The best news this community could hope for is the return to active duty of everyone's favourite Omaka V-12, fighter, Graeme Frew's stunning Yak-3 'Full Noise'!
After a major refurbishment including a fresh engine and many other refinements, 'FN'35' has flown five hours of trouble-free test flying and so the aircraft and the Fighter Flights team are ready to provide warbird experience flights once again from the Omaka base. You can make your long awaited flight booking, buy a gift voucher (Father's Day is coming) right here.
The following photos illustrate some of the milestones along the restoration journey.
The completed wing is seen here in freshly painted, complete with fuel tanks and undercarriage legs installed. This is a very clever wing design in a number of ways, including the ability to remove the lower panels between the spars almost from wingtip to wingtip, isdeal for inspections.
A great many conversations like this ensued between owner Graeme Frew and JEM Aviation Proprietor (and warbird-whisperer) Jay McIntyre, resolving the many issues that emerge when navigating a mission like this one!
The beginnings of the new cowlings. Forming the new compound curves in aluminium is artistry in metal, a rare skill in today's world. This was carried out by Richard Conlon of Tasman Coach Builders.
The new cowlings and new spinner have lifted the calibre of the Yak-3 considerably.
The top cowlings of the Yak have received considerable attention, now hosting gun troughs and blisters that were not there before.
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