1⁄35Hell's Angels Redux
9
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In early March 2003 our president of the Lafayette Foundation (located at the Platte Valley airport, north of Denver Colorado) Andy Parks received a call to include some of our flying WWI replicas in the then upcoming movie, "The Aviator". What ensued was a a board meeting and resultant vote to travel to the site near Santa Clareta California at the Mystery Mountain Ranch an participate. Arriving in late September the road crew an three of our aircraft set up ar Hell's Angels Base camp. It took several hours to overpaint our full scale Fokker D.VII all-red. During the four days of shooting several of the LF crew took turns behind the digital camera. I present here fo your enjoy ment a minor segment of the images taken.
The overpainting was to duplicate the aircraft from the 1927 movie "Hells Angels".
James J. Parks was the original founder and inspiration behind the effort to successfully preserve World War I aviation history. James J. Parks was an Eagle Scout, and a life long supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. Andy Parks (also a Boy Scout and founding board member of The Lafayette Foundation) and his Father shared a common vision of preserving and passing on the history of the men and women who served their countries during the Great War.
In 1997, Andy Parks became President of the Foundation. Following in his Father’s footsteps, Andy has continued to expand the collection and is now concentrating on developing the flying side of the collection.
Andy Parks added three SE5a’s, a Fokker DrI, and a Sopwith Pup to the collection’s Fokker DVII--a replica that Andy and his father James built during the 1970’s. In 1999 Andy moved the planes to Platte Valley Airport.
In 2001 Mike De Santi donated property to the foundation to build a hangar to house the collection and planes. Mike has since been instrumental in much of the work on the planes, including maintenance and even construction of new ones. Mike is currently involved in building a Fokker DVIII replica.
During the fall of 2002 with cash donations made by Harry Combs and Andy Parks, and a construction loan, the foundation was able to build an 80 x 60 facility to house the aircraft and memorabilia collection under one roof.
1.Before her overpainting at home in Colorado "Aquarius" is flanked by Andy Parks (facing the camera) and the late Dr. James Parks (with his back to the camera). Dr. Parks was the founder and first president of the Lafayette Foundation.
2. And header image. The entrance to the movie set 13 Oct. 2003. The “Lafayette Foundation” ladies auxiliary takes a ride on a scissor jack.
3. Dawn Patrol for the movie extras and cast, checking makeup and wardrobe.
4. Owners and pilots of the assembled aircraft get dressed up for the taxi and background shots.
5. The Lafayette Foundation crew and our repainted Fokker D.VII “Aquarius”.
6. Getting ready for a shoot of the aircraft line up.
7. Michael Desanti of the Lafayette Foundation feigns pulling the prop on “Aquarius”.
8. The stencil is pulled on a freshly painted white cross border.
9. The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. In the background is a real Tommy Morse Scout and another Fokker D.VII replica in Jasta 15 livery.
10. Mike Desanti poses by “Aquarius”.
11. Mike Desanti poses by one of the Lafayette Foundation’s 80% SE 5a replicas. Originally this was oened by the Frank Ryder Foundation. We purchased it in 2000.
12. Michael Desanti of the Lafayette Foundation feigns pulling the prop on our 80% SE 5a..
13. Here Aquarius has not been completely painted. The outboard top wing tips still show her original colours.
14. The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. At left is a real Tommy Morse Scout and in the back ground other another Fokker D.VII replicas.
15. The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. Note the top wing tips. In the background is a real Tommy Morse Scout and the other Fokker D.VII replica that was in Jasta 15 livery, has just been painted all-red.
16. Finally an all red “Aquarius” awaits the application of her German crosses.
17. In the Lafayette Foundation “on set hangar” our two Se 5a aircraft replicas are serviced.
18. Rear quarter view of three full sized Fokker D.VII replicas for the movie.
19. Front quarter view of three full sized Fokker D.VII replicas for the movie.
20. The unit movie vehicles for the background shots.
21. The Lafayette Foundation crew defend the airfield.
22. Leonardo D. Takes a morning stroll.
23. The “Lafayette Foundation” ladies auxiliary does their bit to cheer on the crew. Once a cheerleader always a cheerleader.
24. The “Lafayette Foundation” hangs out with Jay Leno to tout the movie’s opening.
The LaFayette Foundation is the largest collection of World War I aviation named-memorabilia in the world. Memorabilia on display by the foundation could not be duplicated. Of course, the historical value of the foundation's planes, uniforms, medals and related memorabilia is priceless.
We are named the LaFayette Foundation in honor of the Americans who served France prior to the U.S. involvement in World War I, who were referred to as "The LaFayette Escadrille & Flying Corps." In their honor, and in the honor of the men and women who served their contries in World War I, we preserve this history for future generations to come.
The foundation is a Colorado not-for-profit 501 c.3 established by James Parks, MD, PhD, in 1984 as a historical and educational foundation. The current foundation president is Mr. Andrew James Parks.
Mission Statement:To preserve early aviation history and present this history in an interactive format to educate the public and inspire future generations to become involved in aviation and/or aviation history.
At the LaFayette Foundation, youth are able to see the uniforms, memorabilia and aircraft of the men and women that we learn about in history classes. Youth are able to personally experience a functioning airport and watch a number of replicas of World War I aircraft fly (weather permitting of course).
Students are also able to see and perhaps even ocassionally assist in the restoration and construction of replicas of other WWI aircraft. We always have projects underway; Some in the early stages of construction and perhaps one or two almost completed. Students can look inside the structure of these authentic WW-I planes to see the parts and construction methods commonly used to create our airplanes.
Another popular activity is an educational "talking tour" of each plane. Knowledgeable staff explain historical details and operational characteristics of popular aircraft. Here you see students viewing the exterior of our 1942 Beech AT-7. This particular plane is actually a WW-II era plane built to train Army Air Cadets in navigation, aerial photography and bombing. With this plane students are often able to view both the interior and cockpit.
project for museum staff this summer (2006) is to complete the construction of our 1930's era Great Lakes biplane so we can offer "Young Eagle" rides to youth.
We'll offer more information on this effort in the project area of our website as activity swings into high gear.
The "Young Eagles" reference made above is a program launched in 1992 by the Experimental Aircraft Association to give interested young people, ages 8 - 17, an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane.
We also have an Aviation Education Program Curriculum for teachers to use in their classrooms. This effort provides teachers with an interactive history lesson where students are challenged to learn information on key historical figures within the Museum's collection (e.g. Rickenbacker, von Richthofen, Gerstenberg and others).
Teachers are supplied with PowerPoint presentations that focus on the history of the aviators as well as Colorado pilots involved in WW-I. During the Museum tour, students have the opportunity to see the actual, original, uniforms of these historical individuals.
At some point, we hope to have the resources to be able to take selected museum materials to schools in Colorado who are geographically unable to bring students to the museum. This effort is currently in the planning stage.
Flight, movie extras (from "Flyboys") and various other educational videos. Video files range from approximately 600K to over 3.6mb in a couple of cases. If anyone wants smaller (to accomodate slow, dial-up connections) or larger (for a super-fast broadband connection) video files please email the webmaster and indicate your preference.
On our website we have • The End Of An Era Windows or Quicktime version
• Fokker D-VII Introduction Windows or Quicktime version
• Fokker Triplane Introduction Windows or Quicktime version
• British & American SE-5 Fighter aircraft Windows or Quicktime version
• Different training programs of each country Windows or Quicktime version
• Mission of the Vintage Aero museum & the Lafayette Foundation: Windows or Quicktime version
• Museum President introducing members of the Lafayette Escadrille Windows or Quicktime version
• Overview of WW-I planes including flying scenes from the movie "Flyboys" *Note: file is 4.4mb Windows or Quicktime version
• Overview of common machine guns on planes. This video clip highlights the Fokker Dr.I Triplane owned and flown by the Lafayette Foundation in Colorado. Also museum President Andy Parks highlights some of the diferences between pilot training by the French & Germans. Windows or Quicktime version
• Short Biography of Corporal Eugene Bullard from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
• Short biography of Norman Prince from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
• Video from the movie "Flyboys" where Capt Hall's children and musuem President Andy Parks discuss both Capt Hall and Charles Nordhoff's WW-I and post WW-I accomplishments: Windows (5.4mb) or Quicktime (5mb) version
• Short biography of Frank Luke from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
• Short biography of Raoul Lufbery from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
See us at www.lafayettefoundation.org
The overpainting was to duplicate the aircraft from the 1927 movie "Hells Angels".
James J. Parks was the original founder and inspiration behind the effort to successfully preserve World War I aviation history. James J. Parks was an Eagle Scout, and a life long supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. Andy Parks (also a Boy Scout and founding board member of The Lafayette Foundation) and his Father shared a common vision of preserving and passing on the history of the men and women who served their countries during the Great War.
In 1997, Andy Parks became President of the Foundation. Following in his Father’s footsteps, Andy has continued to expand the collection and is now concentrating on developing the flying side of the collection.
Andy Parks added three SE5a’s, a Fokker DrI, and a Sopwith Pup to the collection’s Fokker DVII--a replica that Andy and his father James built during the 1970’s. In 1999 Andy moved the planes to Platte Valley Airport.
In 2001 Mike De Santi donated property to the foundation to build a hangar to house the collection and planes. Mike has since been instrumental in much of the work on the planes, including maintenance and even construction of new ones. Mike is currently involved in building a Fokker DVIII replica.
During the fall of 2002 with cash donations made by Harry Combs and Andy Parks, and a construction loan, the foundation was able to build an 80 x 60 facility to house the aircraft and memorabilia collection under one roof.
1.Before her overpainting at home in Colorado "Aquarius" is flanked by Andy Parks (facing the camera) and the late Dr. James Parks (with his back to the camera). Dr. Parks was the founder and first president of the Lafayette Foundation.
2. And header image. The entrance to the movie set 13 Oct. 2003. The “Lafayette Foundation” ladies auxiliary takes a ride on a scissor jack.
3. Dawn Patrol for the movie extras and cast, checking makeup and wardrobe.
4. Owners and pilots of the assembled aircraft get dressed up for the taxi and background shots.
5. The Lafayette Foundation crew and our repainted Fokker D.VII “Aquarius”.
6. Getting ready for a shoot of the aircraft line up.
7. Michael Desanti of the Lafayette Foundation feigns pulling the prop on “Aquarius”.
8. The stencil is pulled on a freshly painted white cross border.
9. The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. In the background is a real Tommy Morse Scout and another Fokker D.VII replica in Jasta 15 livery.
10. Mike Desanti poses by “Aquarius”.
11. Mike Desanti poses by one of the Lafayette Foundation’s 80% SE 5a replicas. Originally this was oened by the Frank Ryder Foundation. We purchased it in 2000.
12. Michael Desanti of the Lafayette Foundation feigns pulling the prop on our 80% SE 5a..
13. Here Aquarius has not been completely painted. The outboard top wing tips still show her original colours.
14. The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. At left is a real Tommy Morse Scout and in the back ground other another Fokker D.VII replicas.
15. The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. Note the top wing tips. In the background is a real Tommy Morse Scout and the other Fokker D.VII replica that was in Jasta 15 livery, has just been painted all-red.
16. Finally an all red “Aquarius” awaits the application of her German crosses.
17. In the Lafayette Foundation “on set hangar” our two Se 5a aircraft replicas are serviced.
18. Rear quarter view of three full sized Fokker D.VII replicas for the movie.
19. Front quarter view of three full sized Fokker D.VII replicas for the movie.
20. The unit movie vehicles for the background shots.
21. The Lafayette Foundation crew defend the airfield.
22. Leonardo D. Takes a morning stroll.
23. The “Lafayette Foundation” ladies auxiliary does their bit to cheer on the crew. Once a cheerleader always a cheerleader.
24. The “Lafayette Foundation” hangs out with Jay Leno to tout the movie’s opening.
The LaFayette Foundation is the largest collection of World War I aviation named-memorabilia in the world. Memorabilia on display by the foundation could not be duplicated. Of course, the historical value of the foundation's planes, uniforms, medals and related memorabilia is priceless.
We are named the LaFayette Foundation in honor of the Americans who served France prior to the U.S. involvement in World War I, who were referred to as "The LaFayette Escadrille & Flying Corps." In their honor, and in the honor of the men and women who served their contries in World War I, we preserve this history for future generations to come.
The foundation is a Colorado not-for-profit 501 c.3 established by James Parks, MD, PhD, in 1984 as a historical and educational foundation. The current foundation president is Mr. Andrew James Parks.
Mission Statement:To preserve early aviation history and present this history in an interactive format to educate the public and inspire future generations to become involved in aviation and/or aviation history.
At the LaFayette Foundation, youth are able to see the uniforms, memorabilia and aircraft of the men and women that we learn about in history classes. Youth are able to personally experience a functioning airport and watch a number of replicas of World War I aircraft fly (weather permitting of course).
Students are also able to see and perhaps even ocassionally assist in the restoration and construction of replicas of other WWI aircraft. We always have projects underway; Some in the early stages of construction and perhaps one or two almost completed. Students can look inside the structure of these authentic WW-I planes to see the parts and construction methods commonly used to create our airplanes.
Another popular activity is an educational "talking tour" of each plane. Knowledgeable staff explain historical details and operational characteristics of popular aircraft. Here you see students viewing the exterior of our 1942 Beech AT-7. This particular plane is actually a WW-II era plane built to train Army Air Cadets in navigation, aerial photography and bombing. With this plane students are often able to view both the interior and cockpit.
project for museum staff this summer (2006) is to complete the construction of our 1930's era Great Lakes biplane so we can offer "Young Eagle" rides to youth.
We'll offer more information on this effort in the project area of our website as activity swings into high gear.
The "Young Eagles" reference made above is a program launched in 1992 by the Experimental Aircraft Association to give interested young people, ages 8 - 17, an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation airplane.
We also have an Aviation Education Program Curriculum for teachers to use in their classrooms. This effort provides teachers with an interactive history lesson where students are challenged to learn information on key historical figures within the Museum's collection (e.g. Rickenbacker, von Richthofen, Gerstenberg and others).
Teachers are supplied with PowerPoint presentations that focus on the history of the aviators as well as Colorado pilots involved in WW-I. During the Museum tour, students have the opportunity to see the actual, original, uniforms of these historical individuals.
At some point, we hope to have the resources to be able to take selected museum materials to schools in Colorado who are geographically unable to bring students to the museum. This effort is currently in the planning stage.
Flight, movie extras (from "Flyboys") and various other educational videos. Video files range from approximately 600K to over 3.6mb in a couple of cases. If anyone wants smaller (to accomodate slow, dial-up connections) or larger (for a super-fast broadband connection) video files please email the webmaster and indicate your preference.
On our website we have • The End Of An Era Windows or Quicktime version
• Fokker D-VII Introduction Windows or Quicktime version
• Fokker Triplane Introduction Windows or Quicktime version
• British & American SE-5 Fighter aircraft Windows or Quicktime version
• Different training programs of each country Windows or Quicktime version
• Mission of the Vintage Aero museum & the Lafayette Foundation: Windows or Quicktime version
• Museum President introducing members of the Lafayette Escadrille Windows or Quicktime version
• Overview of WW-I planes including flying scenes from the movie "Flyboys" *Note: file is 4.4mb Windows or Quicktime version
• Overview of common machine guns on planes. This video clip highlights the Fokker Dr.I Triplane owned and flown by the Lafayette Foundation in Colorado. Also museum President Andy Parks highlights some of the diferences between pilot training by the French & Germans. Windows or Quicktime version
• Short Biography of Corporal Eugene Bullard from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
• Short biography of Norman Prince from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
• Video from the movie "Flyboys" where Capt Hall's children and musuem President Andy Parks discuss both Capt Hall and Charles Nordhoff's WW-I and post WW-I accomplishments: Windows (5.4mb) or Quicktime (5mb) version
• Short biography of Frank Luke from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
• Short biography of Raoul Lufbery from the movie "Flyboys" Windows or Quicktime version
See us at www.lafayettefoundation.org
Before her overpainting at home in Colorado "Aquarius" is flanked by Andy Parks (facing the camera) and the late Dr. James Parks (with his back to the camera). Dr. Parks was the founder and first president of the Lafayette Foundation.
Dawn Patrol for the movie extras and cast, checking makeup and wardrobe.
Owners and pilots of the assembled aircraft get dress up for the taxi and background shots.
The Lafayette Foundation crew and our repainted Fokker D.VII “Aquarius”.
Getting ready for a shoot of the aircraft line up.
Michael Desanti of the Lafayette Foundation feigns pulling the prop on “Aquarius”
The stencil is pulled on a freshly painted white cross border.
The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. In the background is a real Tommy Morse Scout and another Fokker D.VII replica in its Jasta 15 livery. Eventually the German replicas were all painted red.
Mike Desanti poses by “Aquarius”. The engine is an inverted aircooled Ranger. The normal "grill we use is removed here for ease of maintenance and the California heat of midday.
Mike Desanti poses by one of the Lafayette Foundation’s 7/8 scale SE 5a replicas. Originally these were owned by the Frank Ryder Foundation. We purchased them in 2000.
Michael Desanti of the Lafayette Foundation feigns pulling the prop on our 7/8 scale SE 5a.
Here Aquarius has not been completely painted. The outboard top wing tips still show her original colours. Mona Desanti of the LF crew stands at right.
The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. At left is a real Tommy Morse Scout and in the back ground other another Fokker D.VII replica.
The freshly painted “Aquarius” sits baking in the California sun. Note the top wing tips. In the background is a real Tommy Morse Scout and the other Fokker D.VII replica that was in Jasta 15 livery, has just been painted all-red.
In the Lafayette Foundation “on set hangar” our two Se 5a aircraft replicas are serviced.
Finally an all red “Aquarius” awaits the application of her German crosses.
Rear quarter view of three full sized Fokker D.VII replicas for the movie.
Front quarter view of three full sized Fokker D.VII replicas for the movie.
The Lafayette Foundation crew defend the airfield. L-R Mike Sparrow, Andy and Michelle Parks, Mark Harmond, Marilyn, Mona and Mike Desanti.
The unit movie vehicles for the background shots.
Leonardo D. and John C. Riley take a morning stroll.
The “Lafayette Foundation” ladies auxiliary does their bit to cheer on the crew. Once a cheerleader always a cheerleader.
The “Lafayette Foundation” hangs out with Jay Leno during a quick trip to the Burbank studios. L-R Mike and Mona Desanti, Mike Sparrow, Michelle Parks, Jay Leno, Mark and marilyn, Andy Parks (Foundation president). Mr. Leno first toured our foundation when he was in Denver during 2002.
Here in 2004 "Aquarius" has taken on a new guise as a more familar but not entirely accurate scheme of Oblt. E. Udet's first Fokker D.VII. The lighter Ranger engine caused the nose to be pushed out to improve actual flight characteristics.
About the Author
FROM: COLORADO, UNITED STATES
I was building Off topic jet age kits at the age of 7. I remember building my first WWI kit way back in 1964-5 at the age of 8-9. Hundreds of 1/72 scale Revell and Airfix kits later my eyes started to change and I wanted to do more detail. With the advent of DML / Dragon and Eduard I sold off my ...
Comments
Great shots Stephen! Gives you the feeling that you wish you were there...
JUN 27, 2007 - 05:11 AM
Hi Stephen!
Fantastic feature! Thanks a lot for sharing...
I give you a good note for the technical aspect as well! I'm looking forward to see more of these.
Jean-Luc
JUN 27, 2007 - 06:59 AM
Thank You Jan and Jean-Luc! I have to give credit ti Rowan for the Feature heading image and thumbnail.
JUN 27, 2007 - 07:13 AM
Hang on folks I am trying to tweak the Feature so the length is not such a long length of one column.
JUN 27, 2007 - 03:31 PM
Should be good now. The issue was I had sooooo many images and they would format correctly to the bottom. So I added a bit more info on the foundation. Pardon me for blowing our horn so to speak.
JUN 28, 2007 - 08:07 AM
I'm getting them now. Looks great.
Shameless Plug or Educational Posting. I prefer to think you are doing a good job keeping us up to date on important information.
Thanks Stephen
JUN 29, 2007 - 12:50 AM
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