Old bird reborn
Tango Historical Sqn. is the home of the dedicated people to work for the restoration of the old and historic aircraft in Thailand.
F8F Bearcat, the fighter type 15th of RTAF, is the most widely use fighter in RTAF. more than 200 aircrafts used to commission in the fighter sqn. nationwide, more than any other model.
After the long restoration in Northrop Grumman company by the group of retired engineer who spend time working on this aircraft as their hobby and the vulunteer engineer in Tango Historical Sqn., this aircraft is made a official ” second maden flight” today, after 12 years since 1995. The old R-2800-34W engine is replaced by C-123 engine.
Took off from Don Mueang AFB, the aircraft is flew around 4 minutes and landed safely. The pilot is Group Captain Virayut Dityasarin, a talent pilot who lead Tango historical sqn.
I would like to thank Mr. 001 JZ team for Bearcat’s photos. Also Thank you the retired engineer in Northrop Grumman who help restore his aircraft without cost and vulunteer engineer in Tango sqn. who bring his bird fly into the sky again like in year 1952 – 1972.
PS. 1234 = 4th aircraft of 3th flying group of 12th sqn. of 1st Wing. this is the real register. c/n is 122120
Group Captain Virayut Dityasarin
By: Analayo - 21st December 2007 at 00:39
Superb photos of a magnificent restoration:) Will it soon be joined in the air by a Spitfire PR.19?
I think there are no hope for the Spitfire since they got only 3 years in service with RTAF and Tango Snq. have a plenty aircraft to take care of:cool:
They currently operating a flyable O-1, T-28D, some old helicopter and Curtis-Wright Travel Air 2000 name ‘Miss Siam’ which is the first civilian aircraft in Thailand. (Almost 90 years) If they got more money, anything is possible.:D
Miss Siam
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6113406&nseq=31
Leading actor in ‘Tora Tora Tora’ (Can not fly)
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6113411&nseq=29
I appreciate the price of aviation fuel…but a 4 minute test flight?
Sounds like a dropped digit, as you would be pushing to complete a circuit in that time.
A splendid restoration.
Thai Spitfire next?
Mark
🙂 They just take off and fly to the other side of runway and land. Because everyone warroy about its engine. (Which is got a several overheat problem sometime back) So everyone only hope the bearcat can fly in the first flight in that they, not just get cough or sick on the runway. 🙂
Many work still need to be done.
By: SMS88 - 20th December 2007 at 20:47
Superb photos of a magnificent restoration:) Will it soon be joined in the air by a Spitfire PR.19?
By: mike currill - 20th December 2007 at 15:09
For a Bearcat a 4 minute circuit would hardly be pushing it at the speed those things can go (as long as you kept it very tight of course 😀 ). Looking very good though, a real credit to the restoration team like most of the restorations appearing at the moment.
By: Mark12 - 20th December 2007 at 14:07
I appreciate the price of aviation fuel…but a 4 minute test flight?
Sounds like a dropped digit, as you would be pushing to complete a circuit in that time.
A splendid restoration.
Thai Spitfire next?
Mark
By: DazDaMan - 20th December 2007 at 12:22
Very nice 🙂
By: duxfordhawk - 20th December 2007 at 09:58
She looks a beauty a true credit to the efforts of all involved and is great to see another Bearcat take to the skies.
Its even nicer to know that Thailand has a bit of its aviation history back n the sky.
By: Analayo - 20th December 2007 at 02:16
There are a chance for everyone to see this bearcat in RTAF Children’s Day air show on 12 Jan 08 at Don Mueang airport (VTBD). I’ll wait for that 🙂
By: Bograt - 19th December 2007 at 12:13
Will it be at….? :diablo:
By: Oxcart - 19th December 2007 at 09:32
ALWAYS nice to see a bearcat in the air- even nicer to see one in such an unusual scheme- well done everybody!!
By: wl745 - 18th December 2007 at 23:15
Bearcat
Great news!When will it do a flypast down Pattaya beach!
By: Newforest - 18th December 2007 at 23:00
Sorry, what was the name of the plane again?:D Well done!:)
By: moocher - 18th December 2007 at 22:17
And very nice it looks to ..
well done
mick
By: Yak 11 Fan - 18th December 2007 at 22:15
Very nice, thank you very much for sharing these pictures.
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December 18, 2007 at 9:44 pm