Taxiing Accident — FG-1D and A6M2

Totally agree!

When you go through a list of aircraft that were recovered / saved over the years by Mr. Diemert it is very impressive. He was salvaging aircraft that no one had interest in. At least 2 P-40’s, a Hurricane, Firefly, P-51, B-25, the Zero’s, Val and many others would long ago been scrapped if not for his initiative. The 1960’s were not a period of great interest, pristine restorations or restoration shops of any acclaim. Enthusiasts did what they could with what they had in the best way they could – 50 years later the criticism that is tossed his way I feel is highly inappropriate. He was at least out there preserving things when people for the most part did not care.

This aircraft appears to have been started from scratch, with a few original landing gear parts thrown in to provide a tenuous link to an original aircraft.

Funny thing is I never saw this aircraft referred to as anything but a replica while in Mr. Blayd’s ownership. It seems to me that it was only after it was purchased from Blayd that it began to be referred to as a “restoration”.

Pour yourself a beer, find a comfy chair, and decide for yourself………………

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvbQMqd0kEY

Seems like Diemert occupies an area somewhere between ‘spirited genius’ and ‘dangerously delusional’. In my opinion the film seems to be a joke; ostensibly concerning one man’s delusional bid to convince the Canadian government to buy his laughably ramshackle, dangerous design over the F18. Perhaps on a deeper level it is something of an allegory, and gentle dig, at the state of Canadian aircraft manufacturing in general, or simply a cosy David-and-Goliath story. For those that claim that autism is a modern invention (sic), then I think the behaviour of Deimert and his electrical engineer companion warrant some closer scrutiny.

From what I can tell, Diemert is worthy of credit as one of the earliest restorers of WW2 fighter aircraft. At the same time his work appears to be astonishingly crude and kludged together.

Well… you could argue that at least most Spitfire and Mustang projects start with a collection of metal remains and an identity for the wreck. This aircraft appears to have been started from scratch, with a few original landing gear parts thrown in to provide a tenuous link to an original aircraft.

Perhaps we should not open this can of worms…..:rolleyes:

The Zero is effectively a brand new aircraft, assembled from parts made in Canada a few years back using an original recovered wreck as patterns.

Which would make it on par with many of the Spitfires and Mustangs out there.
But no one here ever “outs” a Spitfire….:)

Note I didn’t say most authentic or original, when describing the Blayd/TFL Zero, the POF Zero obviously has all of that – my comments refer to the level of precision of the Blayd/TFL Zero build, and I’m not the only one who has stated as such before. I’m really looking forward to seeing the POF Zero fresh out of its latest restoration (last time I saw it, a couple years ago, it was pretty well stripped down).

Probably the most perfect/highest quality Zero that has ever been.

The folks at Planes of Fame would certainly take issue with that statement. They maintain, quite correctly as it happens, that theirs is the only original Zero flying and all the rest are modern replicas (however well done they might be) with modified DC-3 engines on the front.

The Diemert Zero and the TFL Zero shouldn’t even be in the same discussion. If you want to know more about the TFL Zero, look up “Blayd Zero” – they are one in the same. Probably the most perfect/highest quality Zero that has ever been. The build was very well researched, including the paint scheme (some self-proclaimed experts will say that it shouldn’t have the yellow leading edges, for this scheme, but that is an accurate detail of Nakajima-built examples, as this one is (or at least the identity attached to it)). Some nice walkaround photos here: http://www.j-aircraft.com/walk/dave_pluth/blayd/blayd.htm

As I recall, Blayd also was working on building some more examples (at least two?), so there may already be parts/assemblies available to replace the tail section of the Zero.

That’s what I remembered reading, but didn’t realise there were other parts.

I thought that one went into a museum in the end? :confused:

It did. I saw it a few years back on FDord Island, Pearl Harbor, where it ended up after the CAF decided that it was not safe to fly. However Diemart had a lot of other Zero parts, which formed the basis of the ‘Blayd Zero’ (now with TFL)

Even if the skin is new they should sell pieces with a nice photo.
Help with the rebuild cost perhaps?

I thought that one went into a museum in the end? :confused:

I think this was the one put together by that well-known character of the warbird scene, Bob Diemert of Carmen, Manitoba.

As the Defender film is over 25 years old now, some people will not have seen it, but from about 26 mins forward there is good footage of the Zero rebuild.

What was the Defender ? A DIY fighter aircraft, like no other, and some people maintain that the whole project was a humourous indulgence, and Bob was sending himself up.

Pour yourself a beer, find a comfy chair, and decide for yourself………………

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvbQMqd0kEY

Thanks for the info 🙂

The Zero is effectively a brand new aircraft, assembled from parts made in Canada a few years back using an original recovered wreck as patterns. I assume they will have another new rear fuselage (it joins the one-piece centresection at the trailing edge of the wing) and tail manufactured for them in due course.

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/restore/canada/blayd.html

Indeed, glad it was only metal that got hurt.
Will that be repaired with all new sections or are there serviceable / restorable sections kicking around?

Stuff happens, especially when playing with old things.

I would imagine many ac were written off in the war in taxi collisions…bad visibility, brakes, a bit of inattention.

I was at the LA show, the Blue Angels also has issues. They taxied the C130 into a light pole on Wednesday. Broke #6 on the Thursday, fixed it, broke it again on Friday along with #4 & #5, fixed all 3 & then broke #6 again on Saturday. Wasn’t there on Sunday, but all 7 of them just flew over my house this morning.
I did ask one of the TFL guys if they will be adding a kill mark to the Corsair, they were non-commital. C130 also needs a light pole kill on the side 🙂

Here are both aircraft in better times, last summer.

As long as the pilot’s head is up and looking out of the cockpit, and not being too focused inside the cockpit, it shouldn’t be much of a problem seeing what’s around in front of you, even in a Corsair.
(Photos by Planes of Fame pilot Chris Fahey)