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Post by ZacYates on Dec 14, 2019 8:36:40 GMT 12
The news section of Classic Wings issue 35 mentions the import of the Swanson Fokker D.IV among others, and a couple of years later this appeared in that same publication’s News: Generated from my Apple iPhone using tools.sportscard.tradeFull credit and copyright etc to Classic Wings magazine and Jay McIntyre where applicable.
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 14, 2019 11:08:41 GMT 12
Thanks Zac. Now I've got On The Wings Of History to hand, the only extra info in it (apart from several photos) is 'This aircraft has not been flown at a NZ airshow, but from time to time has been seen standing at rest next to some of its Fokker brethren.'
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Post by ErrolC on May 14, 2020 18:11:37 GMT 12
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Post by steveh on May 15, 2020 19:26:34 GMT 12
I hadn't seen this thread before, rather exciting stuff. I'm guessing from the vid that it has a Gnome rotary rather than the Siemens Halske motor en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siemens-Halske_Sh.III that was original to them? Steve.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2020 19:54:10 GMT 12
Now they need to find someone mad enough to attempt to fly it. That's the most unlikely bit.
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Post by campbellbox on May 16, 2020 12:54:10 GMT 12
Is there something about this type which is particularly tricky? The recent DH4 crash in the USA (https://www.wnky.com/world-war-1-era-plane-badly-damaged-after-crash-landing/) made me think about what a great safety record TVAL has had with their aircraft.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 16, 2020 14:05:32 GMT 12
When I was up there in March with Bevan and we were helping Frank, Nick, and the Bens put it together for the airshow, Bevan and Nick were discussing it. The upshot is it basically has no tail to speak of, it's so tiny, so there's very little control for the pilot. This one does not have the original engine, so there's not as much airflow over the tail as a WWI example would have had, lessening it's effect even more. And the guy who built this built the other one at Omaka, and there's a reason it's grounded in the museum, because it apparently nearly killed the guy. so the sensible pilots are all not that keen on the idea of giving it a go.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on May 16, 2020 15:40:58 GMT 12
It does look like it would be a handful. So has this one actually been flown overseas?
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 16, 2020 16:33:44 GMT 12
It has flown, but not too successfully by all accounts.
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Post by Brett on May 16, 2020 16:33:51 GMT 12
The two Siemens-Schuckerts in NZ were built by different people.
The Omaka one was built by Harry Wooldridge and Bill Cole, and flew with a Warner radial.
The NZ Warbirds one was built by Carl Swanson and flew with a Gnome 9N. It ended up parked on it's roof on what I believe was it's last flight. That was caused by a fuel problem, rather than a handling issue.
Both replicas are built using different materials and structures than the original. In places they also vary considerably from the original dimensions. That means that the flying characteristics are substantially different from the original - the pilot is essentially flying a new type.
Jerry Thornhill flew the Warbirds S.IV in the US. He is the guy that built the Camel replica now with TVAL, and was an experienced WWI replica pilot.
It is not a beginners plane, but it has flown for at least 6.5 hours.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 16, 2020 17:37:10 GMT 12
Thanks Brett, sorry I got it wrong that they were built by the same guy.
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Post by ErrolC on May 16, 2020 19:47:01 GMT 12
When I was up there in March with Bevan and we were helping Frank, Nick, and the Bens put it together for the airshow, Bevan and Nick were discussing it. The upshot is it basically has no tail to speak of, it's so tiny, so there's very little control for the pilot. This one does not have the original engine, so there's not as much airflow over the tail as a WWI example would have had, lessening it's effect even more. And the guy who built this built the other one at Omaka, and there's a reason it's grounded in the museum, because it apparently nearly killed the guy. so the sensible pilots are all not that keen on the idea of giving it a go. Sounds even worse than the LVG C.VI then.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 16, 2020 20:31:27 GMT 12
Mind you I think all those WWI types present challenges of their own and the pilots flying them are all very experienced, professional and safety conscious. I would not be surprised if they do get it flying but it might be one of those ones that's for rare occasions and perfect conditions.
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Post by ErrolC on May 16, 2020 20:35:40 GMT 12
Mind you I think all those WWI types present challenges of their own and the pilots flying them are all very experienced, professional and safety conscious. I would not be surprised if they do get it flying but it might be one of those ones that's for rare occasions and perfect conditions. Given it is apparently somewhat the wrong shape, there can't be much 'correctness' objection to making adjustments for safety's sake (unlike the LVG)? In any case, best of luck however they decide to progress.
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Post by ErrolC on May 18, 2020 9:16:47 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Aug 15, 2020 9:16:24 GMT 12
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piwiair
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 3
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Post by piwiair on Sept 20, 2020 20:14:00 GMT 12
Hi Guys Just an update for you on SSW - she has been fast taxied along the grass and so far has performed well, and trust me, the temptation was great to hop, skip and jump ;-). We're just waiting for CAA to give her the once over for a temp CofA hopefully in the coming week and then test flying to commence. And then if all OK, CoA issued and flying. The intent is really only for airshow and display flights - so we hopefully should see her in the air with 7-10 days. Frank Parker has been approved as test pilot for her. PS the Fokker error in reg, was at CAA, we have had it updated correctly now.
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Post by ErrolC on Sept 20, 2020 20:54:51 GMT 12
Thanks for the update! I wondered with all the people around for the Battle of Britain flypast if there would be activity with the SSW today.
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Post by hrvd1068 on Sept 21, 2020 19:03:03 GMT 12
We fired her up yesterday afternoon for 5minutes just to make sure the spinner was good to go.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Sept 21, 2020 21:40:27 GMT 12
Not sure if it was just the wind direction the other day when the fast taxi trials were being done but it is properly loud compared to the other WWI machines!
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