Handley-Page 0/400? (nope

Bruno Stachel · 16 June 2005, 04:58 PM

I just saw an ABC News report about what appears to be a replica of a WWI bomber. I don't think the report named the aircraft. But I believe it was a Handley-Paige 0/400. Can anyone verify that? Apparently Steve Fossett is at it again. He will pilot the plane from New Foundland to Ireland, re-creating the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic in 1919, by Sir John William Alcock and Sir Arthur Whitten Brown.

EricGoedkoop · 16 June 2005, 06:47 PM

It's a Vickers Vimy, actually - check it out here.

Bruno Stachel · 16 June 2005, 07:47 PM

Thanks Eric. I didn't see this coming. If I read it correctly, the attempt will be this weekend.

Roadhog · 17 June 2005, 07:19 AM

Dear Bruno, The replica bomber is currently at the airport in Salina, Kansas, the Salina Journal did an article about Fossett and the plane a month or so ago. Looks like he will try to suplicate a historic flight in the plane. Hope this helps. Roadhog

TomVrille · 17 June 2005, 09:19 PM

The following anecdote about the original Alcock and Brown Vimy is quoted from Farewell to Wings by

Cecil Lewis (1964):

"It was 1919 and the vogue for long-distance flights was just starting. I had already been in the Vickers civil aviation department for a year. Whether Vickers suggested an Atlantic flight to Alcock and Brown or whether they proposed it to Vickers I cannot remember; but suddenly (it seems now) they were in the office, on the corner of Sloane Street and Knightsbridge, and a lot of work was being done on petrol consumption and long-range tanks for the Vimy. I had nothing to do with the preparations for the flight except to fetch the aeroplane from an aircraft park (where new aircraft were stored) somewhere on Salisbury Plain and bring it back to Brooklands. There it was stripped out and the long-range tanks fitted.

All the details of that remarkable flight are too well known to be repeated here. The Vimy was given to the nation and stands in the Science Museum, South Kensington. When I see it there I like to recall I was the first to fly it, even if only for 40 minutes."

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Perhaps some forumites in the UK could comment on the current status of the original Atlantic Vimy ?!

Maxim08 · 18 June 2005, 10:10 AM

Roadhog et al,
The Vickers Vimy departed Toronto, Ontario early in June heading for St. John's Newfoundland and the transatlantic attempt. The aircraft was at Downsview Airport courtesy of dehavilland Canada (Bombardier) while the engines underwent a preflight inspection and fettling by Orenda engines.
On the day of departure from Toronto, the Vimy formated with the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter, SE5A, Nieuport 28 and Fokker D7 of the Great War Flying Musueum.
CAVU day and a great sight over downtown Toronto.
Regards,
Maxim08

ulpilot · 18 June 2005, 10:17 AM

"On the day of departure from Toronto, the Vimy formated with the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter, SE5A, Nieuport 28 and Fokker D7 of the Great War Flying Musueum.
CAVU day and a great sight over downtown Toronto."

Pictures PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

EricGoedkoop · 18 June 2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulpilot

Pictures PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

From the site linked above:

Looks like that Fokker's in trouble!

Roadhog · 26 June 2005, 01:12 PM

Lordy those are beautiful photographs. I would have loved to have seen this with my own two eyes. Thank you for sharing them with us. VR, Roadhog

"Memento mori."

StrutterGunner · 26 June 2005, 07:49 PM

I was lucky enough to be the passenger in the 1 1/2 Strutter during the whole formation and photo shoot (In full RNAS uniform of course) I can tell you it was an incredible experience, one I shall never forget and obviously will never have the chance to do again. I almost pinched myself every time I looked over my shoulder to see a Vickers Vimy, of all planes, flying just off my wing, to make sure I wasnt dreaming.