At least the Nieuport has better visibility than the Tripehund!
The first nice surprise on arrival at Masterton was the DH-4 reproduction, on show for the first time (a photo and story appeared in the December(?) 2014 Aeroplane.
Untitled by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
De Havilland American DH-4 Reproduction by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Old Dutch Cleanser? by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
As it was early and few other members of the public were in the hangar, I was encouraged to get down low to check out the floor hatches – much better than hanging a camera over the side!
Under DH-4 rear cockpit by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
De Havilland DH-4 Century Aviation (Washington)/TVAL built reproduction, 50th Aero Sqn, AEF ZK-DHA. Engine Liberty V12 400hp.
First Flight 09/11/2014
More photos here.
Yes, the Nieuport 11 is small, even next to a Fokker Dr.1 (here also with Camel and Fokker D.VII replicas)
TaurangaCA140126_4095flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Dont forget, sesquiplane, for downward visibility by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
TaurangaCA140126_4232flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
My best in-flight photos of it are actually at non-Masterton events – it has travelled to other shows quite a bit.
Nieuport 11 replica, J Pfeifer built in USA, as Ni. 2123 Sgt Alvaro Leinardi 80a Sqd, Italian Air Service ZK-NIM. Engine Le Rhone 80hp.
Per On the Wings of History
N.2123 was one of the 646 N.11s built under licencse by Maachi.
…
The emblem on the fuselage was based on the Italian version of the ‘Happy Hooligan’ comic strip, in which the character was called ‘Fortunello’ (Lucky)
Thanks for the encouragement folks.
Next up, Avro 504K
Avro 504K swing by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
and the reproduction B.E.2c (late production)
Running reproduction B.E.2c by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
B.E.2c late model first public disply by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Avro & B.E.2c by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
First public display for the B.E.2c-1L (that’s TVAL’s designation).
The April Flying Weekend had variable weather. Saturday started ok, but closed in after a moderate amount of flying. The rain had stopped by the time I arrived on Sunday morning, and improved throughout the day.
First flight was Dan Pezaro in the first S.E.5a
S.E.5a preparation by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Running the S.E.5a by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
S.E.5a reproduction below the grey by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
R.A.F. S.E.5a TVAL Reproduction as F5690 No.29 Sqn ZK-SEV. Engine Hispano-Suiza 8 180hp.
First flight 26/03/2007
Presentation text reads:
“Wanganui”
Presented by
Mr E.R. Jackson
Wanganui
New Zealand
And it was a lovely day for flying, even if the barn doors attached to the front of some of the types makes the photography a bit of a challenge at times.
Original B.E.2f fires up by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
B.E.2f ambling by by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
S.E.5a replica returns by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a TVAL Reproduction, as No 40 Sqn RFC/RAF Capt GH Lewis, ZK-SEO. Engine Hispano-Suiza 8 180hp.
First flight 05/05/2008
The three S.E.5a reproductions built were used in the WWI AV presentation for the Australian War Memorial
Fokker D.VIII chasing Camel replica by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Fokker D.VIII banks by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
There was an excellent discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the D.VIII/E.V during the April flightline walk, the handling challenges were well covered by two current pilots!
Bebe lines up by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Nieuport goes for the D.Va by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Bebe belly by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Albatros D.Va as Josef Mai’s machine by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Albatros D.Va TVAL reproduction, 5284/17 Jasta 5 Vfw J Mai ZK-DVA. Engine Mercedes D.III 180hp.
First flight 28/10/2009
Sopwith Triplane, RAF S.E.5a, Airco DH.5 by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Visibilty contrasts on DH.5 by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Airco DH.5 US-built replica, A9242 No.68 Sqn RFC/No.2 Sqn Australian Flying Corps Lt Morrison ZK-JOQ. Engine Lycoming O-320 150hp.
First NZ flight 22/03/2005 – a regular airshow performer.
Represents a presentation aircraft “New South Wales No14 Battleplane Subscribed & Collected By Women of New South Wales”
I actually left this event early, as it was hot and I had already seen everything that was able to be flown. There is a nice cafe outside the fence at the sea end of Wellington Airport, it was nice to chill and plane-watch after a leisurely (for a change) drive over the Rimutaka Ranges.
Is the DH 4 a repro of a British built example, or a one of the Liberty powered US built
DH-4’s ?.
US-built, I have photos from April to come.
As you may have noticed, the sky was much clearer for February. Indeed the reported temp was 32degC, and we were standing on a white concrete pad. Sensible steps were taken…
Shade and a leaner – sweet! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
There’s a wee downside with the DH.5
Scott likes to conscript pilots for Flightline walk by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
TVAL recently shared the history of the aircraft that the latest B.E.2c represents
Our latest BE2c is finished in the markings of 2612 of 16 Squadron. It was a presentation aircraft sponsored by St Catherine in Ontario, and was declared missing on 1 June 1916.
16 Squadron formed at St Omer on 10th February 1915 from flights of No. 2, 5 and 6 Squadrons, using various aircraft until it was issued with BE2cs in February 1916.The squadron marking consisted of two bands around the fuselage on either side of the cockade. These were black on clear doped aircraft and white on the later PC.10 cover ones. 16 Squadron was re-equipped with R.E.8s in May 1917.
B.E.2c wing centre by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Instructs in shiny new T-6 Texan II’s for a day job, relaxes with canvas and wire.
TVAL_Feb16_9279flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
John Lanham talks about the flying by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Swinging the Camel replica’s prop by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Refuel underway by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Passing Tiger Moth by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
This staff car is often on display at the Flying Weekends, and has been used at Classic Fighters airshows at Omaka.
I don’t know anything about its history – it might be a movie prop.
Update: TVAL have since mentioned on Facebook that this is a Stoewer Staff Car.
German staff car by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
VVIP visit by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
And a bonus – the owner of this Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 1913 Alpine Drive drove it down to show us.
Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 1913 by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Especially nice surprise number 2 at the February event was the LVG C.VI reproduction.
French-built LVG C.VI reproduction for TVAL by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
LVG C.VI Memorial Flight (France)-built reproduction for TVAL ZK-LVG. Original Mercedes Benz engine.
Was test flown in France (F-AZVE), not yet flown in NZ Correction, TVAL Facebook reports 5/5/16 that test flying is nearly complete.
It was parked on the grass in front of the viewing area. Again, the flightline walk allowed different angles.
Scott presents TVAL LVG C.VI by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
LVG C.VI upper wing connections by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
LVG C.VI wings by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
TVAL LVG C.VI rear cockpit by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
LVG C.VI map by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
LVG C.VI observer MG by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
LVG C.VI by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Right, back to it!
Especially nice surprise number 1 at the February event was the B.E.12 reproduction.
I’d spotted the wing-less project in January 2015 while at the Wings Over Wairarapa airshow.
Under-construction TVAL B.E.12 Replica by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
At the Flying Weekend, it was positioned on the right hand side of the concrete pad, meaning the easily viewable side was in shadow at the start of the day. Patience (for the sun to move, and the flightline walk to provide alternative angles) was required!
B.E.12 Replica ZK-ZEP by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
R.A.F. B.E.12 TVAL Reproduction (6493 No.50 (HD) Sqn) ZK-ZEP. Engine TVAL-built R.A.F.4a 150hp.
I don’t think that it has flown yet.
B.E.12 “Night Fighter” Nose by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
B.E.12 cloudwatching by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
TVAL B.E.12 cockpit by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Blessed shade! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
The B.E.12 was based on the B.E.2, with the engine for the R.E.8, a single seat, more fuel, and other changes. It was unwisely pressed into service as a fighter, a task it was too stable for. An aircraft from the squadron represented did manage to shoot down a Zeppelin!
Thanks for the encouragement DH82EH and others.
I was a bit distracted today, I went out to Ardmore to see NZ Warbirds and co head out for ANZAC Day flyovers.
After lunch there was a wee stutter when Jess wouldn’t re-start, but a larger-scale display happened. This gave the pilots practice at putting together a ‘dogfight’ that is safe and entertaining.
Glorious Gaggle by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Triplane escorts B.E.2f by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
No sun for the Hun! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Old and new by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
It is difficult to get a sense of how this looks via a few photos (it is hard enough to get a couple of manoeuvring machines in shot, moving in approximately the same direction).
It all comes together at rare airshows, the one with most active WW1 designs is Classic Fighters at Omaka, held at Easter in ‘odd’ years. A sample from Omaka 2013:
Battle develops by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Omaka13_5431flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
At various points (often just after they had shut down their aircraft), the pilots came over to the public and answered questions – nice and personal.
As covered in the video, they gave up on Jess, the F.E.2b Night Bomber, and fired up Zanzibar No.1 instead.
F.E.2b belly by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
While the F.E.2b ambled off out of sight for a bit, I took the opportunity to get back to the original Camel.
Original Sopwith Camel ZK-SDL by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Camel lines by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Camel pump by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Camel oil by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Sopwith Camel (ex-Jarret, Tallman), as B5663 W.A. Curtis No.10 Naval Sqn ZK-SDL. Engine Clerget 9B.
First NZ flight 10/03/2015
Once the F.E.2b came back, Gene talked a little about it, and it was time to head off back to Wellington.
I’ll continue with the February and April Weekends, but mainly focus on additional types not available in January. We had blue skies in Feb, so the flying photos are better!
There will be a break while I pop over the ditch to Illawarra mid-week.
A tease for Feb:
TVAL_Feb16_2967flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
TVAL_Feb16_9305flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
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