Handcrafted P-40 Warhawk Replica by Veteran Pilot Seeks New Custodian

Wayne Foster, an 88-year-old ex-fighter pilot of the Royal Canadian Air Force, is preparing to part wiht a remarkable aviation treasure: a meticulously built two-thirds scale replica of the legendary P-40 warhawk. This aircraft, adorned in the distinctive 1940 Desert camouflage of the RAF’s famed 112 Squadron, embodies decades of passion and craftsmanship.

A Lifelong Commitment to Aviation and Service

Foster began his military journey in 1956 when he joined the Canadian Forces. Throughout his extensive career, he served in multiple capacities including naval operations and an electronic warfare unit based in Montreal.His service also included a three-year overseas deployment stationed in France.

Nicknamed “Butch” during his naval tenure to differentiate him from other Waynes on his squadron, Foster refined his skills as a fighter pilot through countless hours mastering aerial combat techniques.

The Intensity and Skill Behind Dogfighting

Close-range tactical air battles-known as dogfighting-were central to Foster’s flying experience. He learned these complex maneuvers primarily through hands-on training flights where errors were instructive rather than fatal. His expertise eventually lead him to instruct U.S. Air Force pilots on dogfighting tactics while piloting high-performance jets such as the T-38 Talon.

A Moment Among Aviation Legends

A standout memory from Foster’s career was briefly sharing airspace with Chuck Yeager-the iconic test pilot who first broke the sound barrier in 1947. Attempting an unexpected “bounce” attack maneuver against Yeager proved unsuccessful due to Yeager’s superior speed but left lasting impressions that Foster fondly recalls today.

The Replica That preserves History

Although wayne never flew an original P-40 Warhawk during active duty-he did pilot similar aircraft like P-51 Mustangs-the replica serves as both homage and tangible link to that golden era of aviation history. Currently housed inside a Quonset hut near Calgary’s Indus area, this handcrafted warbird stands ready for its next chapter.

The Aircraft’s Condition and Prospective Ownership

Pieter Terblanche,responsible for maintaining this unique plane over time,confirms it remains structurally sound despite years of storage and exposure. Pieter notes that any restoration work can be completed efficiently depending on what future owners desire.

The asking price for this exceptional warbird is $45,000-a valuation reflecting not only its expert craftsmanship but also its rich ancient significance beyond mere market value.

A family’s Viewpoint on Letting Go

Foster’s daughter Tracy explains that while their initial hope was for her father’s creation to find refuge within a museum collection, numerous private buyers have shown interest instead-some offering surprisingly low bids accompanied by quirky incentives like cases of beer or confusion over whether it was a remote-controlled model rather than full-scale aircraft.

“Selling this labor-of-love feels like bidding farewell to an old friend,” says Wayne about parting with decades worth of memories embedded within every rivet welded onto this extraordinary project.”

An Enduring Legacy Beyond Flight Time

Though Wayne has long been reserved about sharing many details from his fighter pilot days throughout most of his life, advancing age seems encouraging him toward openness about those experiences now-stories etched not only into history books but also into every inch of this remarkable warplane replica he painstakingly built by hand.

• Date joined Canadian Forces: 1956; served across navy & electronic warfare units;
• International Deployment: Three years stationed in france plus training U.S pilots;
• Piloting Highlights:Taught dogfighting tactics; flew T-38 Talon jets; brief encounter with Chuck Yeager;
• P-40 Replica Details: Two-thirds scale model painted RAF Desert colours; stored near Calgary;
• selling Price:$45K reflecting heritage value & expert craftsmanship;

This handcrafted warbird stands not just as tribute but testament-to courage under pressure above battlefields worldwide-and now awaits someone eager to preserve its story for generations fascinated by aviation history’s golden age amid rapidly evolving aerospace technology today.