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.