September Update.
Coming up to the end of another busy month. Check out the new photos in the Bearhawk, P40-E and Titan pages.
Garry Rasmussen is currently working away on his Bearhawk wings and is making good progress, the fuel system (wing wise) is now pretty much sorted and this morning he has finalised the pitot system from wing root to the head.
Work continues on the P40-E fuselage with the first of the frames getting fitted to the fixture.
The T51 has this month had a set of inner gear doors and modified uplocks fitted and these operate in the same fashion as the originals. This set up for the T51 has been designed and built in New Zealand by Warren Sly.
The two Strikemasters continue to sit in the hangar awaiting the manufacture of a couple of vital parts, which is happening now so the 2 ship is moving closer.
Kittyhawk CAG has had the 100hr annual started and in conjunction with this is having a fresh engine fitted so the prop and current engine will come off next week.
2013 Annual servicing and engine change.
P40-E fuselage frames on fixture, Bearhawk wings in the background.
Strikemaster 72.
Last week it was out with the old engine and this week it is in with the new. Pity back in the day we didn’t have magicians with remote-controlled Hiabs and had to make do with the Galleon or pity help us Coles crane. I do recall an engine sitting outside AMS at Ohakea overnight slung underneath a crane which had broken down.
New engine in place
Bleriot replica.
Last week we picked up this intriguing Bleriot replica. All complete except for the wings (there are plans for those) a quick kick of the tyres and check of the fluids before kicking it into life and taxing it around the apron. After over 4 years of inactivity it started well and ran like the proverbial “Swiss watch”
Some here got in to theme just a little too much for comfort.
Bleriot Model K.replica.
The intrepid aviator.
Bearhawk update.
Marty’s conversion on Garry from pilot to engineer continues. Garry is now at the stage were he can be trusted with sharp objects such as drills and countersink tooling. He has also managed thus far at least to keep his fingers out of the way of the pnuematic squeeze riveter.
Riveting anchor nuts for the aux fuel tank panel on wing two.
Prime at 9.30 Tonight.
For those of you that are interested the 60 minutes team tonight on Prime TV at 9.35
Tonight on 60 Minutes, the NZ Navy’s elite dive team gives us unprecedented insight into their operations, including the mission to recover the bodies of 2Degrees boss Eric Hertz and his wife Kathy.
Campbell Live tonight.
I have just heard from Lachlan Forsyth from TV3 our Tempest story is set to run tonight. TV3 7.00pm.
Link to the article below.
TV3’s Lachlan Forsyth filming for Campbell live.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Saving-one-of-the-great-fighters/tabid/367/articleID/306516/Default.aspx
New wing delivered.
Yesterday we were proud to deliver a complete rear wing to Andrew Higgins to fit to the Lola T400 he will be driving in this years New Zealand F5000 Tasman cup revival series. The old wing was damaged beyond repair so using the old wing and period photos Pioneer Aero built an original spec delta rear wing. We wish Andrew well in this years series and will be watching with interest when he takes it to the Aussies in the first 2 rounds of their series in Sydney in late August and Melbourne in early September.
Lola T400 rear delta internals
Lola T400 rear delta complete.
July Update
Assembly on Strikemaster 72 has stalled momentarily while we await the arrival of parts and also carry out the annual on Strikemaster 70. As well as the annual 70 has had the wings removed and all of the NDT inspections carried out, I am pleased to say no defects were found. Staying with the Strikemaster theme I have just spoken to Brian Hall from Christchurch who tells me that ZK-VPR has completed its test flying in the very capable hands of Dave Brown and a non terminating CA of A is now being applied for. Pioneer Aero is pleased to have been associated with this aircraft in both and advisory and hands on capacity since it’s arrival in New Zealand.
We also continue to assist in the rebuild to flying of Ross Pay’s Australian based Spitfire http://paysspitfire.blogspot.com.au/
Spitfire lower fuselage fuel tank components.
The other projects in the shop all continue to make progress, the Suzuki powered T51, the as yet unpowered Bearhawk, the P40 fuselage, more about these shortly.
Pays Spitfire Mk IX MH603
We are very pleased to be associated with the rebuild of this iconic aircraft, located at Pays Air Service base in Scone New South Wales, Australia. Pioneer Aero is currently restoring and in some cases remanufacturing components for the rebuild.
For more information on this aircraft visit http://paysspitfire.blogspot.com.au/
Spitfire forward lower fuel tank under construction.
Tempest Syndicate.
Before the accident that claimed the lives of Eric and Kathy Hertz it was their dream to restore to flying Tempest MW376. One of the prime motivators for this dream was the opportunity to honour the New Zealanders who flew with 486 Squadron in the Typhoon and Tempest aircraft.
Pioneer Aero is now working with some New Zealand based individuals who are keen to form a syndicate to ensure that the dream that Eric and Kathy had can be bought to reality, here, in New Zealand. To help us spread the word we will be putting advertisements in some of the local aviation magazines, Dave Homewood has also put the news on his excellent site, link below
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/19472/tempest-sale-syndicate-sought-help
TV3’s Campbell live were also in the hangar yesterday filming for an item on the Tempest that will hopefully air next week.
If you or anyone you know has interest in a possible syndicate please contact paul@pioneeraero.co.nz 09 296 8913.
TV3’s Lachlan Forsyth filming for Campbell live.