Today made a visit to Eggesford in Devon, where currently being rebuilt is what is believed to be the sole surviving SkyJeep. The new owner was asking if any of the others managed to survive and so, well here I am!!
I think five were built, the prototype (G-AKVS) going to French Indo China (Vietnam) one to Uruguay (I seem to remember it being damaged on the ship transitting it, but I may be wrong), two were not finished and scrapped at Exeter and the one at Eggesford (G-AKVR) went to Australia from where it has now returned.
Does anyone know anything about the two other exported SkyJeeps?
Please find attached two photos taken of her today. All that she is now awaiting is a new propellor (Its old one, disintegrated on its delivery flight) and she will take to the skies again.
Best wishes,
Martin
By: David Burke - 12th December 2005 at 11:48
Consul – the frame you refer to was initially owned by SWWAPS at Lasham and had a pair of Auster AOP.6 wings as part of the kit. The ‘kit’ as such was passed to the Aeroplane Collection at Warmingham. The wings were exchanged with me for J.1 wings to be used in the rebuild of the collection’s Auster J.1. The Chrislea frame was sadly scrapped when the collection left Warmingham circa 1993. I identified it as ‘Chrislea’ based on inspection at Warmingham and the picture taken of it in a 1982 FlyPast article by Ken Ellis called ‘Whats worth preserving’ or words to that effect.
By: T6flyer - 11th December 2005 at 23:57
Thank you all for the wonderful facts and photos. The Eggesford example is the same as the one illustrated that went to Australia and somewhere along the line it was re-registered. It also had an engine change when rebuilt, but for some reason the original unit went with it and now has been re-united with the airframe.
Martin
By: Consul - 11th December 2005 at 23:49
There was a further fuselage frame which survived until quite recently. It was for many years erroneously thought to be an Auster frame. It was later identified as an unregistered Skyjeep which comprised an unused spare from the production run. It was with a preservation group until about 5 years ago then reportedly scrapped. There are a few Super Aces, two in the UK , I think at least one in Aussie and certainly one preserved in Japan.
The Skyjeep is an interesting machine – I was lucky enough to photograph ‘KVS with the prior owner and had a close inspection including a demo of opening the rear decking to see where a medevac patient could lie – would have been quite a ride!
By: old eagle - 11th December 2005 at 22:45
Pics, sources unknown
By: Newforest - 11th December 2005 at 21:26
Does anyone know anything about the two other exported SkyJeeps?
Well I guess this would be of the exported ones. VH-BRP (c/n 125) became VH-RCD later. There is another registration VH-OLD which could be the final one. I think some down under help is required! 🙂
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December 11, 2005 at 8:35 pm