WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds

Category: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds --- See Latest World War I news here. See also 'Red Baron', 'WW1 Memorabilia, Collectibles', 'Military Medals', 'Zeppelins'.

Rare World War I fighter, SE5a, prepares for final landing
The Australian War Memorial in Canberra is getting ready to display a rare WWI fighter plane. The SE5a (Scout Experimental) aircraft is one of only 10 still left. The War Memorial's SE5a was given to Australia in 1921 to help equip the Royal Australian Air Force, and in 1929 the RAAF donated it to the War Memorial. Two other restored Allied planes (Avro 504K trainer, Airco DH9) and two rare German warbirds (Albatros DVa, Pfalz DXII) will also be part of the exhibition. "The heart of the exhibition is to tell the story of the beginning of the Royal Australian Air Force and end of the First World War," said spokeswoman Barbara Reeve. [ abc.net.au :: 2008-06-16 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

German flying boats Part 1: 1914-1935
German aircraft manufacturers have been on the lead of new developments since the birth of aviation. They already used reliable seaplanes during the Great War. In their operations over the North Sea area they were in most cases superior when compared with sluggish UK seaplanes. In this webpage the most important types from the WW-I up to 1935 will be described. --- Dornier RS.IV: After constructing the RS.III, a flying boat with high-wing configuration of which only one was built, Dornier built a successor with a similar high-wing layout. The RS.IV was an all-metal aircraft wing fabric covered wings. [ letletlet-warplanes :: 2008-06-07 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Bill Woodall built a replica of the Sopwith Triplane from scratch: Project of 18 years
As a child, novels about the feats of WWI pilots enchanted Bill Woodall. On the cover of one flying magazine was a picture showing the front of the Sopwith Triplane. Woodall drew the picture on a larger scale and hung it on ceiling. Maybe all the years of sleeping beneath image did something, for years later he decided to build from scratch a reproduction. Today his replica is on display at the Military Aviation Preservation Society (MAPS) Air Museum at the Akron-Canton Airport. It took 18 years and $18,000. He can't even start to count the number of hours: "I don't even want to know." [ akron :: 2008-04-04 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

WWI and WWII warbirds over Wanaka Airshow [photos]
The 11th Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow was staged in Central Otago. The organisers say it's the biggest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and the crowds witnessed some spectacular aerial action. [ nzherald :: 2008-03-27 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Two rare WWI warbirds restored in Canberra: Albatros DVa and Pfalz DXII
French aviation experts are in Canberra to help the Australian War Memorial (AWM) restore two rare World War I planes. The German Albatros DVa and Pfalz DXII -- both popular German fighter planes 1917-1918 -- are being 'clothed' with new camouflage fabric during their restoration. Nola Anderson says they had to call in vintage aircraft experts from France to learn how to restore the planes. "We have to recover the wings and because they are very rare aircraft and because the skills to recover the fabric on the wings is quite rare as well, we've got a team of French specialists over here..." [ abc :: 2008-03-01 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Crashed WWI-replica plane Sopwith F1's tanks weren't full
The National Transportation Safety Board has published a report on the July 13 plane crash that injured pilot Fred Murrin, well-known for building World War I replica aircrafts. According to the report: At 8:45 p.m., Murrin's experimental Sopwith F1 lost power after he aborted a landing attempt. Murrin said that during previous flights, he was worried that the fuel system may not be able to provide enough fuel pressure. During tests, he was able to achieve reliable engine performance and the fuel tank was full before each of those flights. On the day of the crash, the quarter-tank of fuel on the plane didn't provide the pressure needed. [ sharonherald :: 2007-12-04 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: Collection of WWI planes
Although there is still debate about who brought the Red Baron down out of the skies above the River Somme, one thing is certain: it was a bad day for the Baron. At the new Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka this fateful day has been brought to life. Whether the Australians got him or not doesn't matter; but the fact that they had a huge amount of fun stripping the insignia from the crashed plane brings a more human element to the story. The Knights of the Sky collection is one of the biggest collections of World War I planes. Among others, the airframe of a Bristol F2.b fighter, an original De Havilland DH4, an Etrich Taube and a Morane-Saulinier Type BB are all displayed. [ nzherald :: 2007-11-14 ]

City to unveil World War I-era Jenny biplane -- Curtiss JN4-D
A hangar at Kickapoo Downtown Airpark will resemble the old Call Field Army Air Corps training base on Saturday. For people interested in aviation history, it will happen at Hangar 16 when World War I-era Jenny (Curtiss JN4-D) biplane will be unveiled. The biplane, one of only a few of its kind still in existence, is identical to those that were used at Call Field 1917-1918 to train pilots. The brief sneak preview at 11 a.m. is for everyone involved in the project to bring the plane to Wichita Falls. The display will include photographs of Call Field and a description of its history. The biplane has been painted in authentic Call Field trainer colors. [ timesrecordnews :: 2007-08-14 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Selfridge museum volunteers build replica of famed WWI plane
Article no longer available from the original source.
A group of determined volunteers is putting together a full-size replica of a rare, the First World War fighter plane for the Military Air Museum at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Piece by piece, nonworking replicas of the engine and guns will be constructed. In about 2 years, with a budget of a $7,000, they will have built a copy of a World War I-era SPAD XIII fighter that was flown by American airmen. "I wanted to do this my whole lifetime, and in retirement, put a team together that wanted to build it," said Air Force veteran Roger Krings. [ freep :: 2007-06-02 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

In pictures: 'Elephant stable' rare World War I bomber
In pictures - A rare World War One bomber that was discovered in a maharaja's elephant stable in India has been restored on behalf of the UK's Imperial War Museum. The remains of the de Havilland DH9, were discovered near the Palace of Bikaner in the state of Rajasthan. Much of the plane, built in 1918 and the first British plane to contain bombs in its fuselage, had been devoured by termites and most of its fabric was missing. Because no original drawings existed, restoring it was a lengthy task. [ bbc :: 2007-04-22 :: Photographs, Pictures & Images ]

Backpacker finds rare World War 1 bomber de Havilland DH 9
A rare WW1 bomber which was discovered in an elephant stable in India is to go on display at the Imperial War Museum. 2000 DH9s, designed to carry out long-distance raids deep into enemy territory, were made but it is thought that there are just 6 left in the world. The 2-seat bomber, the de Havilland DH 9, is the only one of its kind in Britain and has undergone a £500,000 restoration. And it might still be gathering dust in the elephant house at a former maharajah's palace had the backpacker not rescued it. Guy Black, the director of Aero Vintage, a specialist restoration company, described how he went to bring the plane home. [ telegraph :: 2007-04-20 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

First World War display for Biggin Hill air show
The skies over Biggin Hill will be filled with replica World War I battles to mark a special year for the airfield. This year celebrations are being held to mark 90 years of military flying at Biggin Hill. A special display of replica First World War aircraft has been arranged for Biggin Hill Air Show. Members of the Great War Display Team will re-enact air battle in 9 replica aircraft. This is the first time so many World War One aircraft have performed at the show at once. The planes will be presented in military colours of the WW1-era, and they will be available on the ground for photographs. [ newsshopper :: 2007-03-07 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Rare Bristol biplane Fighter to star at airshow
One of only 3 original Bristol fighter biplanes left in the world will be at the Trust House Wings Over Wairarapa air show - the aircraft will fly New Zealand skies for the first time in 70 years. A Bristol Fighter last flew during the 1930s when the predecessor of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force used the D-8040, said Liz Pollock. "Having been recently purchased to be based in New Zealand this will be the first outing for D-8040 and the particular aircraft to feature in Masterton is a F2B in the markings of 139 Squadron that was involved in assisting the Italians in a successful defence against the Austro-German invasion at Villaverla in 1918." [ times-age :: 2007-01-05 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

WW1 aircraft museum opens - Watch related video
A museum housing the world's biggest private collection of World War One aircraft opens to the public in Blenheim. Movie maestro Peter Jackson owns the planes on show at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and enthusiasts are looking forward to getting a good look at the collection up close. More than 20 original and replica planes are on show, all from Jackson's private collection. The museum is expected to be a huge drawcard for the region. [ tvnz :: 2006-12-09 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Fate of a rare World War 1 airplane, a German-built Fokker D.VII
A rare First World War airplane, a German-built Fokker D.VII, is tucked in barn in Knowlton. The biplane is in almost perfect condition. One of three left in the world, the aircraft is a source of pride for many residents. Some say the town is lucky to have such a treasure. Then there are those who say selling the Knowlton Fokker would free up display space for local collections hidden away in the museum basement and would ensure the biplane was stored properly. They also suggest it would be a financial windfall for the historical society, as the plane would be worth an estimated $1 million. [ montrealgazette :: 2006-11-13 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Vintage First World War aircraft overshoots airstrip
A replica of a First World War biplane was badly damaged when it ran off the end of a grass runway at an airstrip in Mono. The replica of a 1918 Royal Aircraft SE 5 was one of 3 planes from the Great War Flying Museum at the Brampton Flying Club that was being flown to the airstrip on Hurontario Street for winter storage. One spectator said the SE 5 came in a little too high and touched down too late, becoming slightly airborne after hitting the ground. It landed on its wheels and the pilot escaped without serious injury. Museum members were confident that the plane can be repaired and made flight-worthy. [ citizen :: 2006-10-16 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Sopwith Camel: Aircraft that ruled the skies in First World War
An unsung genius who designed the two-winged fighter planes that ruled the skies over France in the WW1 is to be the subject of a new book. It will reveal the true story of Herbert Smith's brilliance in designing the Sopwith aircraft, which helped Britain win the World War I. It will also expose the tragedy of the man who never worked again in British aviation after the war. "He designed the first aircraft to have air breaks on the wings the Sopwith Camel and in 1923, the first aircraft ever to take off and land on the deck of a ship." [ thisisbradford :: 2006-07-30 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Replica warbird of 1914 biplane will take to skies of France
Article no longer available from the original source.
A replica of a 1914 biplane, originally built at Sywell to appear in a movie, is to make one of its first flights in 30 years at a World War One anniversary event in France in 2008. Aircraft enthusiast Matthew Boddington, whose father built the BE2C replica in 1969, has been restoring it after recovering its smashed wreckage. "We have been asked to take it Flanders as there are no original BE2s still flying." [ northantsnews :: 2006-06-06 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

Red Baron fans hope to wing in skies with Spad XIII
Three men are seeking permission to build a grass airstrip in Petsworth to fly antique bi-wing warbirds. World War I fighter ace Eddie Rickenbaker was legendary for flying a Spad XIII biplane in pitched duels with Red Baronesque pilots high over Europe. While it's unlikely Rickenbaker ever prowled the skies of Gloucester, three men plan to do just that in replicas of the antique warplane they want to keep in Petsworth at an airstrip they propose to build. the Spad XIII was designed in 1916 by French engineers to counter twin- gun German fighters. "We're hoping to have three Spad XIII at the same airfield. That hasn't been seen since WWI." [ dailypress :: 2006-05-13 :: Airforces & Aviation ]

World War One aviation Warbirds of Fame Chino
World War One Aviation will be the subject of the monthly special event to be hosted by The Air Museum "Planes of Fame" at the Chino Airport. Collection includes the wood and fabric warplanes of the first conflict in which aircraft played an important role. the fighting airplanes of WWI were really rather crude machines. Vulnerable to all sort of enemy fire, and lacking in any sort of real protection for their crews, the warplanes of that era were really little more than "death traps" for the brave young lads who flew them into combat and actually pioneered the modern era of aerial warfare. [ santapaulatimes :: 2006-05-07 :: WW1 Aircrafts: Vintage Warbirds ]

First World War in the News is an edited review of hand-picked World War I 1914-1918 articles.