Arrived last week, Originally built around 1967, became the turbine prototype…I know it’s no of great interest to many but down in this part of the world, theses types of aircraft did a lot for making many farmers and even more sheep very very happy….. 😉
They have a great collection of this type of aircraft; tigermoth, CAC Ceres, Airtruk and a Cessna Agwagon.
By: Dave Homewood - 27th March 2006 at 12:23
Here is a photo taken by my late Dad in the 1980’s of the Turbo Fletcher Prototype back in the days when it was gate guard to Hamilton Airport at Rukuhia.
For those who know little about this aircraft, it was one of two built to test the idea of fitting a turboprop engine to a Fletcher, which was converted by James Aviation, the pioneers of aerial topdressing. The other prototype crashed back in the testing days I believe. This however lead the way for the Cresco, a totally redesigned Fletcher concept with the turboprop and new, better structure. This in turn lead eventually to the enlarged version, the PAC750XL, a fairly new airliner/parachuting aircraft that’s becoming popular these days.
By: Dave Homewood - 27th March 2006 at 12:13
Well well, this is very interesting. The Turbo Fletcher prototype at Motat eh? The last I heard it was meant to be going to the Waikato Museum in Hamilton, which was after it was offered to the National Museum of Agriculture at Mystery Creek (a stone’s throw from Rukuhia where this was built) but they didn’t want it. Mystery Creek was totally appropriate for this aircraft, I don’t think Waikato Museum was. At least it’s not out of place at Motat as a third (?) choice.
I’m glad it is being looked after, but now I worry it will be stuck outside again (something Waikato Museum wouldn’t have done!) and once again deteriorate like before. James Aviation has done a nice job of restoration by the looks of it.
The bomber in the background is in fact an RB-34 Lexington, operated in New Zealand during the war by the RNZAF and called a Ventura in our service. The RB-34’s never operated in the Pacific campaign because they had the wrong radio gear and were not up to the standard of the later PV-1 Venturas used by the RNZAF in the campaign. These RB-34’s were used for training only, and some coastal patrol in NZ. This one spent most of its career at the Technical Training School in Nelson.
By: Ian Quinn - 27th March 2006 at 11:23
The RNZAF operated the PV-1 Ventura during the Pacific War
By: warbird - 27th March 2006 at 10:00
What’s the twin tailed aircraft in the second picture? A Ventura?
Sander
By: mikey676 - 27th March 2006 at 07:36
yes got it this time..
Oh yes it does have wings, sitting aside, I believe until it sorted where it will go and when….
By: mikey676 - 27th March 2006 at 07:33
bl%@#%$@#%@# attachments, just sort it and eating dinner… who say males can’t multi task….
By: Moggy C - 27th March 2006 at 07:20
Er..
What arrived? :confused:
Moggy
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March 27, 2006 at 7:14 am