took these photos on his recent trip down under and kindly agreed to have me host them here – thanks Tony.
The first machine in the jigs is the PNG static restoration which is largely intact and will supply data to allow the next 3 more “challenged” airframes to be restored as accurately as possible. It can be seen in the photos that work on this machine is already well advanced.
The link is http://community.webshots.com/user/setter125
And look for the item titled “Ki61 Tony restoration photos “
Be patient I am about half way through the upload but is should finish in about an hour – you can view about half of the now
Kindest regards
John Parker
By: Zac Yates - 22nd April 2015 at 00:38
Wangaratta Ki-61 Tony restoration update
Holy thread resurrection, Batman! But, I hope, worth it.
Kermit Weeks has recently been in New Zealand and Australia, and has posted a picture of him with two of the Precision team on Facebook with the following (clipped by me) caption:
“Anyway, here’s Roland in the middle that did most of the structural work on Jerry Yegan’s[sic] Tony and will finish up the rest before the aircraft is sent to New Zealand to be fitting out for flying. I hope to get a little bit of work done on mine while it’s still in Australia.”
He also goes on to speak of the Yagen Vought OS2U and P-39 projects, but those are subjects for another thread.
Good news for Tony fans!
By: setter - 22nd December 2004 at 10:48
Hi Greg
You never know – at least two of these aircraft came from the US after being pulled out of PNG so we are probably talking about a couple of the machines you are talking about- particularly Kermit – given that his P39 has just arrived there. Whose to say that more Tony’s won’t arrive in due course. The Tony won’t return to PNG until there is a proper building for it< The boston that was restored her a few years ago is still here on the same basis.
Regards
John P
Have a happy and merry Christmas
and a great 2005
By: setter - 22nd December 2004 at 10:45
Hi Greg
You never know – at least two of these aircraft came from the US after being pulled out of PNG so we are probably talking about a couple of the machines you are talking about- particularly Kermit – given that his P39 has just arrived there. Whose to say that more Tony’s won’t arrive in due course.
Regards
John P
Have a happy and merry Christmas
and a great 2005
By: gregv - 22nd December 2004 at 10:25
“wow” just doesn’t seem to cover it…
thanks for the incredible pics; the Tony has long been a favorite of mine (and I suspect many others) and to think that we will soon be able to see one (or more) in the air is truly amazing! The static example going back to PNG is going to be displyed inside, I hope? As far as other examples goes, doesn’t Kermit Weeks have one under rebuild to fly as well? And was there not an example at the Santa Monica Museum of Flying? Plus there was that other example featured in an issue of Air Classics in the early 80’s, that had been pulled from the jungle in less-than-ideal but complete shape; I recall that one of the original designers showed up with some of the original blueprints; wonder if it is still in California? Seems strange that Mr. Harada doesn’t have one on the go…
thanks again for the pics and sorry for the ramble
greg v
Sign In
December 22, 2004 at 5:31 am