Airdrome Aeroplanes Fokker Triplane Replicas (Only One) of New Zealand

We are nearly completely up to date with this series of sport aircraft of New Zealand, well at least the fixed wing variety, with a couple of first of types that were registered here in 2020:

The Airdrome Aeroplanes Fokker Dr 1 Triplane replica is a blind rivetted aluminium framed (with some chrome moly steel for the hard points), and fabric covered aircraft that is a full sized replica from Robert Baslee's company based in Holden, Missouri.  Airdrome Aeroplanes builds kits for many types of WW 1 and earlier aircraft in 75% scale, 80% scale and full size.  They offer the full size Fokker Triplane and also a 75% scale version, which is tiny!

Specifications for a full size Fokker Triplane are:  length 18 feet 11 inches (5.77 metres) and the upper wingspan is 23 feet 7 inches (7.19 metres).  However the Airdrome Aeroplanes aircraft is much lighter than the original at around 532 pounds (as against 895 pounds) and in New Zealand the MAUW is 870 pounds (395 Kg).

We have had one Airdrome Aeroplanes Fokker Dr 1 Triplane replica in New Zealand to date:

Peter Walton of Whitianga built his Airdrome Aeroplanes full size Fokker Dr 1 Triplane replica ZK-CCO2 (c/n F1 02) and it was registered to him on 22/1/20.  It is powered by a Lycoming O-290 engine of 140 HP.

It is shown here with Peter Walton commencing the take off roll for its maiden flight, at Whitianga on 24/1/20.  It can be seen that it is marked with the serial F1 102/17 which was an early pre-production model before the Dr 1.

Thanks very much for the photos Peter - your Triplane looks great!

Remarkably, ZK-CCO2 is the ninth Fokker Triplane replica to fly in New Zealand but it is the first Airdrome Aeroplanes replica.  The others are all quite different although looking similar externally, but that is another story...