Howdy all
There was an airshow in my neck of the woods recently, so I thought I would share with everyone here! Well, the coolest thing happened, a WWI Fokker Dr.I came in and landed. I was fortunate enough to chat with the owner of the aircraft. Truly AMAZING. The pictures below are a 1:1 scale replica of Manfred von Richthofen's Fokker Dr.I painted in the scheme he was shot down in. The only difference between the actual Fokker and this replica is that this modern one has a tail wheel, brakes and was made out of a more modern fabric other than cloth (for the life of me I can't remember exactly what is was). Everything else is pretty much exact.
And then an even more exciting thing happened. I politely asked the fine gentleman if I could sit in the cockpit of his airplane, and he let me! I can't tell you all how exciting it was to sit in the cockpit of this thing. Truly amazing. Made my year. I cannot believe how little instrumentation there was. I honestly don't know how the guy flew it in with as little instruments there was. There was a simple compass, a clock, an speedometer and altimeter. I think there may have been a oil pressure gauge and a fuel gauge. That is it. Nothing fancy. I feel kind of bad, though. After I got out of the cockpit, I wanted to thank the owner, so I offered him some money I had on me. I think I embarrassed him unfortunately.
Oh well. I just wanted to thank him, as this was an extra special treat for me. I have always been a warbird fanatic.
Also, I did not realize how careful you had to be getting in and out of the plane. The plane is made of fabric, so you could not stand on the wing. Also there was not a cockpit floor! There were two steps, and then you had to stand with both feet in the seat. Getting out was awkward as well. I am sure it is something one gets used to as they do it and it becomes second nature. Just amazing.
Please enjoy the pictures, as I am sure the modder of the IL-2 Fokker Dr.I will find these very helpful
This picture below is of the fuselage emblems:
Below is the rudder & elevators:
The owner shutting down his engine after landing:
And this is me! (now everyone knows what I look like
And this is my soon to be wife:
Me sitting in the cockpit:
This is the owner telling me about his wonderful plane
The seat and non-existent cockpit floor:
Instruments and machine gun replicas
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Topic: Airshow Pictures (WWI stuff!) (Read 2825 times)
