Decaying Douglases, often to he seen in Africa or South America, are a rarity in Europe. Sadly, given the backlog of restoration work at Alverca, it is difficult to imagine this DC-4 receiving much tender loving care.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-4 / C-54 / R5D Skymaster - СШАUSA - 1942

Marcus Edwards taxying Sea Vixen XP924.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Sea Vixen / D.H.110 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1951

Of a total of six North American F-86F Sabres recorded at the yard in 1989, three are now on display or under restoration at other bases in Portugal; these three remain.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American F-86 Sabre - СШАUSA - 1947

In 1989 the yard housed seven surviving Junkers Ju 52s of a total of 22 acquired from Germany, Norway and France. Two have gone to Norway for restoration, and one to Belgium.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Junkers Ju.52/3m - ГерманияGermany - 1931

P-51B Mustang N51PR in June 1993, in its latest all-red racing livery as The Believer.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

One of two other excellent VAM restorations is T-28C Trojan BuNo 140576, which is painted in the markings of a special A-4 Skyhawk commemorating the 75th anniversary of the US Navy

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American T-28 Trojan - СШАUSA - 1949

One of two other excellent VAM restorations is T-28B BuNo 138272, which has been painted as a squadron hack from El Toro NAS.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American T-28 Trojan - СШАUSA - 1949

Progress on the Yatesbury-based Meteor Flight's (MF) Meteor T.7 restoration is good, but the group is seeking extra active and “armchair” members to help put WA591/G-BWMF back in the air. Seen here in October 1995, it has now been dismantled, deskinned as necessary and inspected. Reassembly and an engine run are planned for 1997. For more information contact MF secretary Mark Jones, 26 Springfield Way, Westbury, Wilts BA13 3QQ (tel 01373 864135).

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Meteor / G.41 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Hanging above the B-52, all-black Lockheed U-2C 56-6692 symbolises the Cold War.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed U-2 - СШАUSA - 1955

The paddle-propped pair of C-130A Hercules at Alverca in October 1996.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed C-130 Hercules - СШАUSA - 1954

Aircraft suspended from the AAM’s concrete-shell roof include dramatically posed T-33A 51-4286.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed T-33A - СШАUSA - 1948

Canberra WK163/G-BVWC undergoing engine runs in DERA colours, due to be changed for Fifties silver.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAE Canberra - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

Ex-RCAF Catalina VH-EXG is being returned to turreted-and-blistered RAAF configuration.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Consolidated PBY Catalina - СШАUSA - 1935

France’s Securite Civile retired its last Canadair CL-215 fire-bomber in October 1996, ending the type’s 27-year career with the service - during which it clocked up 88,525 flying hours and 288,592 water-drops, with the loss in action of five CL-215s and their crews. Tanker 26 made the CL-215’s last public appearance at the Salon des Avions de Legende at Cannes in late September.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Canadair CL-215 - КанадаCanada - 1967

One of four Noratlases at Alverca - perhaps Europe’s largest concentration of the type, and a source of Hercules engine spares.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Nord Nord 2500 Noratlas - ФранцияFrance - 1949

Great progress is being made on the restoration of the latest North American T-2C Buckeye at Victoria Air Maintenance on Vancouver Island, Canada. The jet trainer has been painted, the wings have been mated to the fuselage, and the tail surfaces have been fitted. The aircraft is seen sitting on its undercarriage, awaiting the installation of its twin General Electric 085 engines. The other aircraft partly visible in the photograph is a DHC Beaver under restoration.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American T-2 / T2J Buckeye - СШАUSA - 1958

RAAF Museum Lockheed PV-1 Ventura, seen here after its belly-landing on November 17, 1996 following double power loss is now back on its undercarriage at RAAF Richmond. Thanks to quick thinking by the crew there was no significant structural damage, but repairs to its propellers, port engine mount, oil coolers, undercarriage- and bomb-doors will take between six and twelve months.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon - СШАUSA - 1941

Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon FAP 4620 (Bu 37473) is the only example of its type in Europe. Most of Portugal’s Harpoons were struck off charge in the autumn of 1974 in Angola, and their ultimate fate has become a mystery. This example had remained in Portugal and, after maintenance school use, it arrived at the Alverca storage compound minus engines, nose and cowlings. The aircraft’s control surfaces lie nearby in the yard’s eerie, arid stillness.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon - СШАUSA - 1941

Following a major rebuild co-ordinated by Ron Lee of Schutt Aviation at Moorabbin, Melbourne, Australian collector Murray Griffiths' CAC Wirraway A20-606 was due to return to the air before Christmas. The country’s fifth flying example, ’606 will be based at Deniliquin, NSW.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Commonwealth (CAC) CA-1 / CA-3 Wirraway - АвстралияAustralia - 1939

The last civil Cloud, OK-BAK for CSA.
FOR CZECHOSLOVAKIA: In last week's issue details were given of this Saunders-Roe "Cloud," which has been delivered to a Czechoslovakian operating company. The machine has been purchased so that the harbour at Susak may be used when the hill-surrounded aerodrome cannot be reached in bad weather.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Cloud / A.19 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

The hull of Saro Cloud OK-BAK on static display in the new pavilion of the Aviation Museum at Kbely in the Czech Republic. Bereft of its flying surfaces, it was relegated to post-war use as a launch on the River Vltava.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe Cloud / A.19 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1930

Aircraft suspended from the AAM’s concrete-shell roof include Avenger CF-KCG

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger - СШАUSA - 1941

Lionel Dupays’ Stampe SV-4B F-AZLD at its base at Cuers in July last year.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Stampe et Vertongen SV-4 - БельгияBelgium - 1933

Sea Devon C.20 XK895 engine-running at Swansea.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Dove / D.H.104 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1945

Edwin Shackleton (righthand seat) in Optica G-BOPN.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Edgley EA-7 Optica - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1979

Piper L-14 Army Cruiser ambulance EC-AAP at the time that its Spanish C of A was issued on April 2, 1952.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cruiser J-5 / L-14 / PA-12 / PA-14 - СШАUSA - 1939

Piper L-14 Army Cruiser ambulance EC-AAP under restoration at Burgos, Spain, in November 1996.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Piper Cruiser J-5 / L-14 / PA-12 / PA-14 - СШАUSA - 1939