Latest at Old Kingsbury in Texas

wolfenbill · 19 November 2005, 07:16 AM

It's been so long since I've posted that they closed the original Kingsbury thread so I'm starting another. I've attached a few pictures of the Dr.I that is nearing completion. It is LeRhone powered. Vintage Aviation Services, sharing the facility with the Pioneer Flight Museum, is continuing its work on a SPAD XIII, a few pictures of which are attached as well. Take a look at that ammo box, designed and built by old French cabinetmakers. Work also continues on the Brisfit but it's mostly little things, the general appearance looks basically the same as the photos found on the closed Kingsbury thread.

Sgt Pepper · 20 November 2005, 07:44 PM

Here are a few photos from last weekend's fly in. Roger reved up the Bleriot but decided not to fly it because it was too windy. Here is a pix of the Jenny. It flew around the airstrip. It was fun to see a Jenny flying over the scrub brush and clumps of cactus again. Reminded me of the pictures I've seen of General Purshing's jaunt into Mexico when he used Jennys to help in the hunt of Pancho Villa. But of course I didnt snap that picture. Doh!

Dave_Watts · 22 November 2005, 07:04 AM

Howdy!

The planes look great. How was the turnout?

Best,
Dave W.

Ransom E. Olds · 22 November 2005, 10:51 AM

Someone might want to correct the spelling of Levallois-Perret on the Bleriot. Ransom

wolfenbill · 22 November 2005, 02:31 PM

We did but the "l" and the hyphen blew off!

Dave, the turnout at the fly-in was fine. We had about 35 aircraft show up. The weather was cold and windy, with an overcast. I wouldn't want to be caught in a Bleriot in those conditions. We're trying to have the Dr.1 flying by the spring AirFair.

Ransom E. Olds · 22 November 2005, 03:42 PM

Wolfenbill: A Bleriot, with or without hyphen, is a sight for sore eyes. Keep up the good work. Ransom

wolfenbill · 23 November 2005, 01:10 PM

Seriously, thanks for the compliment and for the proofreading. I will forward your correction to Mr. Freeman and make things right.

No wonder the damn thing flies so crazily. The rudder is misspelled.

Butch · 29 November 2005, 06:30 PM

The SPAD 13 project looks great. Who is the builder?
Butch

Butch · 30 November 2005, 10:26 PM

Let me rephrase my question. There is a lot of very nice work in that -13 project. Where are the subassemblies coming from?

Sgt Pepper · 1 December 2005, 09:28 AM

Hi, Sorry for the late reply, but the holidays have taken its toll on my internet time. This plane is a commission project Roger has taken on. The plans were assembled by him years ago from original sources and can be purchaced on the Repli-craft web site. (http://www.replicraft.us.fm/pricelist.html)

Roger is doing all the work himself in his workshop, and so I am not sure what you mean by "sub-assemblies." It's amazing to see the progress of this plane on my weekly visits. One advantage he has is a lazer sheet metal cutter so he can create accurately diminsioned fittings (which he sells to intersted parties). As for the engine, I've seen a hand full of Hissos stached around the shop all in various states of disrepair. I did notice that two are being machined and rebuilt to mint condition - one of these will go in this plane - the other one we are hoping will go in a SE-5 that is partly done.

The machine guns are real. I'm guessing he got them from some shady international arms dealer. The only items I see that have been out sourced are: the radiator (to a firm in Los Angeles) and some brass pumps for oil pressure, etc. Everything else was built in the shop. I did notice a huge gas tank propped against the wall. He said it is an original.

The plane isnt scheduled to be finished for a year, but at the rate he is going I bet it will be much sooner. It's amazing how fast things can get built when you have a decent budget. Out Tri-plane project is entering it's 3 year - made by volunteers and materials we find available when push comes to shove.

cheers,
c