In aviation circles, there are a number of airfields and collections around the world that capture the imagination and become almost mythical as part of aviation folklore. Old Rhinebeck is most certainly amongst those legends, especially for those with an interest in those early years of aviation right through until the 1930s. Delicately nestled between … Continue reading Warbird People – Alex Jameison: Learning to Fly the Old Rhinebeck Collection
The Aviation Preservation Society of Scotland is an East Lothian based group that has been in place since 1973 with an aim of providing members with education and experience in aviation. Today this society has around 80 members, of which 25 are working members. Though a number of projects are in progress, the undoubted "headliner" … Continue reading Warbird People: Scottish “Strutter” – WW1 Replica Nears Completion
Following on from my visit to the "Meet the Blenheim" open day back in December, I had the pleasure of being given an update on the project by the Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust's chairman, Dave Brocklehurst, last week. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/28022760868/in/dateposted-public/ The museum, based on the site of former RAF Hawkinge, is an unparalleled treasure … Continue reading Warbird People – Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust Update
This month’s “Warbird People” sees me speak with Ed Vesely, the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) Helldiver pilot, a self-described “caretaker of history” who takes on the responsibility of flying this unique airframe and keeping history alive telling the important stories of the veterans that flew the SB2C. Curtiss aircraft throughout the company’s history maintained that … Continue reading Warbird People – Ed Vesely on Flying the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
Earlier this year it dawned on me that Warbird Tails would soon be racking up 300 posts - I thought the occasion certainly warranted some sort of celebration. I kicked around a few “300” themed ideas before ultimately concluding that there was one perfect answer; the Spitfire. The original Spitfire prototype was known as the … Continue reading Warbird People – Warren Pietsch: Spitfire at Reno
I cannot remember an airshow season in recent times where we have seen such a step up in the prominence of one particular type. Over a period of years we have seen near constant build up of airworthy Spitfire’s joining the ranks and various other types come and go but it's very rare for numbers … Continue reading Warbird People: Hawker Restorations
Following on from my introduction to Mr. Curtiss himself I wanted to feature a modern day operator of Curtiss types to offer a pilots insight into flying and operating these special machines. I was lucky enough to be able to catch a few words from Kermit Weeks, who operates a number of Curtiss types at … Continue reading The Curtiss Story Part 2: Curtiss According to Kermit – Kermit Weeks on flying Curtiss Aircraft
Glenn Curtiss was born on the 21st May 1878. Curtiss always had a keen interest in engineering and innovation. He opened up the first Curtiss factory, manufacturing motorcycles, in 1901. This obviously draws a comparison to the Bicycle building Wright Brothers,with whom Curtiss would have long drawn out legal battles and ill-feeling in the years … Continue reading The Curtiss Story Part 1 – Glenn Curtiss & the Early Years
As well as interviews with modern day pilots and engineers of these historic aircraft I also wanted to focus in on the people who flew these aircraft while still in service. Sadly of course in a number of cases the opportunity to interview is no longer available, but where possible I have tried to delve into … Continue reading Warbird People: Frederick Dudley Travers DFC WW1 Ace and Flying Boat Pioneer
It is a shame to start February off on a note of regret, but I didn't feel I could let the passing of US Navy ace Alexander Vraciu on the 29th January go unnoticed on this page. Without the brave men who flew these aircraft we love so much into war, we may very well … Continue reading Warbird People: Lt. Alex Vraciu – Hellcat Legend
