warbirds
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: DNMM/UK
Biafra Babies
Sassenach,
The MFI-9/bolkow junior was one of the a/c that got me interested in this subject. I too agree that it doesn't really fit into the warbird category but I think that it at least deserves some credit for few kills, some Nigerian Airforce Il-28s, DC3/4/6, D0-27s and MiG-17s. Even though i think this is more to do with the skill of the pilots (Swedes and locals) than the aircraft itself.
The T-6 harvard also saw some action in the conflict.
Capt. M
The MFI-9/bolkow junior was one of the a/c that got me interested in this subject. I too agree that it doesn't really fit into the warbird category but I think that it at least deserves some credit for few kills, some Nigerian Airforce Il-28s, DC3/4/6, D0-27s and MiG-17s. Even though i think this is more to do with the skill of the pilots (Swedes and locals) than the aircraft itself.
The T-6 harvard also saw some action in the conflict.
Capt. M
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Bristol and Forest of Dean
Why does an aircraft need an aggressive capacity to be classed as a warbird?
Take the L series aircraft for example. Some 1500 aircraft were lost and 100's aircrew were killed in Europe between D-day and the end of the war. The aircraft, unarmed, were operated in all weather conditions over the front line and were routinely shot at by everything from hand guns to heavy shells, not the mention the luftwaffe. The War must have seemed very real to the army airmen at the time and their aircraft must surely be regarded as warbirds now just as the Willys Jeep and GMC 6X4 should be next to the Sherman Tank.
Kingy
Take the L series aircraft for example. Some 1500 aircraft were lost and 100's aircrew were killed in Europe between D-day and the end of the war. The aircraft, unarmed, were operated in all weather conditions over the front line and were routinely shot at by everything from hand guns to heavy shells, not the mention the luftwaffe. The War must have seemed very real to the army airmen at the time and their aircraft must surely be regarded as warbirds now just as the Willys Jeep and GMC 6X4 should be next to the Sherman Tank.
Kingy
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: northants
So is a Yak-52 a warbird?
In USSR the aircraft were used within the airclubs of DOSAAF paramilitary sport flying organization and was used as basic trainer for students.
In the '80s the only customer for Yak-52, except USSR, was the Romanian Air Force. Although it was for more than 15 years in production, in the '90s the Yak-52 was selected by air forces as basic trainer. As mentioned above, Romania was the first country to use the Yak-52 as true basic military trainer. Following the selection of Yak-52 by the economical office of the Hungarian army to equip the Szolnok Repülotiszti Foiskola (Szolnok Military Flying School), belonging to the Magyar Honvédség Repülo Csapatai (Hungarian Air Force), during the first quarter of 1994, 12 aircraft were delivered and started the training flights
In 1997, 12 aircraft were delivered to Vietnam. They are assigned to the Trung Doan (Regiment) 910 based at Nha Trang - the unit used for primary training within the Vietnamese People's Air Force.
The aircraft was modified as an anti-partizan assault aircraft. Two UB-32 rocket launchers.(Yak-52B).
In USSR the aircraft were used within the airclubs of DOSAAF paramilitary sport flying organization and was used as basic trainer for students.
In the '80s the only customer for Yak-52, except USSR, was the Romanian Air Force. Although it was for more than 15 years in production, in the '90s the Yak-52 was selected by air forces as basic trainer. As mentioned above, Romania was the first country to use the Yak-52 as true basic military trainer. Following the selection of Yak-52 by the economical office of the Hungarian army to equip the Szolnok Repülotiszti Foiskola (Szolnok Military Flying School), belonging to the Magyar Honvédség Repülo Csapatai (Hungarian Air Force), during the first quarter of 1994, 12 aircraft were delivered and started the training flights
In 1997, 12 aircraft were delivered to Vietnam. They are assigned to the Trung Doan (Regiment) 910 based at Nha Trang - the unit used for primary training within the Vietnamese People's Air Force.
The aircraft was modified as an anti-partizan assault aircraft. Two UB-32 rocket launchers.(Yak-52B).
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 17
From: U.K.
Yes the Yak-52 can be counted as a 'warbird' since it was designed initially as a military trainer. This is why there has been very little problem flying them in the U.K compared to the Yak-18. Since that isn't an ex-mil a/c then the CAA won't allow them on a U.K reg.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk
An interesting question and thread and a question for which I believe there is no precise formal answer simply a range of views based on personal opinion and common usage. I haven't reviewed the main dictionaries but I suspect they will all have slightly different definitions and these will also change with time.
I suppose an definitive answer has to contain some form of qualifier to allow the definition to vary as accepted use will depend on context. To the owner of a Spitfire the definition might well (although not exclusively) be relatively narrow. To the owner of an L4 the definition might be broader.
My personal definition is anything which was designed with the military in mind and I can afford!. Currently therefore I include the Chipmunk as this had a military purpose (albeit training). In the future if I am able to progress to sexier machines I might recalibrate my decision to exclude training aircraft and only include those with a front line role.
So for now I am with the EAA who allow Chipmunks to use the warbird arrivals procedure at Sun'n'Fun.
I suppose an definitive answer has to contain some form of qualifier to allow the definition to vary as accepted use will depend on context. To the owner of a Spitfire the definition might well (although not exclusively) be relatively narrow. To the owner of an L4 the definition might be broader.
My personal definition is anything which was designed with the military in mind and I can afford!. Currently therefore I include the Chipmunk as this had a military purpose (albeit training). In the future if I am able to progress to sexier machines I might recalibrate my decision to exclude training aircraft and only include those with a front line role.
So for now I am with the EAA who allow Chipmunks to use the warbird arrivals procedure at Sun'n'Fun.
