On the 11 September, 2013, at 7:24 pm, just at dusk, the Bristol
Military Biplane Boxkite replica VH-XKT flew for the first time.
Three years ago tonight.
The first flight in 2013.
Built by Project 2014, Group Captain Ron Gretton, AM, OAM, and Wing Commander Geoff Matthews, OAM, both RAAF Retired, for the RAAF Museum, this proved the aircraft worked, and it was to go on to be flown on both days of the 2014 Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow at RAAF Point Cook on the 1st and 2nd of March 2014.
Sadly the aircraft is currently grounded, but it did what it was designed to do.
An RAAF
Museum Archives image of one of the original Australian Army Boxkites at
RAAF Point Cook, circa 1914-15.
Three years ago tonight.
Built by Project 2014, Group Captain Ron Gretton, AM, OAM, and Wing Commander Geoff Matthews, OAM, both RAAF Retired, for the RAAF Museum, this proved the aircraft worked, and it was to go on to be flown on both days of the 2014 Centenary of Military Aviation Airshow at RAAF Point Cook on the 1st and 2nd of March 2014.
Sadly the aircraft is currently grounded, but it did what it was designed to do.
Posts
Any chance of posting your paper from a while ago about the difficulties of learning to fly the boxkite?
ReplyDeleteI remember an online simulator for the original Wright Flyer: it was just about impossible to control.