TVAL ARRIVE IN THE UK

[dcw]

Having been an occasional visitor to this forum, I had to register in order to record the arrival at Old Warden of three of TVAL's finest creations.
Out of the box on Friday came the RE8 ZK-TVC/A3930 and a static Sopwith Snipe 'E6655'. Yet to be unwrapped is an Albatros D.V.
The reaction of visitors last night, at a regular Shuttleworth Collection flying evening, was amazing. There's no official statement yet, but it seems we may get a chance to see the RE8 and Albatros fly once or twice before all three airframes join the RAF Museum at Hendon.
Thanks guys, please send more....

[ErrolC]

Cheers, enjoy!
I don't think the Snipe has been on display in NZ, unless you could see it on a TVAL Hangar tour?

[Peter Lewis]

Yes, nice Snipe.

[Dave Homewood]

Welcome to the forum dcw, thanks for the report. Those two look very nice in that hangar!

[aeromuzz]

In a post by Gene DeMarco on the Shuttleworth Collections Facebook page, he says, "The Snipe is a "composite rebuild" made up of unused original parts and used original parts including an original Bentley BR2 engine from the RAF Museum and new build components from TVAL."

www.facebook.com/notes/the-shuttleworth-collection/new-arrivals-we-opened-the-box/10151088710474476

[corsair67]

The British govt sent NZ a number of Lockheed Hudsons in 1942 - NZ repays the favour by sending an RE.8, a Snipe and and Albatros in 2012. ;D

[dcw]

The Albatros emerged this morning. A real work of art, visitors were struggling to find enough superlatives.



I have put more photos in a Flickr collection at:

www.flickr.com/photos/dwhitworth/collections/72157631051743696/

[fwx]

Thanks for the updates dcw, its great to see that the products of TVAL's vision and craftsmanship will get to be appreciated on the other side of the world. We have to be so thankful for this small industry that Sir Peter, Gene DeMarco and all have created around their love of old planes, and the small air force that is taking shape!

[slackie]

Small air force??? It's probably getting bigger than our official Air Force!! It's certainly got more fighters!!!

[nzjet]

Still, what a waste to see two rare flying aircraft going to a museum to sit and most likely never fly again.

[ErrolC]

I assume they were built to order, rather than on spec. Be thankful they exist at all, and that we had the chance to see them fly.

[dcw]

Old Warden Tuesday 14th August:

The RE8 is coming together, wings are on but plenty more to do.

Does anyone have a shot of the RE8 and Albatros flying together?

[Poohbah]

Here you go.

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vintage-Aviator-Collection/130953866975871?ref=hl

[vs]

It is always interesting to see what is going to show up next with TVAL! Still have my fingers crossed for a Gotha bomber! haha

[ngatimozart]

Aug 15, 2012 17:26:29 GMT 12 vs said:

It is always interesting to see what is going to show up next with TVAL! Still have my fingers crossed for a Gotha bomber! haha

Yessssss please

[dcw]

Old Warden Wednesday 15th August:

Thanks for the great shot of the two machines.

Today saw the RE8 assembly complete, she's looking very much at home:



The Albatros was next:

[dcw]

Old Warden Friday 17th August:

[fwx]

What a sight .... that has to be one of the best-looking 'planes ever ... thanks dcw.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Aug 15, 2012 17:26:29 GMT 12 vs said:

It is always interesting to see what is going to show up next with TVAL! Still have my fingers crossed for a Gotha bomber! haha

Well....Wingnut Wings produced a beautiful model of a Gotha bomber.

So the type is obviously in Peter Jackson's mind.

Here's hoping, eh? I'd love to see a squadron of Gotha bombers attacking Hood Aerodrome, with British fighters scrambling to attack them and German fighters defending them. It would be an awesome spectacle. One can only dream that it might come true one day.

[dcw]

The RE8 made her first flight in the UK early this morning at Old Warden (Gene DeMarco in charge). Later on, the RAF Museum officially presented the three aircraft to the press: