Are there any WWI aircraft still in existence? Specifically, are any in flying condition? Where can I see one?

Question

I've never seen one on the airshow circuit (plenty of WWII warbirds); but then, I've never been to Oshkosh, either...

Answer 1

Shuttleworth Collection. Old Warden Aerodrome, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, UK (telephone [phone])
[Sopwith Pup]
Sopwith Pup - 80 years old and still flying


* If you are interested in seeing flying examples of the earliest planes, then the Shuttleworth Trust Collection, Old Warden, Bedfordshire UK can be particularly recommended. There are 'flying days' during the Summer months giving you a chance to see some very rare planes from WW1, the 1920s and 1930s taking the air again.

[SE5A Fighter]
SE5A one of Britain's best fighters from WW1

* The Collection is located two miles off the A1 trunk road, west of Biggleswade and consists of some 38 aircraft owned by the Collection, loaned by private owners or based at the aerodrome. The Collection includes an airworthy Sopwith Pup which is 80 years old as well as WW1 German LVG C VI. Unfortunately the LVG has now been permanently grounded is being prepared for static display at the RAF Museum Hendon

Thomas-Morse Scout
Thomas-Morse Scout rear quarter view

Thomas-Morse Scout in Flight

The jewel of the VAHF collection is an original Thomas-Morse S-4C Scout. This is the only S-4C still flying, and one of only a handful that have survived from the days of the Great War. The museum's S-4C has been restored twice (that we know of), and it is powered by an original LeRhone rotary engine.

The Thomas Brothers Aeroplane Company was founded in 1912. In 1915 it built 24 Thomas T-2 biplanes for the Royal Naval Air Service, and build a similar airplane on floats for the U.S. Navy. In 1917, Thomas Brothers merged with the Morse Chain Company to form the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation. This new company made a more serious attempt to meet military requirements, and produced the prototype Thomas-Morse S-4 advanced trainer.

Thomas-Morse Taxiing

The S-4 was powered by a 100-hp Gnome rotary engine. This was followed by the improved S-4C, about 50 of which were powered by the Gnome rotary engine and the remainder (448) powered by the more reliable 80-hp LeRhone rotary.
Rotary Engine

The WWI rotary engines are unique in that although they have a radial cylinder layout (with the cylinders arranged like the points of a star), the propeller was bolted directly to the crankcase and the entire engine spun with the prop. This was necessary to provide sufficient cooling for the higher-powered engines, but it produced some interesting flight characteristics. The great mass of the spinning engine acted as a gyroscope, causing the aircraft to have greatly differing flight characteristics depending on whether it was turning right or left.
More Information

More information about the Thomas-Morse Scout is available at the Thomas-Morse Scout website, and at the Air Force Museum's website.

Answer 2

I'm assuming you are in the States, so don't have the good fortune to be close to the superb Shuttleworth Collection that has already been mentioned. Actually, we're totally spoilt here in England as Duxford airfield is not far from Old Warden, which is home to several companies flying historic warbirds; earlier this year we were treated to the site of three Bristol Fighters in the air at the same time! One of them has now gone to New Zealand (it's owned by LOTR director Peter Jackson) and will be seen at Wanaka, home for ANOTHER superb collection.

Anyways, you need places in the US of A. Nobody has mentioned Old Rhinebeck in lower New York State. A marvellous collection of biplanes, most of them WW I (or earlier) and a good number of them flown regularly!

Answer 3

Pensacola Florida Naval Air Station

Answer 4

Check out the Confederate Air Force.

Answer 5

National Warplane Mueseum in Horseheads, New York

Answer 6

there is one other one in Washington and its called the flying heritage COLLECTION its not a museum and they store all types of planes there actually, when i went there our group was the first to see 2 airplanes, a messershmitt and a p-47 thunderbolt so that was kind of cool but they do have some ww1 aircraft in there

Answer 7

Museum of Flight down at boeing field near seattle in washington... u can even ride in 1 for like 100 bucks

Answer 8

There is a place called Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Canaan, Ct. 06018 USA. They do flying demonstrations, and give rides. I think they only operate in the summer months.

Answer 9

Hy Eric-Miky over the pond in England here.I know its a tad too far for you to travel-but we have:THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM-HENDON.....THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM-CENTRAL LONDON.....THE ROLLS-ROYCE CENTER-COVENTRY.....AND THE BIGGIN HILL FLIGHT CENTER-IN KENT.I am sure there are many more of these flight centers and museum's all over great britain,catering for all ages of flight-the ones i have mentioned do cater for WW1&2 aircraft-there are also the (in)famous airshow's too.Hope i helped!

Answer 10

smithsoniaum air and space museum,washington dc