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10 Airplanes You Won’t Believe are Still Flying

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Key Takeaways:

  • The article showcases a selection of rare and vintage aircraft that, contrary to common belief, are still actively flying thanks to the dedication of enthusiasts and preservation efforts.
  • These "survivor" aircraft span various eras and types, from early pioneering designs and World War II fighters to unique business jets and experimental prototypes.
  • Each featured aircraft, such as the Avro Vulcan, Bell P-63 Kingcobra, and Blériot XI, represents a unique piece of aviation history kept alive for demonstration and historical preservation.
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Dead or alive? Just as with certain celebrities who have been around for so long we might forget whether they’re still with us, or not, airplanes of a certain vintage can be hard to keep track of. How many, if any, of a long abandoned design are still flying? Sadly, the answer most often is, “none.” But sometimes you get a nice surprise, and thanks to the dedicated work of a few fanatics, a number of rare birds are still taking wing. With that in mind, here’s a small collection of airplanes that you probably thought were dead (or at least permanently mounted to a post in the ground) but which happily are still flying up a vintage storm.

FLYING Staff

FLYING Magazine is a one-stop resource for everything aviation, including news, training, aircraft, gear, careers, photos, videos, and more.

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