NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! Say it isn't so!!!

[FlyboyGil]

last weekend at flying legends, another 2 incidents, with the midair collision of the next video as the most painful...
http://vimeo.com/26291756

OUCH!! How could he just fly into him in such a seemingly controlled trajectory 

There was a great loss recently in France with that beautiful B-25: http://gsirius.bookfoto.com/index.php?ac=book&gr=0&id=136064

It used to be based here in Switzerland for a few years, I knew the owners, got to video it a couple of times, went inside on the ground... they unfortunately had to sell it about 2 years ago, and now it's no more
Fortunately the crew walked away uninjured too.

It's just crazy what's happening. The B-25 doesn't seem to be extreme. The aircraft survived, and at least could be restored for static condition. It's just the loss of the B-17, and the Mustang. Just gives me chills as a Lancaster nut, to think that they're are only 2 flying of roughly 25 left in existence. To keep those oldies going. Kinda worrying. 

[FlyboyGil]

Also reminds me of the story of the B-29 "KEE BIRD". That was a stupid tragedy!!!

[vldflight]

She may fly again..there are a lot of parts sitting over in the hanger in Douglas.  They were from a salvage op in Greenland several years ago.  With whats left from the fire and that, they may start seeking financing to rebuild her.  Think I'll drive over there next week and stick my nose into it and see whats up.  This is the same crew that originally build her to start with I believe.

[YawningMan]

Around 11 airworthy left in the world... from 12700 made...

What really burst my bubble is finding out that metal was in such short supply in WWII they began using a magnesium alloy of aluminum in their airplanes! Knowing that, I'm surprised any are still flying at all!

Someone must really be exceedingly proactive about busting corrosion before it becomes a problem on these old magnesium birds. That, or they've re-skinned them with a much less caustic metal.

[Jupiter]

(...)they began using a magnesium alloy of aluminum in their airplanes! (...)

The stuff is called electron. It was also used a lot in the original of our replica, but we've mostly replaced it by glassfiber for a.o. production reasons

[Lt.Fubar]

It wasn't really a problem of lacking "proper" alloys, magnesium ones are very light, and sometimes this is exactly what you need. Take a look at the Sikorsky Ch-34, 1950s medium size helicopter, powered by heavy, radial, piston engine (low power to weight ratio), everything else had to be made as light as possible - so the whole fuselage skin was magnesium alloy.
As long as it's not for load bearing parts it's ok. Corrosion is not that much of a deal, unless you want that "bare metal" finish, than it's problematic even with 2024 (or 7055 today).
And I'm engineer... I don't trust anything unless it's made out of high-carbon steel 

[Jupiter]

http://p.twimg.com/AX8L_PeCAAA-aFJ.jpg:large
in this case, it isn't so much the airplane I'm feeling sorry for...
Caption was: This is what happens when you fly low over africa...

[darrenvox]

thats sad, and tragic, but there are better things happening to other historic aircraft like this

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42300

[FlyboyGil]

thats sad, and tragic, but there are better things happening to other historic aircraft like this

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42300

Wow we are neighbours! I live in Sarnia! I see you volunteer at the JAM. I was there for the first open house.

[darrenvox]

2009? yep i was there too..ive been to every single one of them...

are you coming to the one on the sept 18th weekend

[FlyboyGil]

Well things just keep getting worse!! Not a crash, but an eviction.  Freiken Corporations!! They're evicting the Toronto Air and Space Museum out of the historic Hangar that saw the construction of DH Mosquito's, Tiger Moth's, and Beavers to name a few. Why? Cause they're behind on the rent!! So they want the museum evicted and are going to turn it into.... wait for it..... AN ICE RINK!!!    What's wrong with that? Ever try to move an entire disassembled Lancaster Bomber? Heritage and sacrifice of those past, once again fall under the hammer of F*&*ING money Grubbers!!! 

http://casmuseum.org/

[Mike]

Man! That sux!

I feel so sad when I see that everything is about money anymore....
All this history our kids could learn from is disappearing and what's left?!!

[Oddball]

Why those money grabbing *****************************s!!!!  it could of been a lot worse could of turned it into a housing estate like Hatfield airfield the home of       De havilland.

[FlyboyGil]

Ouch!! At least not as bad, but it looks like she'll be down for the season!

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/05/26/2092834/plane-ride-comes-to-jarring-end.html

[Oddball]

Well that will be the end of 'Lil then.  She will end up grounded and in a hanger some where