Tag: TVAL

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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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Newly Restored Albatros D.Va Performs First Engine Test [Video]

Yesterday, the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust’s newly restored Albatros D.Va (G-WAHT) performed its first engine test at the Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, UK.

As previously reported, the reproduction, formerly ZK-TGY, was a regular performer on the UK Airshow Circuit in 2015-2016 and was originally constructed by The Vintage Aviator Ltd. of New Zealand, which also carried out the recent work. As seen above, it initially appeared in the colors of the machine flown by Paul Baumer of Jasta 5, however it has been repainted to represent D.2263, flown by Otto Kissenbert of Royal Bavarian Jasta 23b.

The Albatros arrived at The Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, UK last month where it underwent reassembly. It is expected to remain at the location until the process of obtaining a flight permit is complete. Click below to check out a video of yesterday’s test.

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Adorned in New Livery, Albatros D.Va Arrives in UK Following Rebuild

The WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust has posted a progress report on the rebuild of Albatros D.Va G-WAHT.

The reproduction, formerly ZK-TGY, was a regular performer on the UK Airshow Circuit in 2015-2016 and was originally constructed by The Vintage Aviator Ltd. of New Zealand, which also carried out the recent work. As seen above, it initially appeared in the colors of the machine flown by Paul Baumer of Jasta 5, however it has been repainted to represent D.2263, flown by Otto Kissenbert of Royal Bavarian Jasta 23b.

The Albatros arrived at The Shuttleworth Collection in Bedfordshire, UK last week and is currently undergoing reassembly. It is expected to remain at the location until the process of obtaining a flight permit is complete.

Click below to check out a series of recent photos.

Continue reading Adorned in New Livery, Albatros D.Va Arrives in UK Following Rebuild

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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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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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TVAL Debuts New Albatros, Sopwith Pup at Hood Aerodrome

Yesterday, The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. (TVAL) debuted new Albatros D.Va and Sopwith Pup reproductions at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton, New Zealand.

The Albatros (seen above) is painted in the colors of a Jasta 11 machine flown by Ltn. Carl-August von Schoenebeck and bears the unit’s signature red on the nose, struts and undercarriage, while the pilot’s personal color, lilac, is applied to the tail surfaces. The new Le Rhone-powered Sopwith Pup wears the colors of N6185 “ANZAC” of 4(N) Squadron, RNAS, flown by FSLt C.J.Moir.

It is not yet known when the machines will make their public debut, as TVAL is not hosting any public flying weekends for the 2017/18 season.

Click below to check out a photo of the new Pup.

Continue reading TVAL Debuts New Albatros, Sopwith Pup at Hood Aerodrome