for the aviation enthusiasts...

[sheets]

The craftsman, tools and technology of the day created some amazing machines. The black pusher with the yellow bomb load is particularly amazing. Not to mention the pilots. 

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/message/1385149639/Photos+from+The+Vintage+Aviator+Ltd%27s+Remembrance+Day+airshow

[John Schmidt]

I recall seeing a demo video some time back where the old jalopy rolled up to the front of the plane and stuck that rod into the center of the prop to start it. Often wondered if I had the chance, would I actually want to fly one of those old planes. Probably would be a once in a lifetime thrill, pucker factor not withstanding.  

[Fritz The Cat]

If you're looking for the pucker factor, try an ultra lite ride on a windy day.

[Patrick]

Beautiful pictures ! That had to be a great show !
I love old airplanes and those looked to be true to the original as they could get them including the Suiza, Mercedes and various rotary engines.
Those old planes were/are a real handful. Most have a speed of 10 mph between full speed and stall, they hadn't quite completely figured out this aviation thing yet.
The pilots of those rotary engine monsters wore goggles and silk scarves for a reason, as shown on the wings. Those engines spinning as they do throw caster oil over everything and it was normal for the pilots to have to run like hell to the john immediately after landing, many never made it that far and had to hose themselves off. Plus they had to control engine speed thru the ignition rather than the carburetor.

Great pictures !

[RP#62]

Awesome pics, thanks for sharing.  One of the things that always amazed me about that era was that the preeminent designers of fighter aircraft at the time were Tom Sopwith and Tony Fokker.  They were both in their mid 20's at the time.   I read somewhere that no two Sopwith Camels were exactly alike as Sopwith kept tinkering with the design during production.

-RP

[Jess from VA]

Those are very cool airplanes. 

They even named one for me, but I am not sitting in that forward observation tub..... unless that Vickers is fully operational.



I guess the slipstream at 90mph would take care of it, but this looks like a good way to get a bunch of hot brass down your neck and lap. 

[old2soon]

Not a WWI A/C but I did have a ride in an open cockpit Stearman. THAT ride is STILL with me even though it was almost 40 years ago. There are a FEW things that stick with me like M/Cs.  THOSE are some fine looking examples of vintage A/C.  RIDE SAFE.

[Patrick]

Not a WWI A/C but I did have a ride in an open cockpit Stearman. THAT ride is STILL with me even though it was almost 40 years ago. There are a FEW things that stick with me like M/Cs.  THOSE are some fine looking examples of vintage A/C.  RIDE SAFE.

A couple friends have Stearmans and I've been giving rides in a WACO. There is nothing like sitting in an open cockpit behind a round engine listening to the wind whistle thru the wires, is there.

[old2soon]

Not a WWI A/C but I did have a ride in an open cockpit Stearman. THAT ride is STILL with me even though it was almost 40 years ago. There are a FEW things that stick with me like M/Cs.  THOSE are some fine looking examples of vintage A/C.  RIDE SAFE.

A couple friends have Stearmans and I've been giving rides in a WACO. There is nothing like sitting in an open cockpit behind a round engine listening to the wind whistle thru the wires, is there.

You got THAT correctamundo.  I have a few hours sitting between a pair of R-1820-82-A on long missions. Sitting behind a big round engine-wind whistling in the wires-smelling the exhaust now and then-the strobe effect from the prop-the indescribable feeling of going inverted-the other feeling of pushing over-the slam into the seat as you recover at the bottom-you MIGHT say I like it a tad!!  RIDE SAFE.

[Jess from VA]

My brother built a Falconar F10 last year.  A newer Canadian version of the old Jodel D9, with a larger engine.  A hundred horse Lycomming, instead of a Volkswagen engine.  Stick built all by himself in about 8 months.  Already has FAA approval.  Open cockpit one seater, so no rides for me.  Weighs less than the valk even with a full gas tank.

Unlike most, he built his with full flaps, for even shorter takeoffs and landings (maybe it's only landings, it's been awhile since I got my aviation merit badge).

Very similar to these:

[Patrick]

[img]http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_4474/stearman 1.jpg
/img]



I'm trying not to highjack this thread. Its too good a thread to do that to.

[sheets]

I've got a few pix of my kid flying a `60s vintage open cockpit Fly Baby. Fuel gauge is a piece of wire on a float sticking up through the cap on the fuel tank - directly in front of the windshield. A mark on the wire lets you know its time to head for the barn. The pix are on a auxiliary hard drive that went gunny-bag recently.  I sent it off to have the files retrieved. Should have the data back in a few days. Can share a few pix if anybody is interested.