Made a visit to this little known but astonishing museum in Colorado yesterday. Fascinating to see the biggest collection of worn WW1 airmans uniforms in the world, the stories behind each uniform and the airmen that wore them was fascinating, German, Turkish, Hungarian, British, American and French to name a few. Also to see real sections of lozenge fabric, real artwork from Spads and Camels, Fokkers and Nieuports, parts from the same aircraft dating from WW1 Tails, tailplanes, props and personal belongings from Von Richtofen and others. Wonderful place…just imagine if it was in Europe or the UK instead of in the middle of barren Eastern Colorado. Andy Parks is the collector and restorer of the artifacts and operates a full size Camel, Nieuport and up until recently a Fokker Triplane, he is currently building a Spad and has two 7/8 scale SE5a’s.
Some beautiful models here as well, including crash scenes where the fighter is super detailed and all the internal bracing and framework is shown in 1/48 scale !
By: Baldeagle - 18th March 2013 at 13:09
The D.VIII (really an E.V) is now at Jerry Yagen’s, and of course the Triplane was unfortunately destroyed last August after engine failure in rough country, pilot still recovering slowly. The D.VII is down for some work on the cylinders, it should be flying again in time for the Museum fly-in on May 19-
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By: Mike J - 18th March 2013 at 12:37
Thanks for the report mikeeepannell.
I thought you’d be along sooner or later to mention the SPAD Baldeagle. 😉
Does the Museum still have the D.VII? I know the D.VIII was sold on recently.
By: DazDaMan - 18th March 2013 at 06:29
Love the cat on the SE5a replica! 🙂
By: Baldeagle - 18th March 2013 at 04:14
SPAD XIII replica, which is being worked on by about 4 or 5 guys at the museum. It is being sponsored by the family of author James Norman Hall (Mutiny on the Bounty), who flew them in WW1-
Web site is www.vafm.org and they are also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/VINTAGEAEROFLYINGMUSEUM.ORG?fref=ts
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March 17, 2013 at 11:37 pm