Category: WW1 Era (1914-18)

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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

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“The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly” Spring 2018 Edition Now Available!

Aerodynamic Media, LLC is proud to announce the release of the seventh issue of The Flying Machine: Early Aero Quarterly.

Issue #7 Contents:

36 Pages – Wright Tour Guide: Examining Sites and Artifacts Connected to the Wright Brothers and the Birth of Powered Flight (Part 2); Tommy to Fly Again!: Restoration Nearly Completed, Our 100-Year-Old Airplane Will Soon Take to the Sky; Building a Reproduction 1913 Renault WB 70 hp V8 Aero Engine for a B.E.2a; News Briefs: Bastion in the Air Exhibition Opens at RAF Scampton, Memorial Flight Completes B.E.2f Reproduction, Darrin Covington’s ¼ Scale B.E.2c Project; Products

The Flying Machine focuses exclusively on “aeroplanes” manufactured prior to 1920, as well as the current work of historians, builders, restorers, museums and collectors to preserve and promote interest in the early years of flight. Published in print and digital formats, The Flying Machine is offered on a pay-per-issue basis – no subscription required!

Join us as we pay tribute to early aircraft and the visionaries, geniuses and daredevils who conquered the air while producing some of the most fascinating, ingenious and beautiful machines in aviation’s short history.

Click here to purchase!

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Wingnut Wings Releases New Tool 1/32 Junkers D.I Model Kit

Wingnut Wings has released their new tool model kit of the Junkers D.I monoplane, which was introduced in late WW1 and became the first all-metal fighter to enter service.

The new 1/32 kit reportedly includes 124 high-quality injection molded plastic parts, 11 photo-etched metal detail parts and Cartograf decals with markings options for five aircraft. It is said to authentically reproduce the D.I’s corrugated Duralumin surface details, lapped panels and hatches and raised rivets while also including a number of options, including fuselage spine corrugations, foot steps, propellers, Daimler-Mercedes 180 hp D IIIa and 200 hp D IIIau engine details and accommodation for a “wings removed” diorama display.

Product Page ($98.99)

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New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration

Owls Head Transportation Museum of Owls Head, Maine has released a new video detailing the ongoing restoration of their Fokker Dr.1 reproduction.

The aircraft was built in the 1970s by Kenneth Cianchette and performed at museum events until 2014, when it was discovered that considerable repairs were needed. The museum ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to cover associated costs. As the video below shows, an overhauled Warner radial engine has been acquired and the fuselage is awaiting sandblasting, covering and painting. The wing panels have been shipped to upstate New York for covering by Brian Coughlin, who also covered the ailerons and tail surfaces.

It is hoped that the machine will return to the air by the end of the 2018 season.

Continue reading New Video Details Progress on Owls Head Fokker Dr.1 Restoration

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“Skies of Fury DX” Brings WW1 Aerial Combat to Nintendo Switch [Video]

Nintendo Switch users will soon have the opportunity to engage in “epic” WW1 aerial combat with the upcoming release of Skies of Fury DX.

The game, a version of which was previously released for Android and Apple mobile devices, was developed by Illumination Games and draws inspiration from the look of vintage comics. Players can reportedly fly through “stunning, hand-painted environments” in 10 distinctive WW1 aircraft, taking on the role of both British and German pilots and dogfighting through 100 different missions in single or multiplayer modes.

Additional features are said to include unlocakble upgrades for flying and combat abilities, hundreds of unlockable aircraft customizations and unlockable comics based on the real history of Bloody April.

The game is currently set for release on April 12. Click below to check out the trailer.

Continue reading “Skies of Fury DX” Brings WW1 Aerial Combat to Nintendo Switch [Video]

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Copper State Models Developing New Tool 1/32 Nieuport 17

Copper State Models has announced the development of a new tool Nieuport 17 model kit in 1/32 scale.

Few details have been reported about the upcoming kit, although a few renderings have been released. Click below to check out an additional example.

Continue reading Copper State Models Developing New Tool 1/32 Nieuport 17