P40 ready to go.
The P40E for Claudio Coltri from Italy is now ready to go with the issuing of the C of A . Border restrictions may mean that first flight is still a little while away but last week test pilot Frank Parker to the opportunity of a small break in the fickle Spring weather to take her for a taxi around Ardmore.
Hangar Walk around.
Last week we were visited by Dave Homewood who did a small video and podcast on what is happening here at Pioneer Aero both now and looking forward. Hopefully the link to this is below if not you computer savy people can use the words below and do something with it.
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2021/07/wonz-239-pioneer-update/
Thanks to Dave for this and for all the assistance he has given to us and others over the years.
l
Garth Hogan
A bit of our history…“Go Fast or Go Home”…. The book
The original owner of Pioneer was Garth Hogan, who established the company in the mid 1990’s to complete the restoration of P40N1 “Currawong”, after the initial restoration company Pacific Aircraft folded. Subsequent to that further projects were undertaken, and the company grew to the world recognised establishment that it is, albeit now in the hands of Paul McSweeny and Steve Cox who acquired the company around 10 years ago.
The restoration of a WW2 warbird is a lot more involved than many people may realise, particularly as the years advance and the quality of the projects to start with diminish. To date very little has been documented as to exactly what is involved and the complexities of some of the issues from finding those rare parts through to having the various components rebuilt and certified to fly.
Another thing that hasn’t been documented is what is involved in getting to fly one of these birds particularly from the point of view of a relatively low hour PPL pilot.
Recently a book was released entitled Go Fast or Go Home which is a Biography of Garth’s life which apart from aviation involves a range of Motorsport activities and his business involvements, including of course the establishment of Pioneer Aero.
So, if you ever wanted to know what is involved in the restoration of a WW2 Warbird, how you get to fly one, and then taking it further to flying in formation, doing aerobatics, all at low level at air shows, this is a book you may well want to read. In addition to that it offers an insight into other aspects of the warbird’s world from how you get to fit and fire the real .50 cal Brownings including working with the authorities to get the OK to do so, and what it feels like when the trigger is pulled and the 6 of them cut loose, through to some behind the scenes stuff about running air shows.
These books are now available through Pioneer $50 apiece and as a special offer this includes Postage and Packaging.
Please email paul@pioneeraero.co.nz for details.
Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
Pioneer Aero are very proud to be asked by The Fighter Factory and Military Aviation Museum to carry out the restoration of the SBD-5 Dauntless B-22 Serial Number 36175. To be involved with this iconic aircraft is a big honour. We feel that the relationship that was forged between The Fighter Factory and Military Aviation Museum and Pioneer Aero Ltd with the restoration of the P-39 Airacobra was very positive and remains so to this day. This was demonstrated by Tom Kurtz III asking us if we wished to take on this restoration.
The SBD was the the principal American dive bomber from its introduction in 1940 through to its replacement by the SB2C Helldiver in mid 1944 and is best remembered for delivering the fatal blows to the four Japanese fleet carriers in the battle of Midway, June 1942. Perhaps lesser known is that in July 1943 No 25 Squadron RNZAF was formed at Seagrove flying SBD-3 aircraft obtained from the American Forces. The long abandoned RNZAF Station Seagrove is a short drive from our hangar at Ardmore , South Auckland.
Follow this journey as it unfolds.
July 2020 Update
The mating of the wings on the P40E has opened up the next list of tasks to be completed. Work has now started on the wing fillet fairings and continues on the original upper engine cowl and trunking, the rear seat conversion and the dummy gun fitment to mention just a few.
Work also continues on the fuselage for NZ3147 with good progress being made.
Jason has been busy in the paint shop, finishing the last little pieces for Lloyd Morris’s stunning RV7 and painting the fuselage, flight controls and fairings for David Wilkinson’s DR 107. Next job a visiting Warbird!
Wings on!
Yesterday was a significant day in the restoration of P40E S#41-13570 with the wings and fuselage being mated. A great way to mark the end of our Covid 19 lock down.
Thanks must go to the whole team for getting to this milestone, thanks also to Mark from On Call Cranes for his expertise with the lifting. Below are a few photos from yesterday more and lots of catch up photos will be posted to the project page over the next few days.
Urgent announcement.
Due to the rapidly evolving health alert in regard to Covid-19 Pioneer Aero regretfully has had to close it’s doors to all visitors as from today.
We hope you will respect this decision and why it has been made, we are keeping a close eye on what is happening and will inform you when we are back to being our usual inclusive selfs.
P39 Video takes off.
I have just heard from Allan Udy of the Historical Aviation Film Unit that the video he shot at Ardmore on the P39 has had over 630,000 views. This is a huge number and shows peoples fascination with this rare aircraft.
For those of you that missed it or need a refresh the link is below.
Award.
Last Friday we were honoured to receive an award from the New Zealand Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The award recognises the work done by the entire team at Pioneer Aero for their work on the Bell P39 Airacobra aircraft for Jerry Yagen and other historically significant aircraft. We would like to thank the Royal Aeronautical Society for this award and again acknowledge our great team here and their contribution.
