This month’s “Warbird People” sees me speak with Ed Vesely, the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) Helldiver pilot, a self-described “caretaker of history” who takes on the responsibility of flying this unique airframe and keeping history alive telling the important stories of the veterans that flew the SB2C. Curtiss aircraft throughout the company’s history maintained that … Continue reading Warbird People – Ed Vesely on Flying the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
Earlier this year it dawned on me that Warbird Tails would soon be racking up 300 posts - I thought the occasion certainly warranted some sort of celebration. I kicked around a few “300” themed ideas before ultimately concluding that there was one perfect answer; the Spitfire. The original Spitfire prototype was known as the … Continue reading Warbird People – Warren Pietsch: Spitfire at Reno
I cannot remember an airshow season in recent times where we have seen such a step up in the prominence of one particular type. Over a period of years we have seen near constant build up of airworthy Spitfire’s joining the ranks and various other types come and go but it's very rare for numbers … Continue reading Warbird People: Hawker Restorations
Following on from my introduction to Mr. Curtiss himself I wanted to feature a modern day operator of Curtiss types to offer a pilots insight into flying and operating these special machines. I was lucky enough to be able to catch a few words from Kermit Weeks, who operates a number of Curtiss types at … Continue reading The Curtiss Story Part 2: Curtiss According to Kermit – Kermit Weeks on flying Curtiss Aircraft
Glenn Curtiss was born on the 21st May 1878. Curtiss always had a keen interest in engineering and innovation. He opened up the first Curtiss factory, manufacturing motorcycles, in 1901. This obviously draws a comparison to the Bicycle building Wright Brothers,with whom Curtiss would have long drawn out legal battles and ill-feeling in the years … Continue reading The Curtiss Story Part 1 – Glenn Curtiss & the Early Years
As well as interviews with modern day pilots and engineers of these historic aircraft I also wanted to focus in on the people who flew these aircraft while still in service. Sadly of course in a number of cases the opportunity to interview is no longer available, but where possible I have tried to delve into … Continue reading Warbird People: Frederick Dudley Travers DFC WW1 Ace and Flying Boat Pioneer
It is a shame to start February off on a note of regret, but I didn't feel I could let the passing of US Navy ace Alexander Vraciu on the 29th January go unnoticed on this page. Without the brave men who flew these aircraft we love so much into war, we may very well … Continue reading Warbird People: Lt. Alex Vraciu – Hellcat Legend
“Why would someone want to do anything else?” It’s a good question. This was Tom “TK” Kurtz's response to me asking if given the chance to do it all again, he’d end up in the same job he has now, and who could blame him? For those that don’t know Tom is the General Manger … Continue reading Warbird People: Tom “TK” Kurtz III – General Manager: The Fighter Factory
11 years ago on the 1st of December, the airshow scene lost one of its biggest names and one of its early founders; Ray Hanna: Having learned to fly in his home country of New Zealand, Ray joined 79 Squadron of the RAF flying Meteors. Building from his RAF career, flying many of the early … Continue reading Ray Hanna – The “Master”
