I am looking for drawings to build a repro. can anyone help ?

cuckoo · 13 January 2009, 06:51 AM

Hi
I am looking to build a full sized accurate repro of a WW1 aeroplane & hope that some of you fellow enthusiasts may be able to tell me where I may be able to purchase copies of original drawings from ?.
I hope to build a type that we currently do not have here in Britain & have listed below a few of the types that I would be interested in obtaining drawings for.

MARTINSYDE S1.
MARTINSYDE F4 BUZZARD.
ROYAL AIRCRAFT FACTORY R.E.8.
DE HAVILLAND (AIRCO) DH1A.
DE HAVILLAND (AIRCO) DH4.
DE HAVILLAND (AIRCO) DH5.
DE HAVILLAND (AIRCO) DH6.
DE HAVILLAND (AIRCO) DH10.
ALBATROSS DVA.
CURTISS JN3.
HAWKER WOODCOCK.
ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH FK 3.
ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH FK 8.
SHORT 184.
AVRO 504B.
HANDLEY PAGE 0/400 (FRONT FUSELAGE ONLY).
VICKERS FB5 GUNBUS.
VICKERS VIMY (NOSE ONLY).
ETC,ETC.

I would be most pleased to hear from anyone who may have or know where I can acquire any drawings etc for any of the above aeroplanes.

Cheers.
Mark.

'14-'18aviationcollector · 13 January 2009, 07:16 AM

Hi,

I am not aware of the location of drawings for the construction of many of the aeroplane types you have mentioned, but I might be able to help you with drawings for the Albatros D.Va. There are bits and pieces of information held by various researchers and collectors, and I have some of that information, but there is no definitive set of drawings I am aware of. There are some very good drawings available, but I don't know how accurate or complete they are. I actually made a phone call today about this, but I was not able to get through. When I am able to contact the relevant person involved, I might be able to help you. I can't promise though, because there are issues which still require some negotiation. I will do everything I can, and let you know what I am able to organise. Apart from these drawings, Sheppo and I have many bits and pieces, but we have not collated it yet. I am not sure how much of it was lost as a result of my divorce, I haven't even looked at that material yet, but I will when I can. I hope I have not lost any of my notes and photos, but there is a strong possibility that at least some of it could be gone. Still, there is quite a lot of information about the D.Va out there, it just has to be collated.

I don't think you should have any problem obtaining drawings for many or most of the DH and Vickers aeroplanes, or the RE8.

Regards,

David.

Der Grüne Flieger · 13 January 2009, 11:37 AM

David,

I am still interested to get copies of what you have on the DVa. Not sure what happened last time we spoke, but if you are still offering, I'm accepting.

Phil

'14-'18aviationcollector · 13 January 2009, 03:35 PM

Hi Phil,

I am the first to admit that I get side tracked, so I am always open to a friendly reminder. There is always a lot to do, and the compilation of Albatros D.Va information really is a long and ongoing project. Chris has compiled more information than anyone of course, but I think he, like all of us finds that collating it takes time. The fact is that as far as I am aware, the drawings in the NASM book about the Albatros D.Va, although incorrect are the best guide currently available. There are many mistakes in them, but there is also a lot of good and accurate information in them. The difficulty is sorting the good information from the incorrect information. After making some enquiries just a month or two ago, I think I have been able to play a part in organising the release of some better drawings. They have been around for a while, but have not been widely available as far as I am aware. As I said, I don't think there any definitive drawings available just yet, but there are some very good ones. Even these improved drawings will certainly not be perfect, but I would say they will be by far the best available. I can't promise anything, but I am doing everything I can to assist in the release of these drawings. They are not my work, so there is only so much I can do. The information I have is sparse in comparison, but when the bits and pieces from various sources are combined, it all helps in the quest for the best information available.

I am sorry that I can't be of much help just yet, but hopefully there will be some good information available very soon. Thank you very much for your patience,

David.

Der Grüne Flieger · 13 January 2009, 05:16 PM

David,

Your reply is encouraging. Seems like now you are a bit closer to getting that new source of info. made public.

All I can say is when you do have those new drawings, please, please contact me and I'll make arrangements to get copies.

Thanks,
Phil

'14-'18aviationcollector · 13 January 2009, 05:25 PM

Hi Phil,

I am sorry that it is such a long and ongoing process, but compiling information and producing technical drawings from it more often than not requires literally a lifetime in some cases, such as the Albatros. If things go according to plan, there should be very much more information made available in addition to the Albatros drawings. I tried the home and work phone numbers I have, but I have not been able to get an answer. I will try the mobile phone number I have, and see how I go. Even after I make contact, there are still a range of issues involved, and which will require some negotiation. I am sorry that it is such a long process but I will do what I can, and let you know what I am able to achieve.

Regards,

David.

SCMc · 13 January 2009, 11:30 PM

Hi Mark,

RE: A.W. FK 8

You might try the Koolhoven Foundation. Under "Activities" they state:

Quote:

The Foundation's main activity is the gathering of material and information in order to bring the surviving material together in one archive....

Furthermore the Foundation's files are used to supply technical data to replica builders...

I think the FK 8 or the R.E.8 would be great choices.

Steve

Maxim08 · 14 January 2009, 05:49 AM

Mark,
Contact World War I Aero magazine. They have a considerable number of drawings available for purchase. Not always the best quality and not rarely complete but certainly a good start.
THey have some:
Avro 504,
HP 0/400
JN4 (which may help with the JN3)
RE8
Short 184
etc

I understand that the Dh5 in New Zealand was based upon plans sourced from WWI Aero.
Regards,
John

cuckoo · 20 January 2009, 04:22 AM

Hi Steve
I have tried the Koolhoven group with no success as they say they do not have anything for the types I am interested in.
I would be very keen to have a go at an R.E.8 but the only drawings I know of for it are at the PRO at Kew & these are very incomplete with most of the fuselage details etc missing.
Cheers
Mark

cuckoo · 20 January 2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maxim08

Mark,
Contact World War I Aero magazine. They have a considerable number of drawings available for purchase. Not always the best quality and not rarely complete but certainly a good start.
THey have some:
Avro 504,
HP 0/400
JN4 (which may help with the JN3)
RE8
Short 184
etc

I understand that the Dh5 in New Zealand was based upon plans sourced from WWI Aero.
Regards,
John

Hi John
WW1 Aero do have some copies of original drawings for types I am interested in, but most are very incomplete or just 3 views etc, I believe that the DH5 in NZ was built from Redfern's plans & these were not based on original drawings.
Cheers
Mark