Skeeter XN341 For Sale

Welcome to the forum, CH.

Can you maybe expand on the engine photo you posted. 

It relates to Sleeters, presumably? 

They are relatively common, and not much use sadly

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But they can be very shiny

They are relatively common, and not much use sadly. They have more in common with the Queen than the usual 4 cylinder Major.

I didn’t think the Gypsy Major for a Skeeter could be converted for fixed wing use? If that is incorrect then I know of several in good condition that could be available?

According to the Historic Flight , Skeeter XL812 (G-SARO) was grounded in 2007 by the CAA (along with all Skeeters) due to issues with main rotor blade spar corrosion and time expired components.

What the time expired components are I am unsure

The Skeeter’s Civilian Permit to Fly was withdrawn by the CAA during the first quarter of 2005 following the publication of the findings of an MoD report into Ageing Aircraft in which Significant Structural Integrity issues were identified regarding shortfalls in the original fatigue substantiation of Skeeter transmission and rotables during the platform’s development resulting in substantially lower calculated Safe Lives for such components than those originally predicted by Saunders-Roe. The final nail in the coffin came with the discovery of significant pitting corrosion within the tubular steel main spars of a large sample of main rotor blades as part of the Structural Sampling Programme instigated to try and regain confidence in the aircraft’s Structural Integrity. Support for the Skeeter and its all-important Safety Case was formally withdrawn by the MoD 14 January 2008.

Lee

I gave one to a chappie here who is installing it into a Stampe rebuild. Have heard that it is now in and running

At the risk of a thread drift, every time I look at the HAFs spare Skeeter engine that is now on display at Middle Wallop I can’t help thinking what a Tiger Moth or a Chipmunk could do with a 215 hp. Fuel injected Gypsy Major

Are any of them restoreable to airworthy condition ?? Not that I need another project as I already have about 50 years worth stacked up and waiting their turn, but I have always had a “soft spot” for the Skeeter and also for the Bell 47 D, (the narrow bubble “wood winged” one)

Stan, were you to get a Skeeter I’m sure I wouldn’t be the only Kiwi enthusiast who would be over the moon! It would be great to see more vintage/veteran choppers in New Zealand.

According to the Historic Flight , Skeeter XL812 (G-SARO) was grounded in 2007 by the CAA (along with all Skeeters) due to issues with main rotor blade spar corrosion and time expired components.

What the time expired components are I am unsure

Here’s a long shot:
Any chance the Skeeters could be retrofitted with a rotor system off another type (say Hughes 300 since it has a three blade system) and flown as an “experimental” ship?
But then you’d probably have trouble mating the them to the transmission…and on it goes. Another reason why helicopters are neither simple or cheap. 🙂
You’d probably be better off making a new head, given the age of the design it can’t be too high-tech and with CAD-CAM and 3-D printing it’s certainly doable and might be somewhat cost effective. I could see it as a good project for students.
Whether the CAA would let it get off the ground is another matter.

At risk of thread drift have seen the Composite Helicopters machines and very impressed…but starting again from scratch to fatigue test the Skeeter rotor head to meet the CAA requirements is a big and expensive ask to just keep two/three examples flying.

Believe me they have plenty of Gee Wizz stuff as the helicopter is/ will be fully certified. For those lucky ones who have been to Oshkosh and/or Helipro etc they have had a couple of examples on show. Really well advanced designs.

Good news so the R-66 won’t have the market to itself (I have friends who swear by Robinsons…and those who swear at them).
Bell is coming out with a Jet Ranger replacement, the 5-seat Bell 505 “Jet Ranger X” powered by an entry-level turbine helicopter powered by a Turbomeca engine.
There is also the three-seat Scott’s Bell 47GT-6 powered by the RR300…ex Alison 250.

Here are some shots of the mockup showing the engine installation and a look at the new “Glass cockpit”…a vital bit since I’m told that replacement tachs for the 47 are no longer available.

Ah heli1. Composite Helicopters have designed, built and flown three development 5 seat helos already, (Powered by RR/Allison 350 turbines, ) and have the 4th one already on the way. Other than engine, all other parts including gearboxes, rotor head, blades and composite fuselage are manufactured here. Believe me they have plenty of Gee Wizz stuff as the helicopter is/ will be fully certified. For those lucky ones who have been to Oshkosh and/or Helipro etc they have had a couple of examples on show. Really well advanced designs.

Stan….the CAA needs a bit more than gee whiz stuff I’m afraid but if you’ve got the answer I’m sure the AAC Historic Flight would love to hear from you.

Heli1. Is that the rotor head or the blades? The firm next door to me are helicopter design and development and have all the design requirements , calculations and all that other “Gee Wizz” stuff on computer so could prove or disprove the life.

Yes…all Skeeters were grounded several years ago…including the AAC historic flight because of a lack of modern test proof of the integrity of the main rotor head.

Isn’t there an issue with all available Skeeter blades being out of life?

Are any of them restoreable to airworthy condition ?? Not that I need another project as I already have about 50 years worth stacked up and waiting their turn, but I have always had a “soft spot” for the Skeeter and also for the Bell 47 D, (the narrow bubble “wood winged” one)

Thunderbird167…..No …museum has complete aircraft plus boxes of spares,just dismantled in storage.