My vote for the best looking aircraft of WW I is the Bristol F.2B.
You're right on , Jim. The Brisfit was a beautiful and very effective aircraft as was the little Scout. Again, two examples of the right fit of physics to do the right job and both were very good looking birds.
My favorites from the late 20's and early 30's would be the Curtiss Hawk P-6E ,Boeing P-26, Boeing F4B4(USA). Hawker Fury (British). A Fury replica is being built somewhere in the UK.
Yes - the Issacs Fury is a very cool scaled replica kit that is supposed to be a hoot to fly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaacs_Fury Image Unavailable, Please Login
The Fury to which I referred is an actual full size replica being built from Hawker drawings and will be powered by the older Rolls Eagle(?). It is a true replica that replicates the actual Fury. It's on You Tube someplace.
You could consider a Merak, Russ. On second thought, it may be too practical! BTW the DCNFs are humming a happy tune now-a-days. Ciao, George
In my ongoing efforts to support the Pound Sterling, I have located a Rotherham pump to attach to the starboard rear cabane strut. While mine will be mostly for show, the original was a wind driven air pump for pressurizing the fuel tank. The real ambience of these replicas is in the details for me. We'll wrap a section of the strut in varnished Irish linen, then mount the pump on original spec brackets. Expect it in a couple of weeks via Royal Mail. Attached is a photo of one on another Camel. Contest: a free beer to the first person to identify which Camel this is on and where. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I could never hazard a quess as to the airplane or location but you are a really good "antiquer" to add those important touches to add period ambulance to your airplane. The air pump reminded me of the same requirement that th 707 had. Under the wing tips there is an NACA scoop that feeds air to the tanks to maintain a 1 PSI pressure head. Things never change, I guess.
Somebody please stop me. I am thinking about buying a Gnome 100 hp Monosoupape rotary engine for the Camel. Really. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Since the original Camel's Clerget was rated at 130hp, wouldn't this make the airplane too underpowered? Though on the other hand, it might reduce the vicious torque effects that got a lot of Camel pilots in trouble.
The Gnome 100 was actually original equipment on some Camels, and I am told is more than enough power. And yes, folks tell me that it is much easier to manage than its bigger brothers.
Found it, I think. At least it was in the correct state. I one I saw was in about 1972 in Chuluota (if I recall, the airfield was called Flying Seminole Ranch.) This photo was at Sun 'N Fun in 2004, but it looks like the Pietenpol that I remember. If I'm correct, it should have had a bulb horn on the right side next to the cockpit. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Jim, that airplane is an abortion. It isn't a Pietenpol with the goofy landing gear and a Cont. 65. The original classic Pietenpol with the Ford Model A or B is a nice flying little airplane because of the heavy engine up front and the rest of the airplane designed to operate behind it. The only correction that I think could be made is some more area in the horizontal stabilizer and some positive incidence in it to operate neutrally in down wash of the wing. Like Pete Bowers once said, " If you want a Piper Cub type of airplane, go out and buy one!" Since I'm a purist, I have to agree.
