Vintage Aircraft at Oskhosh 2014
John Morris
This Bleriot replica features a steel-tube instead of wood fuselage and a modern Rotec radial engine, but is unusual in that it retains wing-warping instead of ailerons. It was designed by Robert Baslee’s Airdrome Aeroplanes of Holden, Missouri, which has become famous for its World War I kitplanes.
The Lark of Duluth, a green and white Benoist XIV flying boat with a 35-ft wingspan, was brought to Duluth in 1913 by the Boat Club to introduce the city to aviation. Later the aircraft was used to develop the St. Petersburg, Florida, to Tampa airline route, becoming the world’s first commercial airliner on Jan. 1, 1914. This replica, based in Duluth, has now flown twice.
The Curtiss Jenny was America’s ubiquitous World War I training aircraft, and was later used widely for barnstorming. On show at Oshkosh is a Jenny under restoration, along with a restored, flying example.
This full-size, Rotec-powered Sopwith Pup is another replica from the drawing board of Airdrome Aeroplanes.
New from Airdrome Aeroplanes is a full-size replica of the British SE5a fighter. This one was built specifically for a movie project, and will probably become available as a kit aircraft.
A rare Curtiss-Wright B-14-B Speedwing, designed in the 1930s as a high-performance biplane for well-to-do sportsmen. It seats two in the open front cockpit, and the pilot in the rear.
This replica of the giant, two-seat Granville Brothers Gee Bee race plane, the R-6 Q.E.D., was built over 10 years by Jim Moss, who died just before its first flight in 2013. The brothers constructed the aircraft in the 1930s for long-distance racing. The only example built is in a museum in Mexico.
This replica of the giant, two-seat Granville Brothers Gee Bee race plane, the R-6 Q.E.D., was built over 10 years by Jim Moss, who died just before its first flight in 2013. The brothers constructed the aircraft in the 1930s for long-distance racing. The only example built is in a museum in Mexico.
Curtains at the windows denote the luxury expected in a twin-engined Lockheed 12.
A whimsical street sign in the vintage aircraft area.
All photos: Mo Spuhler
