Seen at the airshow today

[zenrat]

... Anyone for photos?

Do NRL players pee on the sofa?

Yes please.

[Spey_Phantom]

great pics 
love the restored Belgian Hanriot, to bad we dont have many flying WW1 aircraft over here in europe.

[NARSES2]

... Anyone for photos?

Do NRL players pee on the sofa?

Yes please.

No idea what he's talking about  but yes please

[KiwiZac]

Well since you all asked so nicely...here's my take on a great day full of catch-ups and aeronautical goodness. The rain stayed away, as did the sun....although, to look at my sunburnt shins, you wouldn't think so (ouch!).

I heard that on Saturday Jess the night-bomber FE2 had trouble starting, so they employed a rather modern-day method to warm the engine and oil prior to yesterday's display. Does anyone make resin fan heaters in 1/32??




The lovely, restored and original Sopwith Camel. Sadly it didn't fly but, boy oh boy is it pretty! And smaller than I remembered.


The equally lovely and original Hanriot. We heard that Belgian ace Willy Coppens himself flew this one in an international aerobatic competition. Again it sadly didn't fly, but it was very special to see it on the grass.


Who doesn't love BEs?!


ZK-BFR, the original BE2f which is the oldest de Havilland design still flying. She was flown twice yesterday, both times by 22yo Bevan Dewes.


The other side of the flightline: (l-r) Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, TVAL-built SE5a, TVAL-built Snipe, TVAL-built Albatros D.Va, Chad Wille-built Sopwith Triplane and Achim Engels-TVAL-built Fokker E.V. All except Chitty and the Fokker flew yesterday.


Jess the night-bomber FE2 being wheeled out for a try at starting the big Beardmore.


When the pilots had their lunch spectators were again treated to an escorted flightline walk and talk.


Bevan Dewes ably demonstrated what it takes to get into the FE2. I really enjoyed hearing him talk about the type and hope he gets to fly it someday soon.


As well as Jess, the Fokker E.V also had a temperamental engine which refused to start, so the poor thing was left out in the paddock to think about what it had done. A shame as it's always a treat to see it fly.


Just a general view. The Sopwith Triplane was flown really well and showed some surprising manoeuvrability.


Jess did start - to much applause from the crowd - but when they tried again later so she could fly it just wouldn't happen, so sister ship Zanzibar/The Scotch Express was wheeled out instead. It's always nice to have a backup!

One of the big highlights for me was to see the original Avro 504k ZK-ACU fly twice. Such a pretty machine. Seeking it on the dry grass was really atmospheric for me and a real privilege.



Highlights: comfortable weather, seeing friends, great flying. Seeing the restored original Camel in person (stripy cowl, seen up top) although it didn't fly. Seeing Bevan fly the BE2f - young enough to be a squadron leader in the Great War! - and seeing him fly it in company with the BE2c (early). Seeing the red-nosed Pup fly a cool little display.

Lowlights: whilst on the flightline walk hearing the Fokker monoplane behind the group "choof" as though its prop had been turned, seeing a spectator/non-TVAL person walk away from said prop, and then seeing that same person lean on the 504k to make it rock on its gear. I was too shy to say anything but, come on, keep your hands to yourself!!! The flightline walks on the other side of the rope are a really cool feature and I'd hate for them to stop happening because someone wanted to see what would happen.

Enjoy! I'll upload some more photos later on if work doesn't get too crazy (I don't like Mondays, TELL ME WHY).

[zenrat]

Cool stuff.  I'm jealous.

Shame you didn't get to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang fly.  That really would have been something. 
Of course now i've got that song stuck in my head.  All it takes it reading the name.

Bang, bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you...

[Captain Canada]

Wow, what a collection. Great stuff and thanks again for the pics !

[NARSES2]

Thanks for the pics Zac, beautifull aeroplanes 

[Nick]

Love those pics Zac, you'll have to see the Shuttleworth collection when you come over here.

The old method of engine warming involved a bucket of sand soaked with a gallon of diesel. Light it up and the gentle heat would defrost the engine enough to make the oil viscous.

[KiwiZac]

Thanks all! Yes, sad that Chitty didn't fly but it was driven around so some kids could have an airside tour of the field! It makes all sorts of sounds, too - sirens, honks etc.

Cap'n C - impressive indeed, and this isn't even all of it. Seven Fokker Dr.Is, an original Bristol Fighter, another Fokker E.V/D.VIII, Pfalz D.III, another Sopwith Pup that was in the hangar and the repro Camel that flew but I didn't photograph, as well as DH.4, Eindecker (two of, I think?), and BE.12 repros yet to fly....and then there's all the statics - repro and original - in the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, not to mention WIPs we don't know about yet! We joke about a Gotha but who knows what's possible.

Nick - agreed! Shuttleworth and Duxford are the absolutely-positively-must-dos on my list. Interesting to read of how they did the engine warming way back when.

[jcf]

Nice pics Zac. 

Two of the Zborowski aero-engined Chitty Bang Bang cars that inspired Fleming's book still exist, #2 (18.8 Litre 6-Inline Benz B.IV)
and the 27 Litre Liberty V-12 engined #4 which became Parry Thomas's Babs LSR car.


http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z14386/Mercedes-Benz-Chitty-Bang-Bang.aspx
Chitty 2




Chitty 4 Babs

BTW Wingnut Wings have their 1/32 Liberty engine sprues available again, and the Benz D.IV from their Junkers J.1, if anyone's tempted to
model either Chitty. 

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3063

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/product?productid=3152

[zenrat]

Gotta love the chain drive.

Chitty IV looks pretty good considering all the years she spent buried under a beach.

[Captain Canada]

Woah....how cool is that ? thanks for sharing ! I didn't know they existed. Love the #4. Now that would make an interesting shelf piece !

[Caveman]

I was fortunate enough to get to RIAT yesterday.  For anyone planning on going, you are in for a treat!  Never seen a raptor in the flesh before and their demonstration was amazing.

Oh, the yeah and watch out for a little demonstration by the F35, if you arent paying attention you may miss when it lands... 

DSC_09541

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more here: https://www.flickr.com/gp/wcave/7303g3

[RAFF-35]

Fantastic shots, I'm off to Fairford for the weekend and can't wait to see my first 5th gen aircraft  will further hamper any modelling progress though 

[Caveman]

Enjoy! (Is that a reds F35?)

If you want to see the F35 VL touch down youll need to find a spot near the tower.  They've had to put some matting down over the grass between the runway and taxiway so that it doesnt damage the surfaces...