Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

General Discussion => Campfire Talk => Topic started by: AgentX on August 13, 2012, 06:13:12 pm

Title: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: AgentX on August 13, 2012, 06:13:12 pm
Did you know director Peter Jackson did this?

http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/

Wow.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: jdrouin on August 13, 2012, 08:27:27 pm
Very cool! I study WWI so that's an interesting website.

I saw a Fokker DVII replica yesterday. Took my 2.5-year-old son (in the blue shirt and shades) to a fly-in for older planes at the Birthplace of Will Rogers in Oologah, OK. There was so much activity. You could walk onto the field to look at the planes, talk to the pilots, etc., all while aircraft were moving about you, taking off, and buzzing the field. Needless to say, it blew his mind.

Takeoff video: https://vimeo.com/47469175 (https://vimeo.com/47469175)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7775669084_786cf212c7_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8291/7775672162_d50ac50a8d_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7775675848_43b14f8ff0_z.jpg)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7775679108_4914ed4ba8_z.jpg)

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7775682254_9798aaea55_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Maturin on August 13, 2012, 09:59:33 pm
The little one with the shades is way too cool  ;D
Ah, the D VII! It was such a superior fighter, after the armistice the Allied wanted ALL of them handed over or scraped!
And it was one of the obstetricians of BMW, their high-compressing straight-six allowed extraordinary power output at great altitude. The Prussian army administration immediately ordered 2000 units, that was 1917.
As a direct result of the lost war and the ban to built airplanes, BMW decided to conquer new frontiers and 1923 they released the R23. The BMW badge is an art-deco-propeller.
So basically this plane is the origin of all the fine Boxers from Munich.
Best regards
Maturin
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on August 13, 2012, 11:16:49 pm
Did you happen to ask what kind of engine was in it? There was one at Bartlesville a few years ago that was powered by an inverted Ranger Engine, meaning it was cylinders up.
Much more original cockpit.
They are cool airplanes.
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Arizoni on August 13, 2012, 11:40:04 pm
Thanks for the link to a really neat site !!

Who knew the Albatross D. V's Mercedes OHC 6 was sitting right there in front of the pilot so he could watch the valves working as they threw oil drops back into his face?
Ah!  Back when planes were planes and men were men!  ;D

Nowadays, the only real men ride Royal Enfields (and older Harleys). 
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: GlennF on August 14, 2012, 01:05:22 am
The flight simulator Rise of Flight is a must have for WWI flight enthusiasts. Its free to download with a basic plane set of SPAD 13 and Albatros D.Va (they make their money out of selling extra planes sets).

http://riseofflight.com/tryrof/en

(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac325/LF_Artwork/RoF/p6.jpg)

(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac325/LF_Artwork/RoF/p4.jpg)

(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac325/LF_Artwork/RoF/p16.jpg)

(http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac325/LF_Artwork/RoF/Stripe3.jpg)


Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: jdrouin on August 14, 2012, 01:51:03 am
Nice pics, Bare. The pilot wasn't around when we were looking at the plane, so I didn't get a chance to ask questions.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Chuck D on August 14, 2012, 02:04:53 pm
Hey Jeff,
Charlie's growing like a weed. Very cool pics.
Chuck.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: The Garbone on August 14, 2012, 04:44:50 pm
Very cool.

2 weeks ago I bought my wife a flying lesson on a Stearman biplane.

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/Blues/63225e38.jpg)

At FANTASY OF FLIGHT  (http://www.fantasyofflight.com/) down here in Florida.

It is a private aircraft museum run with the owners proceeds from evil oil royalties.   They have many warehouses full of origanal aircraft motors and he has sent a few to Peter Jackson who disected them and put them into cad for reproduction. 

The cool thin about Fantasy of Flight is all the musuem pieces are air worthy.  The owner was flying about in his P-51B when we were there. 

(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/Blues/th_886aafef.jpg) (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h165/thegarbone/Blues/?action=view&current=886aafef.mp4)
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: The Garbone on August 14, 2012, 04:58:04 pm
The owners blog..

http://blog.kermitweeks.com/
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: jartist on August 14, 2012, 04:59:23 pm
When I was a kid there was a guy who ran two stearmans for hire out of a nearby airport. That low, slow radial put a smile on my face every time I heard that music.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: boggy on August 14, 2012, 06:22:23 pm
2 weeks ago I bought my wife a flying lesson on a Stearman biplane.

Good man!  I wish I was your wife.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: boggy on August 14, 2012, 06:22:56 pm
Good man!  I wish I was your wife.

Er... you know what I mean.  :o ;)
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on August 14, 2012, 06:26:07 pm
In my younger days, I got to fly a lot of little homebuilt biplanes and instructed in Stearmans. Open cockpit biplanes are still my favorite flying machines. I think the one I enjoyed the most was a Starduster 2 that a friend let me fly any time I wanted to. It was a great machine for fun flying and aerobatics.
I about fell out of it once while inverted because of the way the seat belt was mounted. I didn't do any more negative stuff in it. but it was still great fun. Kinda like an Enfield, just total pleasure.
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: jdrouin on August 14, 2012, 07:15:03 pm
Hey Jeff,
Charlie's growing like a weed. Very cool pics.
Chuck.

Thanks! Yeah, he's big for his age and talking up a storm.

For anyone interested, here's a short compilation video of various planes in action. I think my favorite (aside from the DVII) is the Beechcraft V-Tail. I used to love those when I was a kid.

https://vimeo.com/47488664 (https://vimeo.com/47488664)

There were also antique cars, motorcycles (mostly 30s and 40s Harleys), and Cushman scooters in the parking lot.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on August 14, 2012, 08:16:19 pm
I forgot to mention that my biplane flying days were out of Harvey Young in Tulsa when it was was a very active EAA Chapter 10 homebuilt airport. I guess they moved out to Gundy's
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Arizoni on August 14, 2012, 11:16:04 pm
Speaking of old radial engines, I always get a chuckle out of the "Starting a Radial Engine" video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkcX0KGIBwk
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: jartist on August 15, 2012, 03:11:15 am
I like the starter on this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X3IL9taEa4&feature=related
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: jdrouin on August 15, 2012, 03:34:17 am
I forgot to mention that my biplane flying days were out of Harvey Young in Tulsa when it was was a very active EAA Chapter 10 homebuilt airport. I guess they moved out to Gundy's
Bare

I'm in Tulsa now and drove by Gundy's the other week. My uncle and his family just moved to Owasso, believe it or not, and you drive past Gundy's to get to their place. Kind of strange for a New York/New England family to be gravitating here.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on August 15, 2012, 05:52:33 pm
I have a friend/ex-brother-in-law who lives in Owasso about 4 miles north of Gundy's, plus a few other relatives in the Tulsa area.
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: GlennF on August 16, 2012, 12:26:05 am
I'm in Tulsa now and drove by Gundy's the other week. My uncle and his family just moved to Owasso, believe it or not, and you drive past Gundy's to get to their place. Kind of strange for a New York/New England family to be gravitating here.

Believe it or not, they used to start Tiger tanks that way ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROnb5ouBjNc&playnext=1&list=PLA957C46A5EA8E16C&feature=results_main
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: ridgerunner on August 16, 2012, 05:11:18 am
There is a neat place in Upstate New York called the Rhinebeck Aerodrome that has several WWI aircraft. They put on dog fights and even give rides
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on August 18, 2012, 06:09:30 pm
If any of you guys would like a Powerpoint  slide show of the Last Biplane Rendezvous, email me, barenekd@earthlink.net
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: ridgerunner on August 22, 2012, 02:23:30 am
There is a neat place in Upstate New York called the Rhinebeck Aerodrome that has several WWI aircraft. They put on dog fights and even give rides

And if anyone is interested, the Hudson Valley area has some incredible roads for riding.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on August 29, 2012, 06:43:31 pm
I watched the DVII video. That sounds like a Rotax engine. With the shape of the nose it would fit in there. And the prop is definitely geared down.
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: single on September 04, 2012, 04:38:33 am
Today I decided to ride out to the Veterans Cemetery.
While there,as I was looking at the clam shells left marooned on the bank as the water level of the lake receded due to the drought,a wwI era biplane circled overhead.
The coons have had a feast on the clams.
I do not understand where the clams came from.
The biplane was a greenish color,from where I stood.
I believe it was an Allied plane,I do not know what it was.
Cool,unexpected treat.
I would like to think the pilot was looking at
Jolly,but I believe he was paying respects to the fallen.He circled the cemetery and flew back the way he came.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: single on September 05, 2012, 08:38:18 pm
I have an,um,airport in my backyard.I like to think of it that way,anyhow.
A friend of mine pulled in yesterday and went to the backyard,I thought he was checking out the lagoon,but he said no there was a biplane over at the airport.So,we drove around to the airport parking lot and there sat a repro of a "33 Waco open cockpit biplane.
Yup,it was the one I saw at the cemetery.
The pilot bought it as a total and rebuilt it.Dark blue with gold accents.
It had been wrecked in a bad landing,but you would never know that now.
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: GlennF on September 12, 2012, 02:04:35 am
This link might interest people with an interest in aviation history:

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/Stories/tabid/116/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/367/language/en-CA/Manufactured-Victory.aspx

(http://www.vintagewings.ca/Portals/0/Vintage_Stories/News%20Stories%20E/Manufacturing%20Victory/Factory61.jpg)

(http://www.vintagewings.ca/Portals/0/Vintage_Stories/News%20Stories%20E/Manufacturing%20Victory/Factory76.jpg)

(http://www.vintagewings.ca/Portals/0/Vintage_Stories/News%20Stories%20E/Manufacturing%20Victory/Factory89.jpg)
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Lwt Big Cheese on October 06, 2012, 07:55:34 pm
I went out today and checked out a memorial that I have passed countless times.

I was one month too late.



Check out this link:
http://www.ourletchworth.org.uk/page_id__326_path__.aspx
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on October 06, 2012, 09:51:33 pm
Interesting reading! I always thought the Deperdussins were cool. The one in Magnificent Men was my favorite.
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Lwt Big Cheese on October 07, 2012, 06:44:06 pm
That stuff was flying today at the Shuttleworth collection.

Talking of bi-planes here's one from earlier (!):
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: barenekd on October 07, 2012, 08:10:04 pm
Good old Sopwith Tripehound, the plane that  brought on the more famous Fokker Triplane. The Tripehound was quite successful in its day though.
Bare
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Lwt Big Cheese on October 07, 2012, 08:20:28 pm
Bare they flew the following:
Red Gnat Team
Hawker Hunter T7 A G-FFOX
de Havilland Vampire T11
Gloster Gladiator
Jet Provost
DH60X Moth
Comper Swift
DH Chipmunk
Douglas Dakota (Battle of Britain Memorial Flight)
Miles Gemini
Avro Anson
de Havilland DH89 Rapide
Slingsby T13 Petrel Glider
Eon Primary Glider
Percival Piston Provost
Edge 540
Sopwith Pup
Sopwith Triplane
Bristol F2b Fighter
SE5a
Hawker Hind
Hawker Demon
Bleriot
Bristol Boxkite
Deperdussin
Avro Triplane
Blackburn Monoplane Type - D (100th Anniversary 1912-2012) The oldest british-built airworthy aeroplane in the world!
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: GlennF on October 08, 2012, 12:08:51 am
That Shuttleworth Gladiator is a lovely airplane. I made a skin pack of it for the WWII game IL2 a few years back.

http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Downloads2&file=details&id=5244

(http://www.mission4today.com/uploads/downloads/images/2009/09/4472_shuttle1.jpg)
Title: Re: Lord of the Biplanes
Post by: Lwt Big Cheese on October 08, 2012, 07:43:54 am
Oh wow!