Fw 190A-5/U3 Flies Again


December 2, 2010 — On Wednesday afternoon, December 1, the Flying Heritage Collection’s (FHC) reported on its Facebook page that its Fw-190A-5/U3 fighter made its first post-restorative flight, marking the first time it’s been airborne since 1943 when it was shot down near Leningrad during World War II. Veteran test pilot Steve Hinton was at the controls as the aircraft took off in Tehachapi, California, and tested all major systems during a 20-minute flight. The pilot reported that the aircraft passed its trial flight with flying colors, stating, “The plane is very light, fast, and responsive…This lived up to the history books."

Photo courtesy of Jim Larsen and Air Classics magazine

Paul G. Allen, FHC owner, wrote on his Twitter page Thursday, “Yesterday saw FHC Warbird Fw 190A5 fighter fly for 1st time since WWII; Steve Hinton at the controls, pretty amazing.”

Adrian Hunt, FHC executive director, told EAA the plane flew again on Thursday and that plans are to paint-seal the airframe in the spring, then get it ready for its first public flight in the early summer at FHC on Paine Field Airport, Everett, Washington.

Aviation legend Bob Hoover, who will be honored with a special day on Tuesday, July 26, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011, famously escaped a German POW camp, stole an Fw 190, and flew it to safety in the Netherlands. Hunt, asked if there was any chance we might see the aircraft in Oshkosh next year to participate in the Hoover tribute, replied, “Paul’s philosophy is to keep the planes close to home.”

However, since Hunt did not completely discount that idea, there’s no harm in hoping…

About seven weeks ago EAA reported the airplane’s BMW 801 engine had its first run by Vintage V12s in Tehachapi. Read about that and airplane history, including an incredible video of its discovery in a Russian swamp, here

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