Category: WW1 Era (1914-18)

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Red Baron’s 80 Victories Recreated in “Lavishly Illustrated” New Book

Coming soon from Pen and Sword Military and author Thomas La Padula is The Red Baron’s Kills: An Illustrated Portrayal of Manfred von Richthofen’s Victories, a lavish, illustrated study that recreates combat moments and varied aircraft through original artwork and clear, graphic timelines.

…Using original source material the author recreates the moment in combat when the Red Baron shot down each of his victories to make him the leading ace of the First World War. Of special interest is the fact that the Red Baron flew a variety of aircraft other than his famous all red Fokker Dr.l. triplane. The paintings will provide a visual scene along with descriptive text to explain the situations behind each victory or kill in a clear, graphic timeline.

The 192 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for November 30.

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New Two Volume Series Details Vickers Aircraft of WW1 With Drawings, Photos, Color Profiles

Newly released from Aeronaut Books and author is Colin Owers is a two volume series on Vickers aircraft of WW1:

The story of how the Vickers, Sons and Maxim Ltd, heavy armament manufacturers, entered aeronautical manufacturing when the military potential of aviation became apparent, is told in these two volumes. Vickers aircraft were soon flying, originally being based on the French REP monoplane. Then in 1913 they exhibited what could well be the first British aircraft designed from the start as a fighting machine with a forward firing machine gun. This was developed into the F.B.5, better known as the ‘Gun Bus’. They were in service as soon as the war broke out in 1914 and for a while were successful. The advent of the synchronised machine gun fighter saw Vickers machines fall out of favour. They built many interesting prototypes but only three were manufactured in small series.

The Company produced some of the fastest aircraft of their time and in a civil world would have achieved fame; however, they were not suited to the evolving aerial battlefield. The Vimy bomber of 1918 was a sensation, lifting a greater bombload the Handley Page O/400 on less power. The end of hostilities meant that no Vimy flew on operations in WWI but it went onto a long career in the RAF and in civil hands in its Vernon version.

The story of this remarkable company is told in detail including contemporary drawings from official manuals and reports. Volume 1 has 182 photos, 30 color profiles, and scale drawings of 3 aircraft in its 207 pages. Volume 2 has 221 photos, 33 color profiles, and scale drawings of 3 aircraft within its 214 pages.

The two volumes, Vickers Aircraft of WWI: Volume 1: E.F.B – F.B.12 and Vickers Aircraft of WWI: Volume 2: F.B.14 – Valentia Flying Boat are currently available in paperback format.

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Product Page (Volume 2)

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Flying Pianos: The Eccentric Birth of British Aviation

Coming soon from Oneworld Publications and author Charles Spicer is Flying Pianos: The Eccentric Birth of British Aviation, which surveys the transformation of flight from genteel gentleman’s hobby to terrifying military force.

In the first few decades of the twentieth century British aviators went from gliding a handful of yards to crossing the Atlantic. Journeying from perilous ‘cotton-and-hope’ prototypes to the Spitfire, Flying Pianos…

Charles Spicer meets the cast of colourful characters who helped Britain take flight. There’s Hugh ‘Boom’ Trenchard, eccentric ‘father’ of the RAF; the glamorous Harriet Quimby – journalist, screenwriter and record-breaking pilot; and Grahame Christie, passionate aviator, spy and uneasy acquaintance of Hermann Göring. Charting the soaring highs and catastrophic lows of this technological revolution, Flying Pianos tells the remarkable tale of how Britain took to the skies.

The 400 page, hardcover book is currently available for pre-order with release set for October 1.

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First Look: Test Build of Mdesign’s Upcoming 1/32 LVG B.II

Mdesign has released test build images of their soon to be released L.V.G. B.II in 1/32 scale.

The B.II was an early German two-seat, unarmed reconnaissance biplane of the First World War, developed from the pre-war L.V.G. B.I and entering service in 1915. It used a 120 hp Mercedes D.II inline engine and incorporated an upper-wing cutout to improve the pilot’s upward visibility; although it performed scouting and reconnaissance work early in the war, the lack of defensive armament soon made it obsolete at the front, so it was employed chiefly as a trainer.

As of this writing details are limited, although the kit will reportedly include masks and decals with options for a second variant manufactured by Otto and armed with a Madsen machine gun. Check out additional images below.

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Early Bird Jenny For Sale: “Beautifully Built, Flies Wonderfully”

An Early Bird Jenny (reduced scale Curtiss Jenny) has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Jenny replica beautifully built, flies wonderfully. Continental A 75 engine runs flawlessly and low time. A great way to learn taildragger flying in this airplane. Cheap to own and fly.

The aircraft is located in Simpsonville, South Carolina and is currently available for US $14,950, although bids are also being accepted. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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MikroMir Releases New Tool 1/32 DFW T.28 Floh Model Kit

MikroMir has released a new tool model kit of the DFW T.28 Floh in 1/32 scale.

The Floh was a tiny German biplane fighter prototype from 1915, designed by Hermann Dorner and built by Deutsche Flugzeug-Werke as a fast interceptor. Despite its compact, unusual shape, it could reach about 180 km/h with a 100 hp Mercedes engine. Its poor forward visibility and tricky landing behavior made it difficult to fly, and after prototype testing it never entered service and was eventually abandoned.

The new release (32-007) includes plastic and photo-etched parts as well as decals for the prototype machine, which was the only example ever constructed. Click below to check out box contents and the product page.

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Build Log: Golden Age Reproductions Albatros D.Va [Video]

The latest build log on our YouTube channel DX Modelworks focuses on this 1/20 scale Albatros D.Va.

The model was built using Dudley / Golden Age Reproductions plans and represents an OAW variant wearing the colors of the machine flown by Karl Kallmunzer of Jasta 78b. The new video concisely details the project with photo documentation and tips that will likely be helpful to anyone who would like to build the model themselves. A link to the plans is also provided in the video description.

Click below to check it out. If you’re pleased with what you see, please consider browsing the channel’s other build logs covering aircraft from the dawn of flight through the golden age. Likes, shares and subscribes are also greatly appreciated!

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Replica Plans SE5a For Sale: “Great Condition, Ready to Fly”

A Replica Plans SE5a ultralight has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

Ready to fly SE5A ultralight Biplane; One seater 250lb useful load; Electric start 40hp 2stroke international engine; Only 25hrs total time on engine and airplane. This is a 7/8 scale kit built from scale replica plans. This airplane has a metal frame for both the wing and fuse and it’s covered in fabric. No wood! Overall its in great condition. Just finishing the annual it has a Brand new propeller just installed, New tubes and tires, New battery and all New fuel lines. It Has nav lights and 2 strobes. It Fits up to a 6’5” pilot.

The aircraft is located in Valdosta, Georgia and is currently available for US $14,000. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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Sopwith Camel Goes on Display at Pima Air & Space Museum

This week Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona placed their new Sopwith Camel on display.

The reproduction was originally constructed in Europe by John Shaw utilizing original drawings. A flight test was conducted in September 2017 which saw the machine reach roughly 150 ft before its original Clerget rotary engine “coughed and stopped,” resulting in a “heavy landing.” Thankfully Shaw escaped the incident, but the Camel suffered significant damage.

It was acquired by Pima in 2018 and restored for static display wearing the colors of a
Camel flown by Lt. Alfred John Haines of 45 Squadron in late 1918. It is again fitted with an original Clerget from the Pima collection.

For additional details on this aircraft, check out issues 1, 5 and 28 of The Flying Machine journal. For details on John Shaw’s second Sopwith Camel, check out issues 14 and 23.

Click below to view additional images.

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7/8 Circa Reproductions Nieuport 17 For Sale

A 7/8 scale Nieuport 17 has been spotted for sale. The listing states (in part):

For sale, a Circa Reproductions C1 Nieuport 17, Canadian registration C-IRPV. 55 hours TT engine and airframe. Engine is a 65 HP VW built to Great Plains plans with vertex mag and rotec fuel injection (currently being installed). Full builders logs available on request.

The aircraft is located at Carp Airport (CYRP) near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and is currently available for bidding. Click here to check out the eBay listing, which includes additional photos and details.

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