Keep TVAL’s SOPWITH SNIPE IN ENGLAND (2)

F2367 was built to its 1917 specification by the Vintage Aviator Ltd in New Zealand in 2011.  It is faithful to its original design in every respect as shown in the video above where you will see evidence of their world beating craftsmanship. TVAL and the WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust’s parent Trust loaned WAHT 4 aircraft so that their exquisite attention to detail can be enjoyed by aviation fans across Europe – 2 BE2es, an Albatros and the Snipe. WAHT’s aim is to advance education in the evolution of military aviation in WW1 and the courage of the crews by creating and maintaining a collection flying late-model WW1 aircraft.  Oliver Wulff, our German Trustee, has since become the  owner of the Albatros and one of the BE2s (A2493) and has generously left the aircraft with WAHT for to manage for at least the Centenary period.  Why not follow Oliver’s example and help keep the Snipe in England.  The Snipe is here under a temporary license until Apr 2016 and will return to NZ then unless a new owner is found

HELP KEEP W O BENTLEY’s LEGACY IN ENGLAND

For more information – info@ww1aviationheritagetrust.co.uk

Tel +44870 919191407

The Sopwith Snipe was the ultimate WW1 fighter aircraft powered by a BR2a rotary engine – W O Bentley’s engineering masterpiece.  With a level flight speed of 130 mph and a climb rate in excess of 1200 ft per min, the Snipe swept all before it. Its late entry had a limited effect on the air war but the Snipe is long-remembered for a classic battle in late October 1918. Canadian Captain William Barker, en route to England following a fortnight’s ‘refresher’ course in France was unable to resist one last look at the Front. He shot down a two-seater that crossed his path before coming under surprise attack by two dozen Fokker D.VIIs. A furious clash ensued during which the feisty Barker was struck a number of times. Shot and badly wounded in both legs and elbow, his Snipe bullet-ridden, Barker succeeded in downing five of his attackers and with a ruptured fuel tank, near fainting through loss of blood, made an emergency landing behind British lines. When recovered he was awarded the VC for his efforts and later wrote: ‘By Jove, I was a foolishboy, but anyhow I taught them a lesson’…