For most conspicuous bravery, endurance and skill, when attacked at an altitude of 9,000 feet; the petrol tank was pierced and the machine set on fire. Enveloped in flames, which his Observer, Lt. Gower was unable to subdue, this very gallant soldier succeeded in bringing his aeroplane back to our lines, and though he made a […]
The skies over Essex last Sunday reverberated to the sound of WW1 Aviation Heritage Trust’s Albatros taking to the skies in mock combat with the Trusts Nieuport 17. The Albatros was flown by JeanMichel Munn and the Nieuport by its owner John Gilbert
This is a Sopwith Snipe control grip and pretty much in line with British grips throughout the 2 wars with two slight differences. Contrary to later Spitfire and Hurricane grips the guns could be fired individually and the firing button with an integrated safety catch came later and most probably for very good reason. The […]
“For most Conspicuous bravery. He attacked an enemy airship under circumstances of great difficult and danger, and sent it crashing to the ground as a flaming wreck. He had been in the air for more than two hours and had previously attacked another airship during his flight.”London Gazette, 5th September 1916 This VC needs little further explanation […]
This was placed behind the engine and inconveniently in front of the pilot directly under the ammunition boxes. This lead to several cases of self-destruction in the hot summer of 18 as the phosphorus ammunition used as tracers/anti balloon ammunition self-ignited burning through the boxes and the tank with a subsequent unwelcome pyrotechnic display. Only […]
The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to Squadron Commander Richard Bell Davies, D.S.O., R.N., and of the Distinguished Service Cross to Flight Sub-Lieutenant Gilbert Formby Smylie, R.N., in recognition of their behaviour in the following circumstances. On the 19th November, these two officers carried out an […]
This is the standard German ignition switch/key assembly. This item was a standard feature in all German aircraft during WWI. It came in two versions – for one magnet (rotary) or two (all inline engines). The pilot was able to select off, 1st magnet, 2nd magnet (for testing during pre-flight) or both (standard setting during […]
For most conspicuous bravery, skill and determination, on 7th November 1915, in France. He was patrolling in a Vickers Fighting Machine, with First Class Air Mechanic T. H. Donald as gunner, when a German machine was sighted, pursued, and attacked near Achiet. The German pilot led the Vickers machine over a rocket battery, but with […]
The landing gear in the (re)making. The original build one had to be discarded as the main box material and rivetting were to weak and badly executed. It was also decided to change from the Fokker version to OAV build as the servicing is facilitated.
The Fokker Dvii project was started over 10 years ago as an amateur home build. Unfortunately, the build quality was in not really sufficent for the aircraft to be awarded a Permit to Fly. Therefore about 3 years ago a company with an excellent reputation called Craftlab in Austria was mandated to rectify matters. It […]
