robbo
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90
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Post by robbo on Mar 18, 2012 10:21:04 GMT 12
Here are some photos from yesterday's Press launch of the RAF Museum's recently completed Sopwith Dolphin Mk.1 C3988. It's a real beauty that you really need to see for yourselves rather than relying on photos. The attention to detail and standard of finish is wonderful. Larger photos available on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/shuttleworthpix/sets/72157629240913436/  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9805 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9813 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9891 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9896 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9906 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9852 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9867 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9883 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9884 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9888 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9901 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9878 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9902 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9872 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9905 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9910 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9844 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9834 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin Press Launch_9916 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr |
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robbo
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90
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Post by robbo on Mar 18, 2012 10:21:58 GMT 12
Here are a few photos that I took at Cosford during the restoration:  Hispano Suiza 8B by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  LVG C.VI and Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin C3988 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin C3988 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr  Sopwith Dolphin C3988 by shuttleworthpix, on Flickr |
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Post by Officer Crabtree on Mar 18, 2012 11:05:08 GMT 12
Nice looking reproduction.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 18, 2012 13:37:19 GMT 12
Apparently this build incorporates a number of parts from original Dolphins - D5329 C3988 C4033 and D3725.
The largest section - a six foot length of rear fuselage framework - is from C3988 so this was the ID adopted.
The rear fuselage build incorporates original side frame members and two centre section struts are original but the rest of the wood structure is new build.
The project uses an original 220 hp Hispano-Suiza engine which was purchased as one of a pair from a private vendor in New York State, USA, in 1969 and shipped to the UK in 1970.
So make up your own mind if this is a restoration or a reproduction.
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Post by baz62 on Mar 18, 2012 14:45:01 GMT 12
Even at a distance the workmanship put into this is outstanding. Hope I can get close with my Auster rebuild!  ! |
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 18, 2012 15:05:44 GMT 12
Beautiful pics! My favourite section of the RAF Museum is the Grahame White Hangar and seeing the Dolphin in there is a real treat! Lets hope they finish that LVG soon and get that in there too.
As for repro or original; that argument will never die since almost every surviving WW1 aircraft incorporates new build and original sections. At Hendon, the Great War machines are almost all originals, but for the fact that many of them (those that were in the Nash collection) used to be flyers, so how much 'original' structure survives is debateable. This is with the exception of the Pup, which was a new build by Desmond St Cyrien incorporating a few original parts, although he concocted a tale about a hangar near Le Bourget full of WW1 airframes.
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Post by Brett on Mar 18, 2012 15:40:28 GMT 12
Did I hear that the RAF Museum is also getting RE.8 and Albatross D.Va reporoductions from TVAL?
Or was that wild speculation on someones part?
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robbo
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90
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Post by robbo on Mar 18, 2012 15:50:31 GMT 12
Did I hear that the RAF Museum is also getting RE.8 and Albatross D.Va reporoductions from TVAL? Or was that wild speculation on someones part? We've heard the same rumour at this end. There's also been a rumour about a Snipe. I'm happy to wait and see what turns up, but I'm saddened by the aeroplanes that are supposed to be involved in the trade. |
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 18, 2012 22:46:34 GMT 12
If I was after rare WW1 airframes that are neither available nor existent, I would go to TVAL. Certainly makes sense. What's involved in the trade that you've heard, Robbo?
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Post by flyjoe180 on Mar 19, 2012 8:01:31 GMT 12
Beautiful restoration/reproduction of what has to be one of the rarest aeroplanes in the world.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 19, 2012 13:55:04 GMT 12
Super photos Rob. It's great to see this aeroplane looking so beuatifully turned out. Wel done to all involved. Thanks for posting the photos from the event.
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 20, 2012 11:58:21 GMT 12
A wee snippet from the rumour mill. It appears that RAFM have ordered a Albatros D V, maybe D Va, Snipe and RE.8 from TVAL and for an exchange a Farman and this little beastie might be coming here.   It's a Hanriot HD-1 and used to fly before it was gifted to the RAF Museum, so it's potentially flyable. No doubt TVAL will probably overhaul it, but it'll be an interesting and different little machine at flying displays, that's if it is restored to flying condition. |
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Post by Officer Crabtree on Mar 20, 2012 16:30:34 GMT 12
Ooooh, funny thing. Tail of a Spad, fuselage of a Nieuport and interesting looking wings. I want one here  |
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Post by John L on Mar 20, 2012 16:53:12 GMT 12
In exchange for a Farman....ooo goody
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 20, 2012 22:49:37 GMT 12
Heavy as buggery. Back in 2003 we had to move a few aircraft around before the official opening of the Grahame White hangar, to make room for more aeroplanes to go in. The Hanriot for some reason was extremely heavy at the tail compared to the Pup and Tripe.
Hanriot built Sopwith 1 1/2 strutters under licence at Billancourt, France and the HD-1 was the firm's only fighter. The Eyeties built more than the original factory under licence (Nieuport-Macchi) and the US Navy used them as well. The French chose the Spad 7 over the Hanriot, although it was a decent fighter; Belgian ace Willy Coppens shot down most of his victories in the type.
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robbo
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90
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Post by robbo on Mar 22, 2012 9:10:33 GMT 12
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 22, 2012 14:23:22 GMT 12
Great stuff, good to see that; I've never seen it before. That caption might be out by only a year, because I think (could be wrong) the photo might have been taken at Hendon in 1936. I think the Farman last flew in 1938.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2012 14:50:50 GMT 12
If that is the same Maurice Farman as I think it is, I recall Bill Kain told us that he and Cobber Kain and a few of the boys from No. 73 Squadron almost took it for a flight, till they got caught and severely told off. From memory it was at Hendon or one of the other places where they were preparing for an air pageant (Bill and Cobber were in the display team). I think he said they actually got it started, or very nearly did at least. haha. Can just imagine these mad capped kiwi farm boys trying to get the museum relic going.
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 22, 2012 15:03:43 GMT 12
That's a great wee anecdote, Dave! I might have gotten it wrong, the place in the photo is probably Hendon, but the date, 1937 is most likely accurate, as it flew at the Hendon air display in both 1936 and '37. The Maurice Farman was part of the Nash Collection, a chappie called R.G. Nash collected a heap of WW1 aircraft and for a time had them stored at RAF Hendon, although they were also at Brooklands for awhile. Almost all of the WW1 stuff in the RAF Museum collection is from Nash. Most of them flew as well.
At the time the Kiwis probably played around with it, it was still with Nash, although I think by 1938 it had permanently moved to Brooklands. I'll have to read up about it a bit more...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2012 19:47:52 GMT 12
I'm not 100% certain of my facts because it was the mid-1990's Bill told us that story, but I'll check with my mate who was there, Kerry (fockewulf on the forum) as he has a sharper memory of the conversations with Bill than I do. We taped a lot of it but this one is not on the tape sadly. He may be able to add more or correct what I said. Bill was in the display team a couple of years running, so I'm not certain which show it was, may not have been hendon but I had a feeling he said it was.
There was a photo I saw somewhere, I think on Flight Global, of all the old stuff lined up with a load of new gear like Hurricane, Spitifre, Defiant, etc. We thought it may have been that occasion he referred to.
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