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Mustang was ‘suitable for aromatic fuels’
The data block on the Flying Heritage Collection’s P-51D Mustang includes the phrase “Suitable for Aromatic Fuels.”
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Counting the cylinders of the Hellcat’s engine
The cowling is off of the Flying Heritage Collection’s Hellcat at the moment.
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Restoring the scars on a warplane’s spars
The spars of a Mitsubishi Zero are a nightmare to a warbird restorer.
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Self-destruct button not just in the movies
It’s all very James Bond, but some U.S. combat aircraft had a self-destruct mechanism mounted in the cockpit.
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Sideways stabilizer makes for straight takeoff
An interesting aspect of the FHC’s Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-3 is the plane’s vertical stabilizer.
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70-year-old photo features Japanese Zero
Tracing the history of the FHC’s aircraft is always interesting. This photo came from the stacks at the…
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Safety cable the key to landing gear retraction
Retracting the landing gear while your plane is still on the ground can ruin your day.
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Red targets on Mitsubishi aircraft still a mystery
Ryan Toews of J-Aircraft.com has been studying the markings of Zero aircraft for years. He worked with FHC…
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Zero’s wheel coverings make for difficult tire maintenance
The Zero has fairings that cover the plane’s main landing gear legs and tires almost entirely when they…
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Linked wings help fighter land
Recently, we were shooting photos of the FHC’s Messerschmitt Bf 109. Part of getting the plane “cleaned up”…
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Handles help get a grip on biplane
The FHC’s Curtiss Jenny has a pair of handles on its bottom wing. While they seem a bit…
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Plane’s astrodome made navigating by stars possible
Like the 16th century sailing ships of Britain’s Royal Navy, the crew of the FHC’s Avro Lancaster found…
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Plug gave V-1 ‘Buzz Bomb’ a spark
If you look closely at the top of the engine cowling of a V-1 “Buzz Bomb,” you will…
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What victory markings on Thunderbolt mean
The FHC’s Republic P-47 Thunderbolt has two types of victory markings on its side. For some of the…
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Hellcat mascot uses literal translation
So, what exactly is a Hellcat? One definition in the dictionary says, “a violently temperamental person; especially: an…
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Plane’s clever seat allowed gunner to face front or back
The gunner, situated in the back of the FHC’s Fieseler Storch sat on a unique seat made to…
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Squadron’s unit patch painting of ‘Willie the Wolf’
The FHC’s P-47D carries a painting of “Tallahassee Lassie,” pilot Ralph Jenkins’ wife. The image was created by…
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Canopy bubbles allow for visibility
An improved version of the P-51 Mustang, the D-model, had upgraded weaponry and a single-piece bubble canopy. Making…
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Parts manuals don’t say it all
Parts manuals are good for figuring out what a component of an airplane does, but there is no…