FlyPast Magazine February 2016 Back Issue

The brand new FlyPast kicks off the month with a special section reflecting on the RAF’s Cold War V-bomber force. Now that the final flying Avro Vulcan has been retired, it’s an appropriate time to pay tribute to the men that flew these remarkable machines – Vulcans, Victors and Valiants - in service. Our monthly Spotlight section focuses on the Valiant, the first of the V-bombers and one that is frequently overlooked.

Duxford Jet Killers
Stephen Chapis describes how pilots of the USAAF’s wartime 78th FG used their skill and tenacity to turn the tables against Luftwaffe jets. Flying Mustangs and Thunderbolts from Duxford, these men helped turn the tide of world war.

Canadian Mitchell
Darren Harbar reveals the story behind the nose-art worn by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s airworthy B-25 Mitchell.

Reviving the Shackleton
A team of volunteers at Coventry is aiming to return an Avro Shackleton to British skies. Steve Beebee reports.

Project Lightning
Max Waldron describes the dismantling, moving and re-assembling of English Electric Lightning F.3 XR713.

Wartime Memories
Richard Chancellor presents some rarely seen images of World War Two aircraft taken in Sicily during 1943.

Plus we visit the Lithuanian Aviation Museum in Kaunas, and take a trip ‘down under’ in the company of Phil Buckley to a warbird airshow at Temora, Australia. Also included is a report on the restoration of a Canadair C-54GM North Star, and we bring you news of a Rockwell Bronco that has just re-flown at Duxford, and a successful engine run for a US-based Lightning jet.