Fighter Factory in Virginia Beach and Suffolk, VA

[dlindley]

Figured this was a group of Suffolk/Virginia Beach that needed their own topic. Since most of their aircraft are flyable, I am sure alot of people have seen their birds at airshows on the east coast, of course including NAS Oceana. Starting things off, a few shots from their airport in Virginia Beach.

[M.M.]

 

Drew, are they open as a museum or were you a "special guest?"

-M.M.

[dlindley]

I guess I would say neither. From my understanding the hangers in Virginia Beach are on private land and a private air strip. Visitors are welcome, and they have hours they are open to the public, but not encourgaged like a museum. So I guess, they kind of fall in the middle. Here are a few shots of the non-flying aircraft. The I-15, as well as an I-16 could have flown in, but from some reason about landing on a grass field were trucked in.

[Rob W.]

Seems like Russian warbirds might be the up and coming thing these days...

Thanks for the images, looking good!

[dlindley]

Just a couple more from me. I believe that this raider is the one that flew the heritage flight at the Oceana show this year. The second shot is from the second floor of the hanger of the "Navy" side. Left out to the right would be the f4u. The other side includes their p-40, hurricane, spit, and other aircraft. Lastly, thanks for the comments.

[Rob W.]

Thanks for posting these!  All those old Navy aircraft.  Do they fly them regularly?   

Cheers,
Rob

[dlindley]

Not sure how often they fly. I do know that they make alot events on the east coast. Here are a couple of shots of the corsair that showed up as a surprise guest at an EAA fly-in this year. She was the "belle of the ball", as my uncle said.

[dlindley]

Last few for the night. I guess in Virginia Beach the dolphin is the city mascot. Fighter Factory has done a corsair version of this mascot.

[Liza]

Warbirds over the Beach is a military aviation museum better known as the Fighter Factory. They have two locations, Virginia Beach and Suffolk. The VA Beach hangar is a showcase of flyable warbirds kept in mint condition. The Suffolk location has two hangars where the work gets done. The people involved in preserving these birds are very proud of what they do, very friendly, and willing to give tours at the drop of a hat. More info at www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org or www.fighterfactory.com.  If you go to Suffolk, watch for Spitfire the cat. She is the hangar queen and has many stories.

More pics to be posted at www.pbase.com/photozbyliza/fighter_factory













The B-25 in the last photo, Wild Cargo, will be flyable in a couple months. She didn't see combat, but was used for hauling animals and other contraband.

[Liza]

More photos from the Suffolk location to come. 

Another shot of Wild Cargo. The artwork to be painted on the nose will include a woman in a loin clothe.

[CrashRescue]

Saw 1 plane flying out there today

[Liza]

Jerry Yagen spoke today about the pieces in the museum and in restoration. Very interesting. When it was over, the Corsair and a couple others flew. The rain held off long enough.

[b1lancer]

that AVG WARHAWK is a nice picture, also love the mustang. great pictures!!!

[Liza]

Double Trouble II went for a flight today...







Spoke with Jerry Yagen today and he said the building of the new hangar will begin on Monday.