Today I collected the next in a series of classic wooden airframes, a 1976 SZD Pirat from store in the side of a hangar in Suffolk. The owner had passed away and it had been left to the family. It seems nobody wanted it again (hints of the Oly here), and the owners feared they’d have little choice but to burn it!
Well its saved, and next week I’ll get it rigged (am working away from monday so no other chance in the short term). Its never been restored, never been damaged, completely original from when it was built! AMAZINGLY only 380 hours on the airframe from new.
Am still on the look out for a proper “classic” though. Just like the Oly, pictures to follow on here – its a rebuild for a customer so will have to bump it in front of the Grasshopper! The Oly passed its annual though…..
FB
By: Fournier Boy - 19th September 2011 at 18:13
It flies!!!!!
Twice….
FB
By: Fournier Boy - 4th May 2011 at 21:30
Me involved with lots of beer, nah – totally unheard of!!!!
Eric, I might have located a T21 Mainwheel tyre for you, by the time I return from Czech republic middle of next week, I should have it in my possession – are you still in need of it?
Also, I still really need an Astir CS77 Canopy if you come across one, although the fuselage is coming together now – wings are done!
I’m sure theres some more stuff I need, cant think what offhand….
FB
By: ericmunk - 4th May 2011 at 14:49
Ah, that would explain why everybody in his right mind was keeping a healthy distance from that Finnish table at the International Evening in 2009…
By: Astir 8 - 4th May 2011 at 14:15
You should see the video of him at the VGC International Evening at Achmer in 2002! I think it was that rocket fuel the Finns were handing out along with the smoked Bambi:D:D:D
By: ericmunk - 4th May 2011 at 13:14
Dave, Think that’s bad? We have them of FB involved in lots of beer and pizza while celebrating the purchase of an Astir (Glassfibre! Blasfemy! And Broken too!). Then again, thinking of it, he may have the same pics of us at the same bar celebrating the purchase of a T.21 (true: wood, but also very broken)….
By: Astir 8 - 4th May 2011 at 09:43
I’m not retired! Just moved my desk to Scotland that’s all. Looking for a workshop long enough for gliders though.
PS I’ll still take the Grasshopper rides though!:D:D
Dave
PPS Take care, I’ve got photos of a very young Fournier Boy ripping fabric off BNK. One false move and they’ll be on this forum
By: Fournier Boy - 3rd May 2011 at 19:08
It’ll never rust or rot Dave!!!!! 🙂
Must meet up with Steve at some point, but right now, I’m honnestly full to absolute capacity. Even now – I cant see any free time much before April 2012, but then I’ve just been emailed about a respray on a Pilatus B4 for next may!
Please come out of retirement Dave and give me a hand – wages – as much Grasshopper flying as you can take!
FB
By: Astir 8 - 3rd May 2011 at 08:09
FB
Bignose delivered BLW to Feshie last Thursday. She’s still looking pretty good – but then you put plenty of that blue paint on her (and on the workshop walls, floor, ceiling & windows plus the drift into the hangar!).:D:D
Dave
By: Fournier Boy - 2nd May 2011 at 21:28
Yes, jolly windy here too Dave, but we’re made of stern stuff down ‘ere!
Cutting into a Vega tomorrow so at least I’ll be indoors out of it for a few days!
FB
By: G-ASEA - 2nd May 2011 at 21:04
Looks good. Lucky you could rig. It was to windy at the Haddenham rally.
Dave
By: Fournier Boy - 2nd May 2011 at 20:59
The grand rigging occured over the weekend at Parham. Pretty good overall, bit of play in the outer tips that will require some shimming, and a cracked top rudder hinge bracket, but it will live on shortly (in the next couple of weeks), as G-DEOB…. enjoy!
Crazy to think its been lying in a hangar for 5 years and nobody wanted it!
FB
By: Arabella-Cox - 27th April 2011 at 19:38
Makes up for it with a heavy centre section though….
Pirat rigging is not for wimps!
By: ericmunk - 27th April 2011 at 14:28
Easily. Even a winch is lighter than Skylark’s wingtips.
By: Astir 8 - 27th April 2011 at 14:07
Well the Pirat wingtips are lighter than a Skylark’s.
By: Fournier Boy - 27th April 2011 at 08:27
Yes, something about Polish built gliders the last few years – anything to keep me on my toes and in the workshop! Have just got around to uploading pictures from the Pirat collection, hoping to go for a grand rigging exercise friday evening!
By: ericmunk - 26th April 2011 at 19:13
Don’t forget to check the AD’s. There’s a new (P)AD for them out some weeks ago.
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April 23, 2011 at 9:25 pm