Albatross DVa

[gray eagle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4aZ3lKugHA#t=39

[Bomber_12th]

Thanks for posting the video, Gray Eagle! It was shot at Old Warden and Duxford last year. The aircraft is one of the number of exact-reproductions produced by The Vintage Aviator, Ltd. in New Zealand, all powered with either restored-original or exact-reproduction Mercedes engines (depending on which example of those they've built you'll refer to). This particular example was purchased by The Royal Air Force Museum (along with a TVAL produced exact-reproduction RE.8 and Sopwith Snipe), and brought to England where it is now on permanent static display at the RAF Museum London. The aircraft was flown on a few occasions last summer in England, at Old Warden and at Duxford, by Kermit Weeks, while the RE.8 was also flown at the same time by TVAL-head and long-time skilled WWI-aircraft pilot Gene DeMarco (who used to be one of the prominent pilots at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome back in its good days).

Here's Kermit Weeks' perspective, flying the Albatros around Old Warden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i973gkkRNhs

And another, of Kermit Weeks flying a different TVAL Albatros D.Va ... his own: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2r-OYf93JI

(Kermit's Albatros features an original WWI Mercedes engine (one of two he owns). From what I recall, TVAL built his Albatros and restored the original engine, in exchange for being able to use his original Mercedes engines to produce exact reproductions for the other Albatros fighters and other WWI aircraft that use that engine. Kermit's other original WWI Mercedes engine is being fitted to an exact-reproduction Fokker D.VII which is being built in the U.S. and nearing completion.)

Also, another of TVAL's Albatros D.Va's is currently for sale here: http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/Current%20Inventory/WWI%20ALBATROS%20DVA.htm

[mike_cyul]

My two cent contribution here: Back when I was going to Old Rhinebeck every year, more or less, Gene allowed me to sit in the cockpit of the Albatros once, and I was surprised at how big and roomy it was. I'm over six feet tall, and it was perfectly comfortable with lots of room to spare. Pleasantly surprised by that.