Here's a closer look at some of the aircraft taking part in yesterday's display. These are much better quality than most of my aerial shots. I'm no photographer & my automatic camera on full zoom is not suitable for dull conditions. A little bit of sunshine would have made all the difference. Never mind. Better luck next time.

The Sopwith Triplane. The success of this little aircraft forced Anthony Fokker to produce his Dr.I Triplane. This became more well-known than the Sopwith as it was flown by the notorious Red Baron. This example is much more than a normal replica. Quote from the Shuttleworth website. Quote:



The De Havilland DH60x Hermes Moth first flew in 1925. One of the earliest in the successful Moth series of light aircraft that revolutionised private flying in the UK & much of the world between the 2 World Wars.


The only surviving example of the Desoutter I monoplane. Built by Desoutter Aircraft at Croydon it was based on the Dutch designed Koolhoven FK41. Forty-one British built Desoutters were produced between 1929 and 1931. They were used mainly as air taxis or ambulances. This one is just back in service following complete overhaul after bad aileron flutter was experienced.


The Miles Magister. Many BoB fighter pilots were trained on these. Being of all-wooden construction  the "Maggie" is quite rare now, like most Miles aircraft. These are 2 of the only 3 airworthy examples in the world compared with around 50 Tiger Moths.



The Shuttleworth Chipmunk. This is actually a civil Chipmunk 22 in RCAF markings. Not rare but one of my favourite aircraft. It's of metal construction but looks very similar to the "Maggie" which it replaced as the RAF standard ab initio trainer. It became one of the longest serving aircraft in the RAF. 2 examples are still in service with the BBMF as taildragger trainers.

Hi Doug:

Fantastic Shots...keep them coming

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

P.S.  Yes most RCAF Chipmunks had a bubble canopy and some aircraft were produced with an all metal wing while others were half metal and half fabric covered.

How would you like to be the guy who lives in that brown house? 

I marvel that the Magister and Chipmunk look so alike, especially when painted the same trainer yellow, okay, so one has spats, a pointy fin, etc., closed vs open canopies, but darn, using a normal "morphing" program, one can make an animation morphing  the Magister to "turn into" a Chipmunk!

Hi Foz. Glad you finally noticed my shots.

The Sopwith Triplane was fitted with a variety of engines.
Clerget 9Z, 9 cylinder, rotary, 110 hp [82 kw]
Clerget 9B, rotary, 130 hp [96 kw]
Le Rhône, 9 cylinder, 110 hp [82 kw]

I have to admit that I'm not certain which this example has.* ???

All the Shuttleworth aircraft in my photos are airworthy. The ones in this thread all took part in the flying display.

*PS. I just checked. It's the Clerget 9B.

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I visited "Fantasy of Flight" soon after it first opened. I understand a lot has been added since.

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This is the reason I posted both shots together. I wondered if anyone else would notice the similarity. Being more familiar than most with Miles & their aircraft for the best part of my life I always thought they were sadly overlooked. They were extremely talented and prolific designers & many of their projects were well ahead of their time. Unfortunately, maybe too far ahead. It's a shame most of their aircraft were of all-wood construction or more might have survived.

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It's not so much the wood but the glue used in the construction. The joints fail & ply delaminates after so many years depending on the storage conditions. Once the damp gets in you've had it. Modern wooden aircraft assembled with the later adhesives & construction methods should be fine. I think most fuselage structures are now made of steel tubing.

I've lost track of the current warbird scene. So much has been going on. Tempest would be the best person to ask on the Mossie.

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Not offhand. I think I heard it mentioned that one is being restored in the UK. I'm not sure how badly the BAe Mossie was damaged.

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Thanks Dan. It's the Tipsy Trainer. I posted a shot of it flying in one of my other Old Warden threads. Check them out.

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From the pictures of the accident I'd be surprised if there was anything left...

Maggie looks a lot nicer with spats too... Its nice enough without though...

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At the May show in 1996 I suspect it wasn't pleasant when the Slingsby Firefly crashed in the copse to the left of the photo. I think the farm's part of the estate anyway...

Charlie