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Latest Collection from Renowned Artist Ronny Bar Focuses on WW1 British Fighters

Aviation artist Ronny Bar’s latest collection of aircraft profiles will soon be released by Tempest. The new collection British Fighters of the Great War is a visual and historical celebration of Britain’s single-seat fighter aircraft of the First World War.

Renowned aviation artist Ronny Bar presents a remarkable collection of meticulously researched colour profiles, capturing 15 of the most important British ‘scout’ fighters in vivid, authentic detail. Each aircraft is illustrated in a constant scale, with side, upper, and underside views that provide invaluable reference for historians, enthusiasts, and modellers alike.

From the iconic Sopwith Camel, Pup, Dolphin and Snipe – legendary products of the Sopwith Aviation Company – to other pivotal types such as the Bristol Scout, DH-2, DH-5, FE-8, and SE-5a, this volume traces the evolution of British fighter design from the tentative early days of aerial reconnaissance to the hard-won air superiority of the war’s later years.

Set against the backdrop of rapid technological change, tactical experimentation, and the courage of the pilots who flew these machines, the book combines striking artwork with a deep understanding of the historical context. Every profile is based on photographic evidence and thorough research, with informed interpretation used only where the passage of time has left gaps.

The 264 page book expands on the author’s previous collections of profiles as an authoritative color guide and a showcase of one of the genre’s finest artists, offering an unmatched visual reference to the aircraft that helped shape the air war over the Western Front. The book is currently available for pre-order with release set for May 31.

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Build Log and Tips: Microaces RC Sopwith Pup [Video]

The latest video build log from DX Modelworks features Microaces’ new 1/24 scale Sopwith Pup.

The micro RC model kit was released in December 2023 and this video details construction of the initial, limited edition offering wearing the colors of N6453, the first aircraft to land on a moving ship. Like the channel’s previous videos, the detailed photo documentation and tips will likely be helpful to both new and experienced modelers alike.

Click below to check it out. If you’re pleased with what you see, please consider subscribing to the channel. Likes and shares are also greatly appreciated!

Continue reading Build Log and Tips: Microaces RC Sopwith Pup [Video]

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New Kits Reproduce Sopwith Pup “Exactly As It Was 100 Years Ago”

France-based Replic Aero is now offering Sopwith Pup kits that reportedly allow you to “assemble your plane exactly as it was 100 years ago.”

“The metal parts are ready to bend and weld, all the wood parts are ready to be adjusted (for some) and assembled. The Sopwith Pup is available as a complete kit, as a series of sub-kits or as portions of a sub-kit. The Sopwith Pup being assembled is for sale, Ready to cover or covered, the engine and the instruments are the choice of the future owner. Also possible ‘ready to fly.'”

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading New Kits Reproduce Sopwith Pup “Exactly As It Was 100 Years Ago”

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TVAL Offers Additional WW1 Aircraft, Rotary Engines 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.

New Zealand-based aircraft manufacturer The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. has expanded its list of machines for sale, with offerings now including four WW1 aircraft reproductions and two rotary engine types.

In addition to the Hispano-Suiza-powered SE.5a and Le Rhone-powered Sopwith Pup listed in November, TVAL is now offering RAF1a-powered BE.2e G-CJZP, which has amassed a total time of 42 hours, and Bentley B.R.2-powered Sopwith Snipe G-CKBB (pictured above) which represents F2367 of 70 Squadron.

TVAL has also expanded their inventory to include powerplants, and is currently offering a limited number of reproduction 110 hp Le Rhone and 230 hp Bentley B.R.2 rotary engines.

Click here to check out the full aircraft listings, and here for engine listings.

(Top Photo: Alan Wilson via Wikimedia Commons Thanks, Pascal!)

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Airworthy TVAL SE5a, Sopwith Pup Reproductions 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.

New Zealand-based aircraft manufacturer The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. is offering two of their exquisite airworthy WW1 aircraft reproductions for sale.

The first is a Hispano-Suiza-powered SE5a in 60 Squadron markings. The listing states (in part):

With extensive research and skilled craftsmanship we have built an accurate RAF Se5a reproduction. Every bit of detail you would have found in an original, you’ll find in this example. Completed in 2006 with 80 hours worth of flight time, this aircraft has been well looked after and professionally maintained by our staff at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton New Zealand.

The second machine is is a recently completed Sopwith Pup in RNAS markings which has “only just finished its airworthiness program ” and is “near new.” The aircraft is reportedly equipped with an original 80 hp Le Rhone engine that has been restored to an airworthy condition.

Prices for the machines are available upon request. Click here to check out the complete listings.

(Thanks, Pascal! Photo: Phillip Capper via Wikimedia Commons)

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Kermit Weeks Plans to Bring Four WW1 Aircraft to AirVenture 2018 [Video]

Fantasy of Flight owner Kermit Weeks has announced plans to bring four of his WW1 aircraft reproductions to the 2018 AirVenture fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The machines include his TVAL-built Sopwith Snipe and Albatros D.Va, a newly restored Sopwith Pup which is currently undergoing repairs following an “unfortunate incident” during its maiden flight, and his new Fokker D.VII, which was recently completed by noted WW1 aircraft builder Fred Murrin.

It appears that the Snipe is the only machine that could take flight at the event, as the remaining aircraft have not yet amassed the required 10 hrs of flight time, or are currently involved in ongoing maintenance. Click below to check out the update.

Continue reading Kermit Weeks Plans to Bring Four WW1 Aircraft to AirVenture 2018 [Video]

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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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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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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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Owls Head’s New Sopwith Pup Performs Engine Test [Video]

The Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine has performed the first engine test on their newly acquired Sopwith Pup reproduction.

The aircraft was assembled by Brian Coughlin and features a steel tube fuselage constructed by Dana Narkunas and restored wing panels originally built by noted WW1 aircraft builder Carl Swanson. Powered by an original Le Rhone rotary engine, the machine made its debut at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome last year.

The recent acquisition was made in a frame-for-frame trade for the museum’s previous Sopwith Pup, a reproduction built by Dick King in the 1960s which was a regular performer at Old Rhinebeck throughout the 1970s. Coughlin is now in the process of restoring this machine (see The Flying Machine #6 for additional details).

Owls Head retained the Le Rhone engine from the King Pup and installed it in this new example. It is expected to return to the air this year.

Click below to check out a video of the test.

Continue reading Owls Head’s New Sopwith Pup Performs Engine Test [Video]