Today, December 17th, 2013, John Magoffin put one thing right in aviation; he returned a Lockheed Vega to the air. Others exist but they do not fly and that is important. Without the roar, a lion is not a lion; mounted heads do not make a zoo and static airframes do not make an airport. A plane that does not fly cannot stir the soul. For John though that will not be an issue. This beauty is sure to turn heads and stir emotion wherever it lands.
As the only flying Vega in the world, I'm sure it will! Here's a video report of the first flight. I recommend watching it in full-screen mode.
You may have noted in the video clip that the pilot was making a rocking motion as he pumped at something with his left hand. That was the wobble pump, supplying fuel to the engine. You can read an explanation of how it works and see an animation illustrating its operation at the link. I guess most pilots who've trained since World War II have never encountered one, but in the Vega's heyday, it was high technology! Here's a picture of the restored Vega's cockpit instruments and controls, including the wobble pump (behind the throttle quadrant).
There are more photographs here, showing the restoration in progress. In fact, the entire Antique Airfield Web site offers engrossing browsing for those interested in aviation history. Recommended.
Peter
