Category: WW1 Era (1914-18)

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WW1 Aircraft Manufacturer TVAL Seeks Engine Overhaul Technician

The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. (TVAL) has listed a vacancy for an engine overhaul technician.

The New Zealand-based aircraft restoration and manufacturing company strives to build “WW1 aircraft, engines and propellers to the same exacting standards they were originally made over 90 years ago,” while also working to “look after, and operate, the WW1 aircraft owned by the 1914-1918 Aviation Heritage Trust.”

The organization is seeking “a qualified engine reconditioner with preferably 3+ years post qualification experience.” Ideal candidates would possess experience with vintage and antique engines and welding. The listing states that the position may suit “a fitter/turner or someone familiar with machine shop tools and equipment.”

For additional details, visit TVAL’s website.

(Photo: Phillip Capper via Wikimedia Commons)

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Kermit Weeks Shares Sopwith Pup Update Following First Flight Incident [Video]

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has released a new video detailing the first taxi run, final rigging and maiden flight of his new Sopwith Pup reproduction.

As previously reported, the Le Rhone-powered aircraft was damaged during the test when the cowling became detached during a low pass approach. Thankfully, Weeks managed to land the machine and walk away unharmed.

Click below to check out the new video.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Shares Sopwith Pup Update Following First Flight Incident [Video]

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Special Hobby’s Lloyd C.V Comes Together In New Stop-Motion Video

Modeler Tom Grigat’s latest stop-motion video captures the assembly of Special Hobby’s Lloyd C.V Series 46 model kit in 1/72 scale.

The original aircraft’s plywood paneling was represented with wood grain decals from Uschi van der Rosten over brown accentuated paint from Alclad II. The rigging material is rubber thread (Uschi van der Rosten) fixed with eyelets and turnbuckles made with rods and tubes from Albion Alloys.

Click below to check it out.

Continue reading Special Hobby’s Lloyd C.V Comes Together In New Stop-Motion Video

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Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Damaged During Test Flight [Video]

Kermit Weeks’ Le Rhone-powered Sopwith Pup reproduction suffered damage after the cowling became detached during its first post-restoration flight.

Weeks states that he “took off fine” and “flew around for about 15 minutes with the 80 hp Le Rhone rotary engine running nicely.” He performed numerous figure eights over the field before coming in for a photo pass. He slowly lowered the nose, and just before reaching Fantasy of Flight’s runway, was given “a rather sudden, noisy, and spectacular surprise.”

The nose cowl is held on by a cable that clamps into a grooved slot on the outside of the firewall. When I slightly dropped the nose, the increased airspeed caused the not-so-properly-adjusted cowl to jump the groove and the rotating engine quickly shred it into numerous pieces, sending shrapnel everywhere, damaging the wings, and wrapping cowling around the center section and flying wires that began to flutter in the 80 mph breeze!

Weeks notes that he immediately shut the engine down and focused on landing the plane, which can be seen in the newly released video below, along with photos of the aftermath.

Continue reading Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Damaged During Test Flight [Video]

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Newly Restored Thomas-Morse S-4B Performs Engine Test, Almost Ready For Flight [Video]

Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation’s newly restored Thomas-Morse S-4B recently underwent a test of its original 80 hp Le Rhone rotary engine and is said to be “almost ready for flight.”

The Ithaca, NY-based organization was established in order to return an example of the WW1 advanced trainer to the city where it was originally manufactured as “a symbol of Ithaca’s aviation heritage.” Their machine was generously donated by Dr. William N. Thibault of San Diego, CA in 2010 and has been under restoration ever since.

The Scout’s maiden flight is currently scheduled for Sept 29 at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. To learn more about this aircraft and its restoration, check out the Spring 2018 edition of The Flying Machine journal.

Continue reading Newly Restored Thomas-Morse S-4B Performs Engine Test, Almost Ready For Flight [Video]

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Kermit Weeks’ Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Nearing First Flight

Kermit Weeks’ Le Rhone-powered Sopwith Pup is reportedly nearing its first post-restoration flight.

As seen above, the machine is one of two Sopwith Pups based at the Polk City, Florida attraction. Both were damaged during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and have since been rebuilt, with the first example being returned to airworthy status in the colors of N6205 “BETTY” flown by Sub Lt Joseph Fall of 3 Squadron RNAS. The second Pup will also be restored to fly, but will initially remain uncovered in order to reveal its wooden structure.

Weeks states that they are “getting close on getting the Sopwith Pup ready for a test-flight” and notes that FAA is coming out later this week.

Click below to check out a selection of recent photos.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks’ Newly Restored Sopwith Pup Nearing First Flight

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Airworthy, Full-Scale Fokker Dr.1, Sopwith Camel and 80% Albatros D.Va Offered For Sale

Please Note: This is an archived post. The information presented here may not be current and the associated listing may no longer be active.

Full-scale, airworthy reproductions of the legendary Fokker Dr.1 and Sopwith Camel have hit the market, along with an 80% scale example of the Albatros D.Va.

The Dr.1 was reportedly built from Ron Sands plans and is powered by a Lycoming O-320 engine. The airframe is said to have amassed a total time of 294 hours total time, while the engine has 294 hours SMOH. The machine, which is described as US registered and currently flying in Florida, is being offered for $110,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay.

The Camel was reportedly constructed in 1993 and is powered by a Warner Super Scarab radial engine. It is described as having new exhaust, starter, brakes, tailwheel steering and radio and is flown regularly off pavement and grass. The airframe is said to have a total time of 391 hours while the engine has 25 hours SMOH. Like the triplane, the Camel is said to be US registered and currently flying in Florida. It is being offered for $150,000, although offers are also being accepted. Click here to check out the complete listing on eBay. Continue reading Airworthy, Full-Scale Fokker Dr.1, Sopwith Camel and 80% Albatros D.Va Offered For Sale

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Renowned WW1 Aircraft Builder TVAL Seeks Production Manager

The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. (TVAL) has listed a vacancy for a Production Manager.

The New Zealand-based aircraft restoration and manufacturing company strives to build “WW1 aircraft, engines and propellers to the same exacting standards they were originally made over 90 years ago,” and is seeking someone “with a keen eye for detail, excellent organisational skills, and an interest and experience in bespoke engineering and manufacturing.”

The Production Manager oversees the manufacture of each and every aircraft component made by TVAL, and each and every aircraft that TVAL constructs under our CAA Part 148 certificate, from start to finish.

In addition to overseeing manufacturing at TVAL, the Production Manager oversees the day-to-day operations at our Wellington workshop, including, but not limited to, supervision of staff, allocation of resources, product manufacture, quality control, and process improvement.

Ideal candidates would possess aviation engineering qualification or an engineering or business-related degree as well as significant experience in a supervisory/leadership role, specifically within a specialty manufacturing/production environment, and can pass a NZ CAA Fit and Proper Person application and CAA Senior Person Interview.

For additional details, visit TVAL’s website.

(Photo: Phillip Capper via Wikimedia Commons)

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Watch Shuttleworth’s New Sopwith Camel Perform Its Debut Display [Video]

On May 6, the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire held their Season Premiere / RAF Centennial airshow – an event that saw the display debut of their new Sopwith Camel reproduction.

The Clerget-powered aircraft was built from original drawings by Northern Aeroplane Workshops in Batley before being transported to Old Warden, where it was covered and assembled by the Shuttleworth team. The machine wears the colors of D1851, “Ikanopit”, a Ruston Proctor-built Camel that operated with 70 Squadron RAF in 1918.

The aircraft performed its maiden flight in May 2017, becoming the fourth Sopwith type based at the museum (others include a Pup, Triplane and Dove).

The historic flight, performed by Chief Pilot Dodge Bailey, can be seen below, along with footage of a training week flight from April.

Continue reading Watch Shuttleworth’s New Sopwith Camel Perform Its Debut Display [Video]

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Brickmania Releases Nieuport 11, Fokker E.III LEGO Model Kits

Brickmania’s latest releases harken back to the dawn of aerial warfare with two of WW1’s most important early fighters: The Nieuport 11 and Fokker E.III.

The Nieuport kit consists of 247 LEGO and BrickArms elements, including a custom-printed French pilot minifigure, a spinning propeller and a BrickArms Lewis Gun. A high-quality sticker sheet is also included. The Fokker E.III kit features 257 LEGO and BrickArms elements, a custom-printed pilot minifigure, moving propeller and stabilator, “authentic” warping cables, a BrickArms Maxim machine gun and a high-quality sticker sheet.

The new, limited edition kits are available individually or as a bundle. Click below to learn more.

Continue reading Brickmania Releases Nieuport 11, Fokker E.III LEGO Model Kits