Volume 26 #2, Issue 120

MOSQUITO SURVIVORS Pt.2

Australia, New Zealand & South Africa. Continuing our in-depth look at surviving Wooden Wonders worldwide, here we concentrate on the numerous Downunder examples, some of which have significant combat history. Complimented by interesting images, some having never been previously published, this article brings current restoration progress on several of these Mosquitos up to date.

Our Last Mystery Aeroplane was...

This unusual WWI fighter featured the so called Klinkerrumpf style of fuselage, this having its roots in an ancient boat-building technique, employed by the Vikings. This article contains an overview of the type’s development and limited combat. Featured is the sole surviving example which is one of the few aircraft which escaped the ill fated German Aviation Museum, Berlin and ended up in store with the Polish Aviation Museum in Krakow. A three phase restoration began in 1992 and the aircraft is now on display in the museum, albeit with wings not yet fitted.

THE LAST DORNIER?

The successful recovery of the last known surviving Dornier Do 17 from the Goodwin Sands in June 2013 attracted extensive national and international interest and was widely regarded as an engineering and conservation triumph in the face of many obstacles: political; financial; technical; and, not least, the weather. At one stage, the recovery team faced the genuine prospect of having spent over half a million pounds for a few small components raised by the diving team, after more than two weeks of effort. Written by those who were directly involved, this article takes a firsthand look at the complicated process from planning through to recovery and research into how best to preserve this significant Battle of Britain artefact.

CHILTON COMEBACK!

A recent celebration of the humble Walter Mikron vintage in-line aero engine in England became without question, a celebration of the Chilton D.W.1 monoplane. This distinctive pre-WWII single seat sport plane has, more than any other British aircraft of its era, been enjoying a comeback of small, and yet unparalleled proportions as the original production numbers have more than doubled with modern reproductions progressively appearing around the world. The Editor takes a close look at this petit machine, four of which were build in the 1930s (all of which survive) and the ‘explosion’ of newly constructed examples which are appearing not only in the UK but much further afield. Examples are either flying or are on the way to doing so in NZ, Australia and Canada.

Airshows: La Ferte, Melun & Oshkosh