image The WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust (WAHT) is most fortunate to have been offered help by Paul and Andrew Wood who have been working with Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars since 1967 and have achieved world renown for their attention to detail and thus the many concourse events that their cars have won over the intervening years. Andrew is the first to recognise the kindred spirits in The Vintage Aviator Ltd (TVAL) for the quality and accuracy of their Showroomworkmanship. TVAL build and operate WAHT’s growing fleet of flying WW1 late-model original aircraft – 2 BE2es, Albatros DVa, and the Sopwith Snipe.
image There are two Merlin engines in the PA Wood show rooms and not so long ago a Spitfire had pride of place. To all the supporters of WAHT’s delight, Andrew has asked if the Sopwith Snipe with its Bentley BR2 rotary engine could spend the winter in their show room at Great Dunmow. The Snipe was flying last weekend at Old Warden where Andrew’s unique Sopwith Dove is being restored to flying condition. The Snipe will be moved from there by road on the second full week in August to Stow Maries using the PA Wood covered lorry and all things being equal will be flying at Stow Maries on 15th/16th Aug at the WAHT fly-in (Tickets are available online).
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WAHT are seeking sponsors for both the Snipe and the BE2e already at Stow Maries to gift them through Trust for the nation just as our forebears gifted over 2000 aircraft to the RFC when the Zeppelins started attacking England – a DH2, FE2b, and a Sopwith Strutter are also on WAHT’s sponsor list. WAHT’s ambition is to have built up a flying squadron of 5 WW1 aircraft by 2018 so that by the end of the Centenary period together with all the preservation work of SMGWA, Stow Maries is once again an operational Home Defence RFC aerodrome and an enduring centre of excellence that is host to a vibrant visitor experience, an inspirational apprenticeship scheme, and a year round programme of STEM and schools’ activities!