A replica of Waterbird will fly over Windermere next week

The event is called Wings over Windermere, and a key feature will be the public flights of a replica of the UK's first successful seaplane Waterbird, weather allowing. 

Ian Gee, chairman of Lakes Flying Company, which is behind the Waterbird project and Wings over Windermere event, said: “Nowhere else in the world can the public see anything like Waterbird flying.

The Wings Over Windermere poster (Image: Wings Over Windermere)

“The replica Waterbird is unique for its era as a replica airworthy seaplane.” The original Waterbird flew on Windermere in 1911.

“There is an original 1929 floatplane in the USA and an original 1935 floatplane in Italy. Prior to 1936, there is no other airworthy original, restoration or replica seaplane [of that era].”

Four members of the Aero Club at Lake Como are coming to the Wings over Windermere event, including the owner of the 1935 floatplane.

Mr Gee said: “The other two seaplanes, both Huskies, are requested to attend in celebration of the heritage of the significant part played by Windermere in the development of seaplanes.

“They will participate even if the replica Waterbird is subject to postponement or cancellation due to inclement weather.

 “They also give an opportunity to compare and contrast the replica Waterbird with modern seaplanes. The wingspan of a Husky is 7 feet less than that of Waterbird.

READ MORE: The award-winning Waterbird project returns to Windermere

“The event is also an acknowledgement of the solution used by the original Waterbird at Windermere of the ‘stepped’ float to enable an aeroplane to fly off the water, as patented by Captain Edward Wakefield.

“Every flying boat, amphibian and seaplane that has flown since is an heir to his efforts.”

The replica, the only one of its kind in the world, made its first public flight last September. This marked the culmination of a 13-year project to create an exact copy of the iconic Waterbird and take it into the air above Windermere, the original’s home.

Pilot Peter Kynsey achieved four hops of about half a mile each, reaching about 45 mph and 45 feet above the water.

Mr Kynsey, aged 68, who specialises in flying heritage planes, will again be at the controls of Waterbird this year.

He said of last year’s flights: “Waterbird was unusual in that no one knew what to expect. Normally when you fly a prototype or other heritage planes, you have a good idea of what to expect.

“But with Waterbird, there is no one alive who has flown it. I was nervous when I was taxiing it out, mainly for all the people who had an investment in it flying, but once it took off, I could relax and enjoy the countryside around Windermere.”

In 2022, Waterbird was based on a private estate on the West side of Windermere. This year it will be based on the popular East side, on land next to Windermere Jetty Museum, off Rayrigg Road, Bowness.

The Rayrigg Wyke site is private and not open to the public. But between flights, visitors to the museum will be able to look across Rayrigg Wyke bay to see Waterbird in its temporary hangar.

Two other seaplanes will also be flying in and resting in the bay, to contrast and compare with Waterbird. Public viewpoints and facilities are at Brockhole, Windermere.

Apart from a modern engine, Waterbird faithfully recreates the detail of the original seaplane from 1911. The term ’seaplane’ was coined by Winston Churchill in 1913, as he became aware of their potential use in warfare.

The replica is constructed from wood, bamboo and wires: the same materials used to construct the original seaplane.

The 35ft long aircraft, has a wingspan of 40ft and weighs just 1000lb. It is powered by a Rotec 2800 radial engine, substituting for the original 50hp Gnome Rotary.