Volume 25 #5, Issue 118

SPITFIRE STUNNER!

Auckland , New Zealand based Avspecs Ltd have recently completed what can only be described as a stunning Spitfire restoration which has been many years in the making. Under a new owner a very long term project was expedited and we are sure readers will agree, the wait has been well worth it! This article looks at the history of Mk XVI, TB252, following its journey from late war operations over Europe, instructional airframe, gate guard and finally the very long process to return the fighter to the air which started in the UK and was finished in NZ some three decades later. Several test flights were conducted in NZ prior to the shipping of the aircraft to its new home in the US, and our photographer was able to get alongside to take some spectacular images.

GERMANY'S JOUSTER - THE SIEMENS SHUCKERT

Given its late entry into the war and limited numbers in front line service, the Siemens Shuckert D.IV is one of least well known, but most potent of the German Air Service’s fighters. The fighter was powered by a remarkable ‘contra-rotating’ Siemens-Halske rotary engine which effectively doubled the RPM. The allowed the aircraft to achieve its phenomenal rate of climb and very high service ceiling making it an excellent point interceptor, easily outperforming the Fokker D.VII. Unusually the fighter was still produced post Armistice, until the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919 banned all aircraft production in Germany. Sadly no original machines have survived, however a small number full scale replicas have been built. One of these is the subject of our pilot’s report, the aircraft flying for the first time since the mid 1980s.

Italian Elegance - The MACCHI M.7

With the proximity of the main Italian and Austro-Hungarian Naval Aviation bases and the limited area the Adriatic Sea encompassed, seaplane fighters were a very important part of the air war during WWI. One of the most important of these types was the Macchi series of biplane flying boats; they eventually became the most prolific type built in Italy which would see them serve from the last days of the Great War right through to 1938 in both military and training roles. Along the way modified versions of the aircraft participated in the famous Schneider Cup races and complemented the air forces of Brazil, Argentina and Sweden. In this major feature we look at the history of the type and detail the restoration of the only surviving example by members of the volunteer group which restore aircraft for the Swedish Air Force Museum. The aircraft revealed some surprising secrets once the post war paint was stripped back!

Our Last Mystery Aircraft was a.....SHORT SCION

The S.16 Scion was a 4-6 seat feeder aircraft designed by Short’s chief designer and was initially built by Short Brothers at Rochester. Although two machines were built as float planes, a further 20 were produced as land planes- a break in tradition by the company, given their staple designs were marine aircraft. Passenger and joyride work aside, the type was employed during the war as a liaison aircraft and VIP transport. Here we look at the aircraft’s development and service history prior to focusing on the three surviving aircraft, two of which are under active restoration, one of them to fly.

Airshows: Wairarapa Air Festival NZ; RAAF Centenary, Temora, AUS.