The U.S.-based “Friends of Jenny” nonprofit organization has unveiled its newly restored de Havilland DH.4.
As previously reported, the machine, which is believed to be the last DH.4 airframe in North America, has been restored to airworthy condition in order to “honor the memory of the Americans who built her, who flew in her, and who died in her.”
The project saw the aircraft restored by “cadres of professionals and aficionados” and was endorsed by the WW1 Centennial Commission. The final product boasts a V-12 Liberty engine and markings representing DH.4 #6 of 50 Squadron, the machine flown by Lt. Harold E. Goettler and Lt. Erwin R. Bleckley when they gave their lives during a heroic mission on September 12, 1918, posthumously earning them both the Medal of Honor. [continue reading…]
The restoration of Friends of Jenny’s Curtiss JN-4 reproduction 38262 is nearing completion and the machine is reportedly being readied for its “coming out” party in College Park, Maryland on August 9.
This particular Jenny was built by a team of workers over a 16-month period beginning in June 2012. Constructed from original drawings, it employs a GMC V8 engine rather than an OX5 or Hisso and had appeared at numerous events until performing an emergency landing in August 2017.
The aircraft is currently scheduled to participate in the Centennial Air Mail festivities at College Park Aviation Museum on August 10-11. Friends of Jenny’s event page notes that the machine will “reenact the original air mail route as it was first developed by the U.S. Postal Service between Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City,” with plans to depart College Park for Republic Field, NYC on August 12. Festivities will reportedly take place along the way including “N. Philadelphia and over flight of former Bustleton Field” followed by “New York aviation activities including Cradle of Aviation Museum” on August 13 and 14.
Click below to check out recent photos of the restoration progress.
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This year’s EAA AirVenture fly-in will reportedly commemorate the final year of WW1 with period aircraft, flying displays and activities.
Related activities will reportedly take place throughout the week, with a special emphasis on Friday, July 27. Among the aircraft slated to appear at the event is a rare 1915 Bleriot reproduction in Royal Flying Corps colors, aircraft from the Kermit Weeks/Fantasy of Flight collection and a original Dayton-Wright DH.4 currently under restoration by the nonprofit “Friends of Jenny” along with Tennessee high school students.
The WWI programming will be primarily based in the vintage aircraft parking area on the AirVenture flightline. Along with the aircraft on display from the 1915-1918 era, there will be WWI re-enactors and static engine runs. In addition, WWI-era aircraft, aircraft owners, and historians will participate in forums and Vintage in Review session throughout the week. A number of the aircraft will also be displayed at various times on AirVenture’s showcase Boeing Plaza.
AirVenture 2018 is scheduled to take place from July 23-29 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Additional details will reportedly be announced as they are finalized.
(via EAA Top Photo: Kermit Weeks Hangar)
