Monday, December 15, 2008

Hawk One Goes Gold

And doesn't it look great! Now that the Cold Lake painters have worked their magic, Hawk One should return back to Quebec in early January 2009. (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Department of National Defence.)

Friday, December 12, 2008

Squadron Codes on RCAF Homefront Hurricanes

In many sources you often see squadron codes listed for both RCAF Homefront Hurricanes and their Squadrons. However, in all of my research I have yet to find a single picture of a RCAF Hurricane with both squadron codes and the individual aircraft code. (Please keep in mind that the photos of BV coded aircraft from 126 Squadron RCAF are Sea Hurricanes and not standard Hurricanes.) It seemed to me that unlike the RCAF Kittyhawks the Hurricanes didn't carry the squadron codes, only the single aircraft code. Well I was wrong. While searching through the Canada's Aviation Museum's Image Bank I found two photos. I'm not sure if they are new, or if I had somehow overlooked them in the past. Here we have two 128 Squadron RCAF Hurricane Xs with squadron codes. 1351 RA-A and 1380 RA-S. Both these accidents happened in the summer of 1942.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Avis 1/72 Hawker Audax Inbox Review

Here is an interesting kit I got on E-bay last week. The kit consists of five small sprues of injected plastic, an acetate for the windscreen and a sheet of decals with two options. The plastic parts are pretty nicely modeled for a short run kit. There is a little flash, but the detail is quite well done. The moldings kind of remind me of a cross between an ICM and a Roden kit. Decals are provided for a yellow and camouflage Audax trainer from 18 Elementary and Reserve Training School in 1938 and a 28 Squadron Audax in India in 1939. Price was right...under $20 including postage.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

New A Scale Canadian Terms of Service

As some of you may know, I have long been waging a personal war on 1/48 scale kits. They are a pox against humanity and need to be cleansed from the face of the earth. "Quarter inch" kits are the Devil Scale and should be banished. Don't ask why...it doesn't matter...just accept it. I've tried many ways to criminalize the Devil Scale, but I think I've finally found a way that will work. My friend Jeff Miller mentioned the Lori Drew case on his blog yesterday and linked to a few days old post on the Volokh Conspiracy. I had not heard about the Drew case, but it appears to have made new law. Rather then study the case and debate if it made new law, I'm just going to apply the precedent. (Heck I read it on the internet, it has to be true, right.) So here are the new A Scale Canadian Terms of Service.

1. 1/48 scale kits are the Devil Scale. By reading this blog you agree to only buy and build kits from the one true scale aka the Divine Scale, 1/72. Purchasing, building, ownership, transference, thinking about, or even reading an online review of a 1/48 scale kit violates A Scale Canadian's Terms of Service. As violations of website's Terms of Service are now felonies, Federal Marshals will be at your door any minute 1/48 builder. You will spend the rest of your years building snaptite 1/72 scale kits in Federal Prison using Testors non-toxic tube glue and breaking the parts off the sprues. You have been warned!
2. Multiple violations of Terms of Service Term 1 by the same modeler require the mandatory application of the death penalty. Ownership of one 1/48 scale kit is a crime against humanity, but ownership of multiple 1/48 scale kits violates the civil rights of all humans. We hold this truth to be self evident. No exceptions, no take-backs.
3. No images, words, knowledge, or intellectual property garnered from reading this blog may be used without the express written consent of J. Clifford Bates, Esq., Neil Young, and the Commissioners of Baseball Bart Giamatti and Kenesaw Mountain Landis.
4. Every reader of this blog must buy me lunch once per annum.
5. Oh and stop making fun of Canadians.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Sabre Photos 40 Years Apart

One of the photos of Hawk One taken last week reminds me of a photo of one of the last Sabres in CAF service taken 40 years earlier. I wonder if the photographer had this in mind, or if it was a happy accident? (Photos courtesy of the Canadian Department of National Defence.)

Sabre over the wilds of Canada 2008
Sabre over the wilds of Canada 1968

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

The Battle of the Barristers

Take two lawyer-modeler-bloggers, take two Academy F-8 Crusaders, a fixed due date of the IPMS/USA 2009 Nationals, and lots of trash talk...and what do you get? Well, we will find out. Recently I noticed David Knights mention he was interested in building an Academy F-8 Crusader. I too had been eyeing my Crusader. Somehow a challenge was issued, and now we have a Battle of the Barristers. The goal is to have both FINISHED Crusaders at the Nationals in Columbus. Somehow a winner will be picked and a Barrister Cup will be awarded. (David thinks such cup will be a trophy equal to Lord Stanley's Cup. Ok David, if that is the case, I can't wait to see you skate around a hockey rink with the Barrister Cup raised over you head...well if you win...) I hear David is doing some Yankee "Mig Killer." But being an aeronautical purist, I'm going to build a F-8 with much more savoir faire and a little je ne sai quois.

I started the kit Saturday night at our DSS meeting in Cleveland. I didn't get much done, but some of the parts have been removed from the sprues. It sure looks like a nice kit. I have the Eduard Zoom set, but I'm feeling this one might be out of the box. David and I are going to try to do weekly updates on our blogs, so watch this space. I'm sure come August we will both be down to the wire to finish our F-8s...

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Buzz Beurling on CBC radio

I've always been a fan of George Beurling and his feats in the skies above Malta. A friend and I have been e-mail back and forth about Beurling and the new Osprey book on Malta Spitfire Aces. I'll put up a review of the Osprey book in the next few days, but until then here is an interview with Beurling from CBC radio. I assume it was taped in 1944, but it was not aired until May 21, 1948, a day after Beurling's death in a Norseman crash in Italy. There is also a nice pic of Buzz with his RCAF Spitfire IX MH883 VZ-B of 412 Squadron.

Friday, November 21, 2008

This Week in Canadian Aviation

It has been a good week for Canadian aviation fans. A few things of note:

1. The Canadian Forces got their leased Mi-8s to help transport supplies in Afghanistan. The lease will last a year until the CAF's new Chinooks are in service. I've always been a fan of Russian Cold War aircraft, so I'm glad to have a reason to add a Mi-8 to my Canadian collection. I hear the Hobby Boss Mi-8 is a really nice kit, so I look forward to building a replica of a Mi-8 leased by the CAF from Sky Link of Toronto. (Photo courtesy of the Canadian Department of National Defence.)

2. The first flight of the long awaited Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone took place last Saturday in Florida. The Cyclone will replace the CH-124 Sea King which has been in service with the Canadian military since 1963. Sadly, it is unlikely that the Cyclone will enter CAF service until at least 2010.

3. The Hawk One Sabre C-GSBR arrived at Cold Lake, Alberta, yesterday for its Golden Hawks paint job. It was met on-route by AETE's colourful CF-188 188907. (Photos courtesy of the Canadian Department of National Defence/AETE.)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Some News from Telford

Once again, I didn't make it to Telford for the IPMS/UK ScaleModelWorld, but some news from the show is floating back across the pond. The most exciting news for me is that in addition to the previously announced new tool 1/72 Spitfire IX, Airfix will also be doing a new tool 1/72 Spitfire XIX. Almost as exciting is that Airfix are doing a new tool Sea Harrier FRS.1 and...drum roll please...Sea Harrier F/A.2. I am really looking forward to these releases, along with the previously announced 1/72 Hawks and Canberras. Airfix are also planning a new tool MiG-15 in 1/72. Interesting choice, and one I would have been really excited about a year ago, but it will be interesting to see how it compares to the new, and very nice, Hobby Boss MiG-15s. It is nice to see Airfix back and issuing new kits in 1/72. (For full disclosure Airfix also have a new 1/72 -109G, and a 1/48 Sea Vixen on the boards for 2009.)

Hannants had announced just before the show that they would a "previously unannounced" Xtrakit available at the show. Turns out it is a Sea Harrier F/A.2. As is common for Xtrakit kit was tooled by MPM/Special Hobby, and technically isn't "previously unannounced," as Special Hobby as had a SHAR2 on their new release list for a year or so. I immediately put one on order as I am a huge Harrier fan and have long wanted a Sea Harrier F/A.2 for the collection. Sadly, after doing so, first reports are the kit isn't really up to the usual MPM standard, and it may be best to wait for the new Airfix kit... I'll report back when I get my copy.

P.S.: In other great Spitfire news, it appears that Sweet is doing a 1/144 Spitfire IX. Sweet!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Bolingbrokes and the Son of Lassie

Here we find a very interesting excerpt from the 1945 film "Son of Lassie." Forget the dog...though you see him running in one shot...and focus on all the RCAF heavy iron. Venturas and Kittyhawks in the background and Bolingbrokes front and center. Notice the Bolingbrokes have some interesting markings applied for the movie. These scenes were shot at Patricia Bay in British Columbia. One interesting tidbit is that the RCAF transferred the nose section of Bolingbroke RCAF # 710 to MGM for use in the movie.

Monday, October 20, 2008

2008 IPMS Cincinnati Contest and Swap Meet

On Saturday I attended the 2008 edition of the Cincinnati Contest and Swap Meet. Again hosted at Scarlet Oaks in Sharonville, the show was slightly smaller then the 2007 edition, but it was still great fun. Well done Cincinnati guys and I enjoyed the tie-dye "uniforms." I look forward to next year. Here are a few aircraft that caught my eye.

One of my favorites at the show was this 1/72 EF-111:

Two nice 1/72 Mustang racers:

I'm not a -109 fan, but I did like this little two seat Avia:
It is not often you see a built up Azur Cierva autogyro on the table:
A nice 1/72 Westland Whirlwind:
Wow, a vacuform Argosy:
Two nice 1/48 T-28s on the table:

Another nice 1/48 trainer was this Monogram SNJ:
A nice 1/48 scale Spitfire in a unique scheme:
I don't build 1/32, but I'm always tempted by the 1/32 Trumpeter kit:

Sunday, October 19, 2008

RCAF Spitfire pilot Charley Fox passes away

I opened my e-mail this morning to find a message from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association stating that CHAA member and former RCAF Spitfire pilot Charley Fox passed away yesterday at 88 years young. Charley was involved in a car accident after leaving the CHAA hangar and passed away on the scene.

I'd had the chance to talk to Charlie a few times over the years at Geneseo and had just posted a review of a new book about his life. He will be missed and future Geneseo shows and other Canadian aviation events just won't be the same without him.

UPDATE: A good story about Charley's life in the London Free Press.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Ugh...it happened again...and a few new kits

Next Saturday is the Cincinnati Contest and Swap Meet. Mark Smith and I attended last year and had a great time. (Somehow I even won an award...) We've been planning to go for months, so you would think I'd have a few things finished for the show, right? Wrong! Once again, I've failed to finish anything over the summer and early fall. I've got tons of models that are almost done, but I'll have nothing to take to the show. I've pissed away most of my modeling time...again... What a loser. (Btw, I'm of the opinion, that while I could care less about contests and winning trophies, I like to enter something at every show I attend. I feel you get more out of these shows if you participate.) I've got the 24 hour tank that just needs a little bit of assembly and I started the new Accurate Miniatures Predator last night and already have the major parts assembled, but usually my modeling time is limited during the week. So there is a slight chance I won't attend empty handed, but I wouldn't bet on me.

I did pick up a few new kits on Friday. Here are a few first thoughts:

Accurate Miniatures Predator UAV: This is the AM rebox of the Platz kit. A nice simple model. The decal sheet has options to do any USAF Predator, but I have other ideas. The molding is nice, it has some surface texture and a little flash. That being said this is the perfect quick build.

Revell Germany Gannet: After the disappointing Trumpeter Gannet we finally have the Revell Gannet. It looks nice in the box. It is more detailed then the Trumpeter kit, and the shape looks better; plus it is cheaper. The clear parts are very thin and very clear. The only bad news is that there is too much flash for a brand new kit and while the bomb bay has some nice detail...there is nothing to put it in. The decals look pretty good with one FAA and one German option. One other odd feature is that it appears Revell AG have hired the son of the old Airfix moving flying surfaces guy...yep this kit issued in 2008 has moving control surfaces...

Trumpeter Lightning F.6: I'm not a big Trumpeter fan. Most of their 1/72 kits I've seen fall into the close but no cigar category. Their kits lack the finesse of the top of the line model makers and they usually have some silly mistakes...not to mention the high price tags. That being said the Lightning looks excellent. Nice molding, and nice detail. In fact it kind of looks like a scaled down version of the 1/48 Airfix Lighting. The decals look normal for Trumpeter...ok I guess. The only bad news is the price. I paid almost $30 for a 1/72 scale jet. Ouch. I look forward to tearing into this one soon.

Trumpeter CH-47D Chinook: This kit falls squarely into the close but no cigar Trumpeter category. It looks like an ok kit, but for the price I expected more. For example the mating surfaces on the fuselage halves are not flat and one or both of them are a little warped. All in all, it is probably a better place to start then the Italeri kit, but it just doesn't inspire me like the plastic in the Lightning box does.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

RCAF B-25 Crash - You've got to be kidding me!

Could this possibly be the best story ever about a crashed B-25? An RCAF Mitchell full of Nazi gold, cash, and the "Spear of Destiny" leaves Saskatchewan and crashes near Pitt Lake, B.C. Wowie. The only problem is that none of it is true. But don't let reality get in the way of a good Indiana Jones/DiVinci Code story. Plus that disembodied computer voice is not only spooky, but laughable.



(Yes RCAF Mitchell # 5246 did take off from Saskatoon on February 16, 1953, and yes it did crash near Pitt Lake, B.C., but all the rest is one of the most implausible and silly conspiracy theories I've ever heard. Like for example why would the "Spear of Destiny be in Saskatoon in the first place? Hey, maybe the Holly Grail is really hidden in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Someone should check that out...)

Friday, October 10, 2008

Day of the Flying Fox


One of the highlights each year of the Geneseo airshow is the chance to hear ex-RCAF Spitfire pilot Charley Fox's "colour commentary." Not only goes Charley talk about the aircraft in the show, and his intake of water during the show, but he tells stories of his service both in Europe and Canada with the RCAF in World War Two. Mr. Fox had a very interesting career first as a Harvard instructor and then as a Spitfire pilot in Europe. Day of the Flying Fox by Steve Pitt is a rather interesting book that gathers many of Charley's stories together in print. I think Mr. Pitt intended this book as a children's or young adult's book as it has many sidebars entitled Wordplay, Fascinating Facts, and the occasional Frightening Fact. If you ignore some of these rather basic sidebars, what you find is a rather breezy but interesting read about Charley's wartime exploits. It includes his mid air with a Hurricane in Canada, an attack on a German staff car that may have contained Rommel, his flight testing of a FW-190, a very bizarre friend fire incident involving a P-51 Mustang, and his participation in the last 126 Wing combat op of World War Two. I also enjoyed the fact that Charley's time as an instructor in Canada was not overlooked. Usually books such as this tend to give the BCATP a short shift and focus on combat operations, but Pitt did a great job weaving in both facets of Mr. Fox's flying career. I did find it rather annoying that the author referred to the North American Yale as a BT-9 a few times. A Yale is a Yale, but if you must try to apply a U.S. designation to it, it is closer to a BT-14 rather then a BT-9. This minor quibble aside, it was an enjoyable read and one that RCAF and Spitfire fans should check out.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Handley Page Hampden in Canada

My guess is that this was shot at Aylmer, Ontario. As usual, Harvards feel the need to hog the spotlight... (And rightfully so...)



It looks like we are due a new 1/72 Hampden from Valom in the very near future. I don't own a Airfix Hampden so I'd like one, but I have a feeling it will be priced out of my league. (I got sticker shock when I saw the prices for the recent Valom early Marauders. I think I'll follow through with my Monogram/Airfix kitbash for an early Marauder.)

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Wings Over the Rockies Air Museum

While in Denver, Heather and I visited the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum located on the site of the former Lowry Air Force Base. Now mostly a residential and shopping area, the Museum has a few interesting aircraft in their collection.

The star of the collection is James Axtell's FG-1D Corsair N194G BuNo. 92050. It has some rather interesting racing modifications including radically clipped wings and wooden ailerons. I wonder if it ever flew with these modifications?





The other rare gem in the collection is Douglas B-18A Bolo s/n 39-025.



This French Nord 2302 N2254R was a pleasant surprise.


Every Museum needs a Piper J-3 Cub. This is N42427.


Another very rare bird is NC2568, an 1926 Alexander Eaglerock.


Finally we have a Beechcraft AT-11 s/n 42-37496. While it was built as an AT-11, it is on display as a C-45.


Flying Banana anyone? This nice banana is Boeing-Vertol H-21 Shawnee s/n 55-4218.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

I Don't Want to Be Left Out - Two Modeling Tips!

Recently David and Chris have posted modeling tips. I don't want to be left out, and since they each posted one tip, I will outdo them and post two.

Burn Baby Burn
Most modelers use washes to weather parts and to emphasis panel lines. Acrylic sludge washes are common, as are watercolour washes. However, many modelers like to use artist oil paints. You have a few options to thin your oil paints for washes, and the use of Turpenoid is quite common. However, I prefer to use Naptha lighter fluid. (The brand name on my bottle is Ronsonol.) The lighter fluid thins the paint very well, it evaporates quite fast so it shouldn't damage underlying the paint, and it is also very thin, which allows for very precise application into panel lines. Not to mention when you decide to end it all, just spray the Ronsonal all over your work bench and kits, light a match...and...well... modeling will no longer be a problem...

Let It Flow
Like Polly Scale's choice of colours and easy availability in most hobby shops? Hate how they airbrush? Well check out Liquitex Flow Aid. I add eight or so drops to every jar of Polly Scale when I open it. The Flow Aid improves how the paint goes on by brush. I've also noticed that if you thin the Polly Scale with 40% to 50% Tamiya thinner and add a drop or two of the Flow Aid that you can get the Polly Scale to spray without tip clogs. Oh joy!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Some Nice Vintage Golden Hawks Footage

I wish I got to see these guys in person.

While it won't be six Sabres in formation, look for the Hawk One Sabre to reappear in Golden Hawks paint in the next month or so in order to be ready for Canada's Centennial of Flight next year.

Maybe I need to finish the Hobby Boss Sabre...in gold...

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Hasegawa Lancaster "Rescue Unit"


Above is the box art for the newest boxing of the pretty nice "new tool" Hasegawa 1/72 Lancaster released few years back. Notice the RCAF markings. Occasionally Hasegawa have issued kits with (R)CAF decals and decal accuracy has been uniformly poor. Sadly, based upon the box art you can add the Lancaster to the list. A few years ago I assisted decal artist Jennings Helig when he was working on an Xtradecal sheet for the same aircraft. Jennings originally had the fuselage flash as red as well, until I mentioned it was blue. A colour photo in Larry Milberry's Canada's Air Force At War and Peace Vol 3 clearly illustrates that FM104 had a blue fuselage flash. (See here for a photo of FM213 in the same scheme.) I'm not sure where the idea of the red flash originated but clearly Hasegawa has copies someone's previous error. It is also my understanding that Hasegawa used International Orange for the Rescue Band, this should be dayglo orange, and used a light blue for the RCAF roundels, this should be normal roundel blue. I have yet to see the actual decal sheet, but I will guess that the maple leafs will be misshapen, as Hasegawa has yet to get the RCAF leaf correct. Also, I wonder if Hasegawa has provided additional parts to build the under fuselage radar dome? It is not in the plastic on the standard kit. Also keep in mind that RCAF aircraft has little bulged SAR windows just before the horizontal stabilizers and these were different in location and construction then the similar windows on RAF aircraft.

There is one point on the scheme that is still in question. In the photo referenced above it is hard to tell if the hi-viz panels on the wings and horizontal stabilizers are red or dayglo orange. Jennings is of the opinion they are red and that is how he illustrated them on the decal sheet. I'm not 100% sure. They sure look like dayglo orange on FM213, and I would assume that they were the same on FM104. Anyone know for sure?

What is really sad about this situation is that Hasegawa had previously boxed the Lancaster kit as FM104 in a later scheme. In that boxing they contracted Leading Edge models to do the decals and resin necessary for the aircraft. As is usual, Leading Edge did an excellent job on the decals, and that boxing is an excellent buy for the RCAF modeler. I wish Hasegawa had again contracted Leading Edge for this boxing rather then doing a poor job using their in house staff.

If you wish to model FM104 in these markings, I suggest you buy a cheaper boxing of the Hasegawa kit, or the new Revell kit, and pick up the Xtradecal sheet. That way you can accurately model FM104 in this scheme.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Malta Spitfires in Colour...but what colour is it?

One of the longstanding questions for modelers is what colour were the top surfaces repainted on the Spitfires Vcs flown off the USS Wasp as part of Operation Calendar in 1942. Honestly, I think this is a question that might never be definitively answered and the modeler just has to make his or how own choice and be prepared to defend it. In my opinion it was probably Light Mediterranean Blue (or at least Humbrol's representation of it...strangely marked Azure Blue), though the suggestion of Insignia Blue has considerable merit. Either way, here is some neat colour footage of Spitfires on Malta. I think these are later aircraft from 249 Squadron with Extra Dark Sea Grey on the uppersurfaces...but I'm ready to be proven wrong...

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Thumbs Up to Hawkeye's Hobbies

Earlier in the year I purchased some SNJ natural metal paints from Hawkeye's Hobbies and set them aside for later use. (Yea there is a surprise...see how much modeling I've written about recently...) About a month or so ago I dug them out to use on a 1/144 Trumpeter Sabre and I was disappointed to find the unopened paint had solidified into a rubbery mess. Last week I contacted Hawkeye's Hobbies about the issue and owner Gerald Voigt promised to send out replacement paints. The replacements arrived yesterday and are in much better shape. I hope to try them out on the Hobby Boss Sabre this weekend.

So thumbs up to Gerald Voigt and Hawkeye's Hobbies for excellent customer service. You don't see good service today as much as you should and I feel that I should highlight Gerald and Hawkeye's for being one hobby vendor who still provides great service.

P.S.: Hawkeye's has a very nice website with lots of tips and nicely made models. They also have one of the few modeling blogs I've run across. Both are worth a look.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Tri-State Warbird Museum FG-1D Corsair Restoration

One of the most interesting displays at the Tri-State Warbird Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio, is the Corsair restoration project based upon Goodyear built FG-1D BuNo. 92132. Now registered N3466G this Corsair, which was built in Akron, Ohio, has spent most of its life in storage. The FG did not see combat and was retained in the U.S. Post-war it was on display with the Air Museum at various California locations. In the 1970s it was sold to David Tallichet and became a television star. After being brought back to airworthy shape, it was flown for the TV show "Baa Baa Black Sheep." Once filming wrapped up, the Corsair was placed in storage first in California, and then in Illinois. A few years ago the project was placed on the market and the aircraft was purchased by the Tri-State Warbird Museum. Since that time the airplane has been under a slow but methodical restoration back to airworthy condition. As this Corsair has not been previously restored in civilian life, and as it is a complete aircraft and not a wreak, it is a unique time capsule and will one day look stunning when it takes to the air.

Restoration has focused on the wings and the tail section. The center section is on display in the Museum in its unrestored state.





Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Azur 1/72 Fleet Finch

Because of work commitments we had to cancel our trip to Virginia Beach for the IPMS/USA National Convention earlier in the month. I did however follow the posts, discussions, and photos online as most modelers do. Little of the new stuff announced or available at the show really excited me. However, last week I got a newsletter from Greatmodels and they mention Azur is doing a Fleet Finch in 1/72. Cool!

Fleet Finch box art

I can't wait to get my hands on a couple of these. I know Planet did a resin Fleet Finch a few years ago, and I do have one in the collection, but I would rather work in plastic then resin.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Tri-State Warbird Museum - The Flyers

Back in October while attending the Cincinnati Scale Modelers' Contest and Swap Meet, Matt and I took a side trip to the Clermont County Airport to visit the Tri-State Warbird Museum. It was a little hangar of some nicely restored airplanes, though it wasn't much of a Museum. Here are a few of the flying aircraft on display. (And yes I realize it is August and I took this pics in October...I'm a little slow...)

Ex-Royal Canadian Navy TBM-3E BuNo. 53420/N420GP was forlornly stuck in the corner.
TB-25N s/n 45-8898/N898BW "Axis Nightmare."

Every Museum needs a PT-17 Stearman. This is N224DF.
The Museum flagship is P-51D N83KD "Cincinnatti Miss" with the assumed identity of s/n 44-84410.

AT-6 s/n 42-84779/N7RK masquerading as "Tweety" the SNJ-5.

Later in the week I'll post some photos of the Corsair restoration project.

Since our visit the Museum has added a Strikemaster, FW-190 recreation, and a P-40 project to the collection. I'm not sure how they fit all the new additions in the hangar.