1909 replica Curtiss seaplane flies at Lake Windermere

A REPLICA of the UK’s first hydro-aeroplane has made its first water-borne take-off from Windermere.

The secret trial flight marked the successful climax of a 13-year project to create an exact copy of the iconic Waterbird, which made her original historic flight on November 25, 1911.

The project has faced delays due to technical issues, weather, the pandemic and safety issues.

Trials in spring 2021 had to be abandoned due to difficulties getting the plane to take off from the lake.

But this week all disappointments were forgotten as it became airborne at the first attempt.

Ian Gee, director of ‘Wings Over Windermere’, said it had taken longer than everyone hoped to achieve this week’s flights.

“I was totally bewildered when it took off at the first attempt,” he said.

“I was lost for words.

“The trials include taxiing across the water, but the pilot combined all the manoeuvres in one go.”

Pilot Peter Kynsey, who runs a seaplane business from Rochester Airport, said: “This is a fantastic project, and I couldn’t wait to take the replica Waterbird into the air.”

The replica has been constructed from Douglas fir, spruce wood, bamboo and wires; the same materials used to construct the original seaplane.

And the 35ft long aircraft, has a wingspan of 40ft and weighs just 800lb.

The original Waterbird was built by Manchester’s A V Roe and Company, and adapted using floats designed by Captain Edward Wakefield which allowed it to take off and land on water.

Waterbird replica takes off from Windermere | The Mail (nwemail.co.uk)

Nice video- shame about the ‘music’ …

Waterbird, Lakes Flying Company. Float Plane – YouTube