Wings Over Windermere 11th & 12th May 2023
It was with great privilege G-ODIP was asked to fly alongside the Historic Waterbird for Wings over Windermere. The weather for the 2 days was incredible and spectators from far and wide came to view these magnificent machines. A delegation from Europes oldest and largest Seaplane operation (in the world) Aeroclub Como, came in support of this unique event.
Further information here:
https://aeroclubcomo.com/en/
The flying demonstrations took place on Lake Windermere, Waterbird’s original home, on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th May 2023. The unique replica aircraft was piloted by Pete Kinsey.
Spectators also enjoyed a flying demonstration by a second, more modern seaplane, the Aviat Husky - G-ODIP, showing the long legacy that Waterbird inspired.
The demonstration took place further up the lake than the first flights, with viewing points at Brockhole on Windermere, framing the Waterbird against the magnificent Langdale Pikes.
What is Waterbird?
Waterbird is the only replica seaplane of its era anywhere in the world. Apart from the modern engine, it faithfully recreates the detail of the original Waterbird from 1911, when it was the first seaplane to successfully fly in the UK. It was commissioned by Edward Wakefield from A. V. Roe & Co (‘Avro’) as a landplane and converted to a seaplane at Windermere, where the pilot was Herbert Stanley Adams.
Why is Waterbird significant?
Waterbird is one of a kind. The oldest original seaplanes still flying are the 1929 Hamilton Metalplane H-47 floatplane in the USA and the 1935 Caproni Ca.100 floatplane in Italy. There is no other airworthy replica or restoration anywhere in the world that dates back to before 1936.
This was only the second time a seaplane has flown from Windermere in 29 years, so the display attracted many hundreds of spectators.
The Waterbird is a delicate, historic aircraft, and the demonstration highlighted its remarkable capabilities. During each sequence, Waterbird demonstrated a Take-Off from the water, flew at up to 100 feet in a straight line along the lake, then land on the water, demonstrating the remarkable capabilities of this early aeroplane.
Further Information here:
https://www.waterbird.org.uk/wings-over-windermere-2023/
Supporting the Waterbird was G-ODIP and G-WATR. Both of these Aircraft have "Stepped" floats fitted, which is the same design as the original Waterbird. A testimony to our rich Seaplane History in the UK.