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Full scale Graham Lee Nieuport 17 meets it's fate (no injuries) on first flight :(

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FritzW

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2011
Messages
3,896
Location
Las Cruces, NM
Other than a healthy wack on the arm, some Mesquite thorns in his scalp and a broken heart, the pilot/builder wasn't injured.

20180508_095815_001_resized.jpg 20180508_103700_resized.jpg

This airplane was in the background of several pictures I've posted about our chapter Waiex build. As far as I know, this was one of only two full size Graham Lee N-17's that have been built, ...and a beautiful airplane :depressed

n17 a.jpg The artwork alone makes this a real bummer.

n17 b.jpg He lost directional control on his maiden takeoff and tried to save it (I ain't gonna second guess that decision, he was the only one in the cockpit)

n17 c.jpg I thought the shadow of my little drone on the wheel was pretty cool...


It was interesting to see the failure modes of tube and gusset construction. The parts that failed, failed slowly (rivet by rivet) kind of like crush zones in a modern car. It was impressive.

The airplane was damaged beyond economical repair but will probably live on as a static display at the War Eagles Museum.
 
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