Dr.I flys at Kingsbury Aerodrome in Texas

wolfenbill · 1 June 2008, 08:15 AM

Finally we've gotten this bird aloft. The rotary engine (LeRhone) runs well and most, if not all, of the kinks have been ironed out. Now all we have to do is get the D.VII up and the Brisfit (so two can ride and the Fokkers can have a target......one with a sting).

Here's a YouTube video showing a recent flight at our early summer Air Fair. It wasn't the first flight, but the first public one. It's about 5 minutes long and made by Ron Marcotte, one of the many volunteers who have contributed their time, skill and effort to this project.

YouTube - Flight of the Fokker Dr.1 Triplane--Kingsbury

hoodoo · 1 June 2008, 11:32 AM

A volunteer with a nice camera took this photo essay of the fun at Kingsbury. WWI trucks, couldn't get the now armed QUad (finally found a picture of a Benet Mercie armed Quad) to start (later determined that water pump servicing had throw it out of time, easily fixed and it will be sort of challenging strafers next air fair (with it Hotchkiss/Benet Mercie). WWI living history display, Dr 1, Canuck/Jenny (in post WWI markings) flying pics, and a lot of other visiting vintage a/c. The Canuck and the Dr 1 was the icing on the cake, but the Bleriot, Model T signal corps truck, ambulance, and Indian (sans tanks-new ones are being built), also took a lot of attention. Our little Model T wrecker also added significantly to the ambiance. A good ambiance that will be growing stronger. The triplane and Canuck pics are very, very good. Got to get Von Roger in a leather jacket and scarf now....of course with the heat, it was a scorcher--maybe the event will be earlier next year in May, but can't do April, rains torrentially that month, the leather jacket would not be viable. Maybe just a gray cotton shirt with high collar. Fall will be a bit cooler. The old hangar is getting "dressed up" with some old aircraft manufacturer painted logos, as well as the name of the aerodrome to be painted above the doors. Kingsbury is basically an "era" facility--aviation 1900-1940 as well as WWI period.

2008.05.24 Spring Fly-In - a set on Flickr

The Tommy(s) will be back in the air before the PFM DVII flies and the Brisfit is completed but we hope to get our DVII in a more displayable condition while awaiting the engine upgrade from Ranger to Gipsy Queen.

Oh, yeah, you can see in the pics the magnificent Spad XIII was visible, put all together. It is now undergoing covering and is back in major sub-assemblys again being readied for the covering...the craftsmanship is so beautiful it is a shame it is going to be covered up.

ProfLooney · 1 June 2008, 09:40 PM

great video thanks fer sharing. I hope to one day get my 3rd scale bristol done too so I can shoot down all them DRI's ))))

Makhpiyaluta · 2 June 2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfenbill

Finally we've gotten this bird aloft. The rotary engine (LeRhone) runs well and most, if not all, of the kinks have been ironed out. Now all we have to do is get the D.VII up and the Brisfit (so two can ride and the Fokkers can have a target......one with a sting).

Here's a YouTube video showing a recent flight at our early summer Air Fair. It wasn't the first flight, but the first public one. It's about 5 minutes long and made by Ron Marcotte, one of the many volunteers who have contributed their time, skill and effort to this project.

Wonderful to see this LeRhone powerd Tripe in the air GREAT JOB

Willem

JBasham · 6 June 2008, 05:55 PM

I'm a new member here and plan to build a Nieuport in the future. I've been reviewing post the last couple of weeks in trying to find out information regarding technnical support and who to go to for supplies and where one can outsource the hard to make parts.

I just found the post regarding the DR.I an Kingsbury! Wow! Is Kingsbury the best kept secret in Texas? I've lived in the Houston/Katy area for 10 years now and have never heard of them before. There only a two hour drive away.

College behind me, established in a career, and past the newly wed phase, I'm ready to return to my dream of building a Nieuport.

I'd really like to talk to members of the VAHF and learn about volunteering, building, living history, and etc...

I've e-mailed but no response and I've called there listed number but it won't ring through - operator recording, etc...

Wolfenbill and/or hoodoo - I'd like to hear for y'all - thanks in advance!

Jeff

hoodoo · 6 June 2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBasham

I'm a new member here and plan to build a Nieuport in the future. I've been reviewing post the last couple of weeks in trying to find out information regarding technnical support and who to go to for supplies and where one can outsource the hard to make parts.

I just found the post regarding the DR.I an Kingsbury! Wow! Is Kingsbury the best kept secret in Texas? I've lived in the Houston/Katy area for 10 years now and have never heard of them before. There only a two hour drive away.

College behind me, established in a career, and past the newly wed phase, I'm ready to return to my dream of building a Nieuport.

I'd really like to talk to members of the VAHF and learn about volunteering, building, living history, and etc...

I've e-mailed but no response and I've called there listed number but it won't ring through - operator recording, etc...

Wolfenbill and/or hoodoo - I'd like to hear for y'all - thanks in advance!

Jeff

Jeff, put 190 Pershing, Kingsbury texas on your google and come on down the
tommorrow, saturday. We have a volunteer day tommorrow, great way to meet the people and see all the stuff. Roger will be flying the Canuck tommorrow morning (a group is doing a Brooks field documentary and is using the canuck to represent Lindberghs Jenny). We will be working on all kind of stuff.
My email is alsumrall2001@yahoo.com

I don't have any connection with the Houston guys who are coming tommorrow (I come in from Austin) but I am sure you might be able to hook up with them in the future for carpooling. We are about to start working on the Tommies to prepare them for covering.

If you can email me tonight I might be able to contact some of the Houston guys to see if you could ride in with any of them, however bring some friends if you drive yourself. I guarantee it will be worth the effort to come over tommorrow.

Kingsbury is the best kept secret in Texas as it has no publicity at all.
Hoodoo

wolfenbill · 9 June 2008, 07:38 AM

Jeff, I sent you an email this morning answering most of your questions. HooDoo has done well to add some additional info. We've been doing work in Kingsbury for 5 or more years now and Zuehl (where Roger Freeman and aircraft were based before - a little closer to San Antonio than Kingsbury) before that. It's slowly becoming known. We've had a bunch of new volunteers jump in over the last year or so. It's nice to see a lot of work take place even when I'm not there. In the old days it was just Tom Gaylord and I with sandpaper and buckets of varnish keeping the mud daubers company while that quiet, warm Texas breeze blows.