21 May 2026
So what’s a warbird? Any aircraft with a military purpose at some point in its life, is what we’ve gone for. But not the £MultiMillion exotica like Spitfires and Hurricanes – something an ordinary pilot could own outright or have a share.
Ian has plumped for the Chipmunk, of course, because the subject is inspired by this week’s International Gathering of Chipminks at Halfpenny Green (Wolverhampton) which will celebrate the aircraft’s first flight 80 years ago.
Take one Piper Cub J34, paint it drab green rather than bright yellow and you have the L4, an aerial reconnaissance aircraft used across the European theatre during WW11. Ed loves a Cub, so that’s his choice.
Dave found an absolutely gorgeous Boeing Stearman PT-17 dating from 1941. The big biplane was a primary trainer and almost all US pilots and 10,000 British pilots learnt the basics. It’s big, brash and very, very tough.
Next webinar: Gliding activity in shared skies with Pete Stratten of the British Gliding Association. It’s at 7pm, Wednesday 27 May and open to all. Find it on FLYER’s YouTube channel
Historic & Classic (Stearman and L4) https://historicandclassicaircraftsales.com/
Pilot Careers Live North https://www.pilotcareernews.com/live/uk-manchester-11-july-2026/
