The Vintage Aviator Ltd Hangar

[nuuumannn]

Hi Guys, some images taken inside the TVAL hangar. It is worth noting that, aside from the Triplane, Dr I and one of the Camels, these aircraft are exact reproductions. They are all powered by original or specially manufactured replicas of the types' original engines. Some incorporate original components and are considered by TVAL as "original" airframes, as much as a genuine airworthy Great War aircraft operating in a modern civil aviation environment can be. The sheer number of aircraft can be appreciated in the overviews of the hangar. Bear in mind that this represents around half of TVAL's overall collection, which includes at least three SE.5as, none of which are currently flyable because of engine overhauls and so forth. It is worth remembering that all the aircraft in this hangar are maintained in flying condition.

Bristol F.2b. This aircraft is built from original components that were formerly part of the RAF Museum collection. Its fuselage was one of six that were discovered in a barn along with other components after the war and it is powered by an original Rolls-Royce Falcon engine. It was restored by Sky Sport Engineering and flew with the Fighter Collection at Duxford before being bought by Peter Jackson.

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Cockpit and rear gunner's hole. The spigots hold spare magazines for the MG. The aircraft is faithful to the original in that it cannot be flown without a back-seater as ballast.

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Snipe.

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Pup.

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Fok D VIII cockpit.

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B.E.2c.

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Albatros D II.

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D II cockpit.

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B.E.12 cockpit.

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Dr I built for the Blue Max film. Note the tail wheel and radial engine, betraying its inauthenticity compared to the rest of the aircraft in the hangar.

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Dr I cockpit.

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Triplane. This is powered by a radial as opposed to a rotary.

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More to come.

 

[nuuumannn]

More from the TVAL hangar.


Former RAF Museum Hanriot HD-1. I remember moving this very aeroplane when I worked at the RAF Museum. Its tail was quite heavy to lift by comparison to the others of its size, which, when I spoke with the TVAL guys, they agreed with me. I asked its pilot if that was noticeable in the air, to which he said not really, but he did note that the HD-1 is difficult to land by comparison to the others in that it has to be three-pointed because the wheels are so far forward, whereas the others can be wheeled in on their main gear.

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DH-4. This is powered by a genuine Liberty V-12 engine.

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The DH-4 was sophisticated for a Great War aircraft in that it had an electrical system powering lights and other things. This was powered by the generator mounted on its port side. Being an exact reproduction, it is functional as originally intended.

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F.E.2b. The Fee is currently not flying as its engine is undergoing overhaul. It is an original Beardmore that was bought from a collector in Uruguay. When I worked at the RAF Museum this was being negotiated and I remember visiting the museum years after I left and chatting to the Aircraft Curator, he got annoyed, growling at me that "some bluddy New Zealand movie producer" had swooped in and nabbed the Beardmore engine that the RAF Museum had its eye on for years for its Fee. This image doesn't do it justice but the Fee is a big aeroplane.

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Albatros D Va, one of two in the hangar. TVAL has completed several Albatri of this kind and the RAF Museum and Kermit Weeks are both recipients of TVAL-built Albatri.

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Nieuport 11.

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Camel. This is one of two Camels in the collection. It is the non-original aircraft, its fuselage is of welded steel construction, but it has been modified with a period rotary radial, authentic if not original wooden wings and other cosmetic refinements to bring it back to near authentic condition. TVAL's other Camel is an original airframe restored to airworthy condition.

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An essential part of the collection, this Tiger Moth is used to enable pilots to transition onto tail draggers and to gain handling experience before graduating onto the Great War types. From the Tiger, pilots move onto the Nieuport first, before going onto the likes of the Pup, which are relatively easy to fly compared to the others. As their experience grows they then graduate onto the more challenging aircraft.

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LVG C VI

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B.E.2f. This is an original restoration to flying condition. It was painstakingly brought back to authentic condition from derelict components. It is the only original B.E.2 family aircraft currently airworthy.

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The other D Va.

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Some hangar overviews.

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More here: The Vintage Aviator Ltd Hangar, 2023

Thanks for looking.

 

[rochie]

great stuff Grant

 

[Snautzer01]

I am with Chef. I had a good and pleasent read for the morning coffee. Thanks!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Airframes]

Great selection Grant.

 

[Capt. Vick]

There is definitely something special about WW I planes

 

[nuuumannn]

I am with Chef. I had a good and pleasent read for the morning coffee. Thanks!

Thanks man. Like wot Capt Vick says, these aircraft are otherworldly. they are captivating in a way that more modern aircraft are not. They have a different impact on the senses as well. They sound, look and smell so extraordinary.

 

[tyrodtom]

I notice in several of the cockpit views ( German and British) there is a small box, with a metal tool in it and with a cloth line on it to keep it from getting lost overboard.
Is this a small hammer to beat on the gun to help clear jams?

 

[Gnomey]

Great shots Grant!

 

[nuuumannn]

I notice in several of the cockpit views ( German and British) there is a small box, with a metal tool in it and with a cloth line on it to keep it from getting lost overboard.
Is this a small hammer to beat on the gun to help clear jams?

Hi Tom, they are cutting blades. I couldn't tell you their use off the top of my head.