It flies!
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It flies!
Following up on the "Silly names" thread where I explained my forum name, today I have finally been able to say:
It flies!
Make sure to select 720p HD to see it in the best possible quality and turn up the volume to hear the sound of a 93 year old engine.
It flies!
Make sure to select 720p HD to see it in the best possible quality and turn up the volume to hear the sound of a 93 year old engine.
Congrats! The amounts of work, money, and determination that went into such a project must be gigantic.
I too noticed the operation from a hard runway - and suppose that is the reason why a tailwheel was added? Surely the original made do with a skid?
I too noticed the operation from a hard runway - and suppose that is the reason why a tailwheel was added? Surely the original made do with a skid?
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Thanks, Silvaire, Jan and vanHorck. The maiden flight was performed by a very experienced professional pilot. I was behind the camera as my 59 hours TT do not suffice for experimental test flying.
This is very true. It took a couple of people about ten years to build this one. Also rebuilding a WW1 engine and getting it to run reliably has proved quite a challenge.
The flight went perfectly and we're very pleased with the result. There are no adjustments to make whatsoever.
The amounts of work, money, and determination that went into such a project must be gigantic.
The flight went perfectly and we're very pleased with the result. There are no adjustments to make whatsoever.
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Splendid!
I'd have thought they'd have made you a grass runway, at least, giving due respect to all that work and heritage...
We look forward to seeing her around.
Thank you.
I'd have thought they'd have made you a grass runway, at least, giving due respect to all that work and heritage...
We look forward to seeing her around.
Thank you.
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Thanks to all for your comments. There was a couple of knots wind more or less straight down the runway. The first comments from the pilot were that it flies very nicely. A bit like an oversized Fleet 7.
I should stress that this was not at all a solo effort. I am a volunteer with the Early Birds Foundation in the Netherlands. A foundation dedicated to preserving old aeroplanes and aero engines in flying condition. Take a look here for some more info on our foundation:
http://earlybirdsmuseum.nl/en/planes
I should stress that this was not at all a solo effort. I am a volunteer with the Early Birds Foundation in the Netherlands. A foundation dedicated to preserving old aeroplanes and aero engines in flying condition. Take a look here for some more info on our foundation:
http://earlybirdsmuseum.nl/en/planes
Last edited by It flies; 4th Sep 2011 at 12:41.
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Love the engine sound!
Hope you don't mind, I posted your video on the EAA forums with a link to here. I'm sure folks would love to read the full story from you....
Great first flight!
Hope you don't mind, I posted your video on the EAA forums with a link to here. I'm sure folks would love to read the full story from you....
Great first flight!
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Hope you don't mind, I posted your video on the EAA forums with a link to here.
I hope to add some air to air video in a couple of weeks if we can find the time to finish the test program.
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Today we flew the Fokker D.VII again. This time we managed to shoot some air to air video to give an impression of what it looks like in the air.
The camera ship was our trusty 1928 Fleet 7 biplane.
The camera ship was our trusty 1928 Fleet 7 biplane.
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What a beautiful aircraft, I agree that the sound of the engine is fantastic. It's strange how such a sound can have such a profound feeling.
Fantastic landing as well, I wish I could land like that!
Fantastic landing as well, I wish I could land like that!
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What a fantastic project to have completed, she looks beautiful. The clarity of the air to air video close ups when paused is fantastic, what camera were you using?
Congratulations
Moli
Congratulations
Moli
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Thanks, L'aviateur & Moli. It has been a very rewarding project to be involved with.
The engine is quite special. I think there are four running Mercedes D-III's in the world right now. It's a 14,7 liter watercooled straight six that makes 200hp at 1400 rpm. Our D.VII has the most advanced version with an altitude compensating carburettor. It has even got mounting points for a generator that was used to power an electricly heated pilot suit for high altitude operations (that's in 1918!). Starting it is quite interesting as it doesn't have a starter motor and it's to heavy to hand swing. Instead it has a special starting magneto. This video shows the full starting sequence including using the on board hand pump to pressurize the fuel system.
The camera used is the Panasonic GF1 with the 14-45 zoom lens on it's 720p setting.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review
This was a quick improvised shoot that shows quite a lot of camera shake from buffeting. I'll try to make a better video from a more suitable platform next time.
The engine is quite special. I think there are four running Mercedes D-III's in the world right now. It's a 14,7 liter watercooled straight six that makes 200hp at 1400 rpm. Our D.VII has the most advanced version with an altitude compensating carburettor. It has even got mounting points for a generator that was used to power an electricly heated pilot suit for high altitude operations (that's in 1918!). Starting it is quite interesting as it doesn't have a starter motor and it's to heavy to hand swing. Instead it has a special starting magneto. This video shows the full starting sequence including using the on board hand pump to pressurize the fuel system.
The camera used is the Panasonic GF1 with the 14-45 zoom lens on it's 720p setting.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review
This was a quick improvised shoot that shows quite a lot of camera shake from buffeting. I'll try to make a better video from a more suitable platform next time.
Last edited by It flies; 7th Nov 2011 at 16:10. Reason: Added comment on starting sequence
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Yes, the Kinner is just about the most 'vintage' sounding engine that I know of.
The Fleet has the earlier 125 hp B-5 version. If anyone has of a spare engine of this early type (not the later version as fitted to PT-22's) we would like to hear from them.
The Fleet has the earlier 125 hp B-5 version. If anyone has of a spare engine of this early type (not the later version as fitted to PT-22's) we would like to hear from them.
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Most interesting! Impressive how the engineers managed to squeeze that much power at only 1400 rpm. Or did it have a reduction drive? I don't think so, seeing the low position of the prop. The more curious that only a two-bladed prop is used, I should think more blades would be more efficient at such low speeds.
That giant engine must be incredibly heavy, though, especially with the liquid cooling. Any estimate of the weights (max gross, engine alone, empty, ...) ?
Curious too that they choose to use electricity for heating the pilot's suit, when there was ample heat available from the engine cooling liquid. Perhaps they were afraid of leakage from enemy fire, or of broiling the pilot like a lobster if anything went wrong? Yet at the time, electricity must have been a rare medium, and difficult to handle reliably.
That giant engine must be incredibly heavy, though, especially with the liquid cooling. Any estimate of the weights (max gross, engine alone, empty, ...) ?
Curious too that they choose to use electricity for heating the pilot's suit, when there was ample heat available from the engine cooling liquid. Perhaps they were afraid of leakage from enemy fire, or of broiling the pilot like a lobster if anything went wrong? Yet at the time, electricity must have been a rare medium, and difficult to handle reliably.