Great War Flying Museum
Encyclopedia
The Great War Flying Museum is an aviation museum
located at the Brampton Airport
(CNC3) in Brampton, Ontario
Canada
. The museum builds and maintains flying replicas of World War I
aircraft. Paying members and volunteers help build and maintain the authentic replicas.
All aircraft are kept in airworthy condition
by donations, air show and members' fees. The museum is a non-profit organization
.
longevity. As far as possible, attention has been paid to historical detail, but in some instances necessity has dictated various changes.
Due to various long distance trips undertaken by the aircraft to participate in airshow
s and events, the engines are more modern than those in the original aircraft types. The original wooden tailskids have been replaced with tailwheels in order to operate from paved runway
s, and the main wheels
have been equipped with modern disc brakes. In addition, modern radio equipment and flight instruments have been installed in each aircraft.
Aviation museum
An aviation museum, air museum or aerospace museum is a museum exhibiting the history and artifacts of aviation. In addition to actual or replica aircraft, exhibits can include photographs, maps, models, dioramas, clothing and equipment used by aviators.Aviation museums vary in size from housing...
located at the Brampton Airport
Brampton Airport
Brampton Airport, , is a privately owned general aviation airport in Caledon, near Brampton, Ontario, Canada, northwest of Toronto.The club and airport was established in 1946 and occupies of land. The airport consists of two paved runways, a flight school building, terminal building, aircraft...
(CNC3) in Brampton, Ontario
Brampton, Ontario
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The museum builds and maintains flying replicas of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
aircraft. Paying members and volunteers help build and maintain the authentic replicas.
All aircraft are kept in airworthy condition
Airworthiness
Airworthiness is a term used to describe whether an aircraft has been certified as suitable for safe flight. Certification is initially conferred by a Certificate of Airworthiness from a National Airworthiness Authority, and is maintained by performing required maintenance actions by a licensed...
by donations, air show and members' fees. The museum is a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
.
Replica aircraft in flying condition
- Fokker Dr.IFokker Dr.IThe Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
(overall red, Manfred von RichthofenManfred von RichthofenManfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
) - C-GFJK - Fokker Dr.IFokker Dr.IThe Fokker Dr.I Dreidecker was a World War I fighter aircraft built by Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. The Dr.I saw widespread service in the spring of 1918...
(green and blue, Leutnant Paul BäumerPaul BäumerPaul Wilhelm Bäumer was a German fighter ace in World War I.-Involvement in World War 1:Bäumer learned to fly before the war but joined the infantry and was wounded in the leg in 1915. He transferred to the air service as a dental assistant before being accepted for military pilot training...
) - C-GDRI - Fokker D.VIIFokker D.VIIThe Fokker D.VII was a German World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz of the Fokker-Flugzeugwerke. Germany produced around 3,300 D.VII aircraft in the summer and autumn of 1918. In service, the D.VII quickly proved itself to be a formidable aircraft...
(blue, red and white, Hauptmann Rudolf Berthold) - C-GWWI - Nieuport 28Nieuport 28|-See also:-Bibliography:* Cheesman E.F. Fighter Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Letchworth, UK: Harleyford Publications, 1960, pp. 98–99....
(American Air Service markings, Eddie RickenbackerEddie RickenbackerEdward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.-Early...
) - C-FEWL - Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a (80% scale) (Royal Flying CorpsRoyal Flying CorpsThe Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
markings, James McCuddenJames McCuddenJames Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
) - CF-QGM - Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a (Royal Flying Corp markings, Canadian ace Billy BishopBilly BishopAir Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
) - C-GRJC - Sopwith 1½ StrutterSopwith 1½ StrutterThe Sopwith 1½ Strutter was a British one or two-seat biplane multi-role aircraft of the First World War. It is significant as the first British-designed two seater tractor fighter, and the first British aircraft to enter service with a synchronised machine gun...
(Royal Naval Air Service, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Redpath) - C-FSOP
Aircraft details
The aircraft flown by the Great War Flying Museum were constructed in such a way as to balance historical accuracy with ease of maintenance and airframeAirframe
The airframe of an aircraft is its mechanical structure. It is typically considered to include fuselage, wings and undercarriage and exclude the propulsion system...
longevity. As far as possible, attention has been paid to historical detail, but in some instances necessity has dictated various changes.
Due to various long distance trips undertaken by the aircraft to participate in airshow
Airshow
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
s and events, the engines are more modern than those in the original aircraft types. The original wooden tailskids have been replaced with tailwheels in order to operate from paved runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s, and the main wheels
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
have been equipped with modern disc brakes. In addition, modern radio equipment and flight instruments have been installed in each aircraft.
Fokker Dr.I
- Registration: C-GFJK
- Paint Scheme: Overall red, Manfred von Richtofen
- Year Completed: 1982
- First Flight: 30 May 1982
- Plan set used: Combination Sands/Redfern
- Engine Type: Warner Super Scarab 165 hp
- Major rebuilds in: 2005, 1993
- For most of its life this aircraft was painted to represent an all red triplane as flown by Manfred von RichthofenManfred von RichthofenManfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
, also known as the Red Baron, although it incorrectly bore the serial Fok. Dr I 103/17. In the winter of 2005, the aircraft was given all new fabric and repainted in more authentic colours to represent Fok. Dr I 477/17. Some controversy surrounds the question of particular serial numbers on the Baron's all red triplanes. That being said, the museum decided to attempt to replicate the aircraft shown in the famous photographs at Lechelle with the propeller wrapped in a tarpaulin.
Fokker Dr.I
- Registration: C-GDRI
- Paint Scheme: Green and blue, Leutnant Paul Bäumer
- Year Completed: 1996
- First Flight: 14 July 1996
- Plan set used: Redfern
- Engine Type: Jacobs L4Mb
- This aircraft represented a long time project for its builder, who died not long after its completion. It was purchased by the GWFM as a flying aircraft although it has required on-going work in order to bring it up to museum standards. It is painted in the colours of Vzfw Paul Baumer, Fok. Dr I 204.17 as worn with Jasta Boelcke. When acquired, this aircraft was painted light blue overall with the exception of its markings and looked rather strange. The application of the green streaking to the upper surfaces went a long way to making it look more correct, although the oversized nose is a clear sign of its large, non-standard engine.
Fokker D.VII
- Registration: C-GWWI
- Paint Scheme: Blue, red and white, Hauptmann Rudolf Berthold
- Year Completed: 1977
- First Flight: 5 November 1977
- Plan set used: Rousseau Aviation
- Engine Type: Fairchild Ranger 6-440-C5 (inverted)
- Major rebuilds in: 2003, 1991
- The Fokker DVII was the first aircraft built completely in-house at the Great War Flying Museum. It was constructed using the same plan set as the replicas built for the film The Blue MaxThe Blue MaxThe Blue Max is an 1966 British war film about a German fighter pilot on the Western Front during World War I. It was directed by John Guillermin, stars George Peppard, James Mason and Ursula Andress, and features Karl Michael Vogler and Jeremy Kemp. The screenplay was written by David Pursall,...
, but powered by an inverted Ranger engine rather than the Gypsy Queen. It was originally painted in the all white colours of Fok. D.VII 5125/18 as flown by Oblt Hermann Göering while in Jagdgeschwader I. In 1991, the aircraft was repainted complete with lozenge pattern to represent Hptm Rudolf Berthold's aircraft from Jadgdeschwader II bearing his winged sword insignia. This was briefly over-painted in the fall of 2003 while on the set of the film The Aviator (2004) so as to represent an all red D.VII from the film Hell's AngelsHell's Angels (film)Hell's Angels is a 1930 American war film, directed by Howard Hughes and starring Jean Harlow, Ben Lyon, and James Hall. The film, which was produced by Hughes and written by Harry Behn and Howard Estabrook, centers on the combat pilots of World War I...
(1930). Once the temporary paint was removed, the aircraft was returned to its red and blue Berthold colours. Unfortunately, in the summer of 2007, the D.VII was involved in a serious accident. While the pilot was uninjured, the aircraft sustained serious structural damage. Reconstruction is now well under way, and it has been decided that a new paint scheme will adorn this aircraft.
Nieuport 28
- Registration: C-FEWL
- Paint Scheme: American Air Service markings, Eddie Rickenbacker
- Year Completed: 1995
- First Flight: 14 September 1995
- Plan set used: unknown
- Engine Type: Continental R670
- Major rebuilds in: 1996
- This N28 replica is constructed of a welded steel fuselage with wood wings, and powered by a Continental R670 radial. Acquired as an unfinished project the museum completed the aircraft and painted it in the colours of the 94th Aero Squadron. These "Hat in the Ring" colours represent the serial 6139 as flown by Eddie Rickenbacker.
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a (80% scale)
- Registration: CF-QGM
- Paint Scheme: Royal Flying Corps markings, James McCudden
- Year Completed: 1970
- First Flight: 30 June 1970
- Plan set used: Prototype Scale SE5a based on Currie-Watt homebuilt.
- Engine Type: Continental C85-12
- Engine replaced with: Lycoming O-235-C
- Engine replaced in: July 1999
- Major rebuilds in: 1987, 1998
- This replica SE5a is of interest because it is one of two prototypes for this scale plan set. It is the 'sister' airplane of C-FQGL, which is still flying with the Canadian Museum of FlightCanadian Museum of Flightthumb|right|De Havilland DH100 Vampire Mk.3 at Canadian Museum of FlightThe Canadian Museum of Flight is an aviation museum at the Langley Regional Airport in Langley, British Columbia, Canada...
in Langley, British Columbia. For much of its life with the GWFM, this aircraft wore the colourful (if short lived) paint scheme of A 8936 with No. 60 Sqn. RFC, wearing a blue nose and wheel covers. William Avery Bishop, VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, wore this scheme briefly before an official scheme was handed down for the SE5, forcing it to be painted in more conventional British colours. Following its more recent rebuild, QGM was repainted to represent B4863, as flown by James McCuddenJames McCuddenJames Thomas Byford McCudden VC, DSO & Bar, MC & Bar, MM was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
, VC, while serving with No. 56 Sqn. RFC.
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a
- Registration: C-GRJC
- Paint Scheme: Royal Flying Corps markings, Canadian Ace Billy Bishop
- Year Completed: 1991
- First Flight: 1 August 1991
- Plan set used: Original RAF plans for wings and external dimensions of fuselage, adapted Starduster Too steel structure for fuselage.
- Engine Type: Ford V6 with Blanton PSRU. Engine replaced with Ranger 6-440-C5
- Engine replaced in: Winter 1996
- Major rebuilds in: 1996, 2006
- The full scale SE5 is the second aircraft built completely in house at the GWFM. Externally it was built to correspond to original Royal Aircraft Factory drawings, yet the fuselage is actually of welded steel construction. Originally powered by a Ford truck engine running a propeller speed reduction unit, this was abandoned in favour of a Ranger aircraft engine. Only one paint scheme has been worn on this aircraft, namely C1904 as flown by William Avery Bishop, VC. It wore these colours and can be distinguished clearly in The Aviator by the large 'Z' on the fuselage.
Sopwith 1½ Strutter
- Registration: C-FSOP
- Paint Scheme: Royal Naval Air Service, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Redpath
- Year Completed: 2004
- First Flight: Spring 2005
- Plan set used: Replicraft Plans - Modified Steel Fuselage
- Engine Type: Continental W670 9A
- This aircraft is somewhat of a rarity amongst World War I replicas in that it represents a two-seat fighter/observation aircraft. It is interesting that the main role of aircraft in the Great War was for observation, and yet the vast majority of replicas built today represent single seat fighters. The Strutter is constructed with a steel fuselage, but externally conforms to original dimensions. The standard position for the rear seat is facing rearward so as to allow the gunner to operate the Scarff ring mounted Lewis gunLewis GunThe Lewis Gun is a World War I–era light machine gun of American design that was perfected and widely used by the British Empire. It was first used in combat in World War I, and continued in service with a number of armed forces through to the end of the Korean War...
, but can also be turned around to allow for a more conventional forward-facing seating position. Already popular for film work due to its second seat this aircraft significantly increases the ability of the museum to replicate scenes from World War I. It is currently painted to represent the colours of Strutter 9739 as flown by Flight Sub-Lt. R.F. Redpath of the Royal Naval Air ServiceRoyal Naval Air ServiceThe Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
.
Aircraft movie/television appearances
- The museum's Sopwith 1½ Strutter has appeared in the Galafilms miniseries The Great War broadcast in April 2006 on the CBC.
- The museum's Sopwith 1½ Strutter appeared in the CBC production The Greatest Canadian when it carried Paul Gross in the episode arguing for Lester B. Pearson.
- The museum's SE5a and Fokker D.VII appeared in the 2004 Academy Award winning film The Aviator, directed by Martin ScorseseMartin ScorseseMartin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
and starring Leonardo DiCaprioLeonardo DiCaprioLeonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is an American actor and film producer. He has received many awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator , and has been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television...
. - Various museum aircraft made appearances in the 2003 documentary A Hero to Me about the life of Canadian Victoria Cross recipient Billy Bishop.
- The museum's full size and scale SE5a aircraft appeared in the 2006 CBC production, Hockey, A People's History.
- The museums red Fokker Dr.I was seen in the 2003 documentary Who shot the Red Baron?
See also
- Organization of Military Museums of CanadaOrganization of Military Museums of CanadaThe Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
- Military history of CanadaMilitary history of CanadaThe military history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and the role of the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. For thousands of years, the area that would become Canada was the site of sporadic intertribal wars...