The current issue of “Classic Wings” reports that Tony Raftis has purchased the following aircraft in recent months to form part of a new Australian based collection:
– Spitfire XVIIIe SM969 – ex Doug Arnold
– Hawker Sea Fury – ex Zuccoli collection
– FG1D Corsair – ex Gary Kohs, EAA Grand Champion 2003
– P47G Thunderbolt “Little Demon” – ex Ray Stutsman
– TF51D Mustang – under restoration at Chino
– P51D Mustang – ex Bill Wyllie, Perth
– P40N Kittyhawk project – ex Murray Griffiths
The P51 and Corsair are reported as airworthy, the Sea Fury, Spitfire and Thunderbolt have been in storage and are to be recommissioned, the TF51 is nearing completion and the P40N is a project to be restored at Precision Aerospace. Quite a new collection! Interesting to see the ex Doug Arnold aircraft emerging from its long period of storage.
By: setter - 30th December 2005 at 04:44
Hi
It will be based in Melbourne and / or Wangarratta I think as that is where Mr Raftis lives (Melb) but a lot of the work will be happening at Wangarratta a couple of hours drive north of Melb at Precision Aerospace. I imagine there is much to do to get some of these flying given they have been in storage for over a decade in some cases. Given that some are also bought and sold i would be surprised if more than one example of each time is resident in Australia at any given time and as he sells the stock he would replace it ?
My theory only not fact.
By: scion - 30th December 2005 at 04:22
Will this collection be based in Perth or Melbourne or where ever?
By: Glenn_Alderton - 27th December 2005 at 04:38
I hope the local boys can keep you well Photographed as well 🙂
By: Stieglitz - 24th December 2005 at 07:07
Interesting to see the ex Doug Arnold aircraft emerging from its long period of storage.
It shure is. 🙂 Interesting new collection. What an impressive list of aicraft to start. I hope our local boys will keep us informed.
Greets,
Stieglitz
By: setter - 24th December 2005 at 05:02
Oh and I forgot rumor has it two more P51s are also involved – love rummors but as James says – believe it when you see it – Still whatever he does it will certainly be great and we should all be thankful he has done it at all
Seasons greetings
John p
By: setter - 23rd December 2005 at 07:19
Mr Raftis has a history in the Automotive trade and I have seen references to his sale and purchase of vehicles – perhaps he is also interested in dealing in aircraft – no bad thing just not a collection as such. I also believe there are two airworthy Corsairs and the German red Sea Fury from Duxford is also rummoured to be coming down under although I don’t know for sure if there is a link to Mr Raftis. There is also a rummor of several more Spitfires being involved.
John P
By: DaveM2 - 22nd December 2005 at 20:42
As JDK says the situation with anything Tony buys is fluid, but the information was correct and approved by Tony as of a month ago. The P-47 is on the water now.
Dave
By: JDK - 22nd December 2005 at 13:39
One of those situations…
Not everything that has been reported (in various places, not just CW) is accurate as the situation is fluid, to say the least. Certainly we’ll be seeing a great collection assembled, but what’s in it isn’t what was going to be in it, and may yet change again. I don’t have confirmed data on what’s arriving. I’ll believe it when I see it, and I’ll make sure I see it! 😀
By: Consul - 22nd December 2005 at 13:32
This has already been covered by Dave H in his thread: http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=51623
By: Dave T - 22nd December 2005 at 11:36
The current issue of “Classic Wings” reports that …..
Issue 53 is out ?
Thats great, should get mine any day i hope 😀
.
By: Chris Broad - 22nd December 2005 at 10:05
Wow! Looks like quite a collection! Even more reason for me to get my rear end over to Oz and NZ. Good luck to all involved, great news.
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December 22, 2005 at 8:24 am