While the attempts the get “Jess” started continued (they are planning to get her up tomorrow, woot!), 3 British scouts and a Albatros D.Va did their thing.
British Scout trio take-off by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Priming the Albatros by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Then it was time for the flightline walk. This is an ad hoc version of the hangar tours that are available every weekend over the summer season, normally led by senior guide Scott. He does an excellent job of informing and entertaining the ‘crowd’ (these events get a few dozen attendees, only some of whom go on the walk).
Scott starts the tour at the Hanriot by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Limited-angle Lewis on B.E.2f by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Pilots often help out, giving their impression of flying the aircraft, and demonstrating the crew positions.
Bevan boards Fee by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
It is ok to move ahead of the group to get better photos
Pup, with S.E.5 and F.E.2b behind by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
but important to stay close to the TVAL aircraft, and be aware of other activity
Passing Tiger Moth by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
This Camel replica has been in the collection since 2001, and has dispalyed at many NZ airshows. Gene has many hours in it.
Camel Replica ZK-JMU by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Sopwith Camel replica (US-built, was N4463) as B3889, Capt C Collett No. 70 Sqn. Engine Gnome 160hp.
This Fokker wouldn’t run consistently on this occasion, so didn’t go up.
Fokker D.VIII by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Fokker D.VIII TVAL reproduction ZK-FES (as E.V 157/18 assigned to Jasta 6). Engine TVAL-built Oberursel UR II.
Note that the ZK regos in On The Wings Of History are swapped.
Fokker D.VIII Oil by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
TVAL’s first Albatros D.Va Replica by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
More flightline walk photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/albums/72157663724715029
No more additions until my Monday morning (which is ANZAC Day), as I am off to Masterton tomorrow! If we are lucky, we will see the LVG C.VI up!
There were various mountings in use, I’d hesitate to make a definitive statement without knowing which one was fitted.
TVAL’s Nieuport 11 (a US-built replica, rather than a TVAL reproduction) represents an Italian-built machine. It’s mounting is quite different from the S.E.5a’s.
Nieuport’s Fokker counter by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
One of TVAL’s S.E.5a trio by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
I omitted to mention earlier the reason for these events – they let the public see more of the collection than is possible at air shows, while the pilots are practising operating the machines, especially in concert.
The Sopwith Triplane replica followed the Pup up.
TVAL_Jan16_1829flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Sopwith Triplane replica, TVAL-finished USA project “N533 (Lt R Collishaw No.10 (Naval) Sqn) Black Maria” ZK-SOP. Engine Warner 165hp.
First flight 21/2/2008
Scout pair – Tripe & Pup by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Then it was time for what I thought would be the highlight of the day. Despite TVAL having built 3 flying reproductions, I hadn’t even set eyes on one until a year earlier. E7643 was on the flightline, would this be the day I’d see one fly? After a bit of mucking around under the fuselage,
Easy access! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Gene climbed in, and Bevan swung the prop.
Swinging the Snipe by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Gene takes the Snipe out by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
And first public flight!
This was planned for the day before, but the weather closed in before it happened.
TVAL Snipe E7643 Airborne by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe TVAL reproduction “E7643” ZK-SBY. Engine TVAL-built Bently BR2 230hp.
First flight 4/1/2015
TVAL Snipe flyby by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Gene returns Snipe to Flightline by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
More Snipe photos:
This season
Last season’s hangar visit
If conditions are right, the aircraft will point away from the flightline, and takeoff virtually from the spot. With minimal wind and no other traffic at the time (non-flying pilots have walkie-talkies available), the Pup blasted off.
Running up
Pup runs up by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Has moved a few plane-lengths 11:12:49am
And a short taxi in the Pup by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Accelerating away 11:12:56am
Sopwith Pup replica rolls by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Airborne 11:13:01am
And Pup take-off by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Sopwith Pup TVAL Reproduction “N6205 (F/Cdr J Fall No 3 (Naval) Sqn)” ZK-PPY. Engine Le Rhone 80hp
First Flight 12/05/2012
Sopwith Pup reproduction by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Sopwith Pup underside by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
No time to rest… actually, maybe just a breather while someone else swings a prop!
Gene De Marco, TVAL Production Manager and Chief Pilot
Bevan Dewes, keen young man (and Chippie owner)
John Bargh, local topdresser (and Air Tractor owner)
Almost looks like work! š by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Classic 504K by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Avro 504K original, new-build for NZ Permanent Air Force 1925 “202” ZK-ACU
History per Peter Lewis
This Avro was one of a batch of six new Avros ordered by the NZ Government in 1925 to replace the WW1 British Government Gift aircraft that had been in use in NZ since 1920.
They were serialled with their constructors numbers, 201 to 206.
These new Avros were in turn replaced by DH60 Moths, and the four survivors were sold onto the civil market in 1931.
202 was sold to J A Thomas, Frankton Junction who did not use it before passing the Avro on to F C Norton, Wanganui.
Norton crashed it at Wanganui 23Jan36. Remains to C Parker of New Plymouth. Airframe then to E R Brewster, who utilised some of the timber to construct his Flying Flea (which is now at the Taranaki Transport Museum). The remains of the Avro also went to the Taranaki Aviation Marine & Transport Museum & then to The Vintage Aero Club 1987 for rebuild by Stuart Tantrum at Levin.
When this fell through, and Stuart went to Omaka, the Avro bits went with him.
First flight after TVAL rebuild 2/4/2009
This aircraft’s logbook contains a who’s who of NZ 1920’s aviation.
Cheers Avro Avian. I’ll list next season’s shows at the end of this sequence of posts.
First fliers were a pair of B.E.2s
B.E.2f heads out by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
B.E.2f original A1325 ZK-BFR, rebuilt TVAL (with prior work by others, was thought to be a B.E.2e). Engine TVAL-built R.A.F.1a 90hp
History (per TVAL webpage)
It was believed to be part of a batch of BE.2’s delivered to Norway by the RFC in 1917. It was eventually donated to the Mosquito Museum in the UK (the BE.2 being an early DeHavilland design), and after several years it found it’s way into private ownership – and put up for sale in WW1 Aero magazine. It was acquired by the NZ based 1914-18 Aviation Heritage Trust over 10 years ago. The fuselage was in great condition, with a lot of original timber in airworthy standard. A set of reproduction wings had been made for it in the UK (not entirely accurately as it turned out), and it arrived with an original RAF 1a engine in very poor condition
First NZ flight 26/03/2009
TVAL_Jan16_1502flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
B.E.2c-1 TVAL Reproduction marked as B.E.2a “347” ZK-TVA. Engine Renault 80hp
History (per TVAL webpage)
“When we took possession of the BE2f restoration project we decided to build a reproduction BE2f and also two reproduction BE2cās- one each of early and later style. The main differences being in the engine, inlet and exhaust, landing gear, fin, centre section, bracing wires and wing profile.”
First NZ flight 10/11/2010
Note pre-roundel Union Jack markings from 1914 and skid undercarriage.
The pair ambled over to the grass runway, and made their sedate way skywards. I thought this would be a good time to pop back into the hangar, and look at the original Camel that was on show for the first time. On my previous visit a year earlier, most aircraft had left the airfield for a practice session after takeoff before returning for their demonstration some minutes later.
However I’d barely started with the Camel (which I’d only seen a couple of photos of)
Hangar talk by the Camel by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
when I heard the B.E.2’s coming back, and headed outside. Don’t worry, more Camel photos later.
Bee pair by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
The flying action on display is of course limited by these events not being airshows, so generous height (and I assume other) restrictions apply. But the pilots go through their planned routines, for their benefit and ours.
Given the somewhat dull conditions, and my other somewhat better opportunities to see these examples, that’s your lot for airborne photos of this pair. To give an idea of the distance the demonstrations are at, that shot was at 185mm (with my Nikkor 80-400mm VR.I on Nikon D7000, so ~275mm equiv), cropped by a further factor of 1.3 or so.
Classix Bee by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
B.E.2f returns to the flightline by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
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