Post by ZacYates on Dec 24, 2009 15:09:32 GMT 12
Hi all,
I've been really hesitant to post anything about this until it was underway, but I guess now is as good a time as any.
You may recall that some time ago I posted a walkaround - of sorts - of Fletcher FU24 s/n87 ZK-CBG:
ZK-CBG Whanganui Zac Yates 150309 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
This machine has been in New Zealand for some time, having been registered in 1961. It flew with James Aviation for some time, going to a few independents and then ending up at Palmerston North. By late 1998 it was falling into disrepair and was no longer airworthy, so Wanganui Aero Work acquired the airframe for spares. A team of WAW engineers led by Eddie Bleackley arrived at NZPN in early September 98 with a couple of trucks and set about returning to Wanganui with their prize. Over time various parts were removed from ZK-CBG to support WAW's existing fleet of working Fletchers, and it wasn't long before CBG was reduced to a gutted fuselage and centre-wing section left in the elements.
393199_167620220002323_1010473697_n by Zac Yates, on Flickr
After some time, Richmond Harding (said Fletcher's owner) and I have come to an agreement whereby I am now the owner of Fletcher ZK-CBG. Rather exciting, wouldn't you say? My plan at the moment is to amass a collection of parts and restore the aircraft to static condition for display at some point.
ZK-CBG was one of the first batch of 100 produced by Fletcher at Rosemead, Ca, and still has its original Fletcher Aviation Company-embossed rudder pedals:
ZK-CBG Whanganui Zac Yates 150309 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
With any restoration project recovery is generally the first step, and this one is no exception. Today being only a half-day (and also our last working day for the year) Alan from the truck shop was happy to man the Matbro all-terrain forklift and bring the remains of CBG from its overgrown resting place back to civilisation.
My thanks to Eddie Bleackley for taking photos of the recovery, much appreciated
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 2 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 3 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 4 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
With the fuse sitting on some tyres and the wing horizontal again, stage one of Operation: Fletcher Recovery was complete, and Zac "Fletch" Yates was well pleased.
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 5 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
The next plan is to move the airframe and miscellaneous parts I've collected to a secure storage facility undercover, somewhere in Wanganui. But for the time being she sits near the Hill Country Helicopters hangar, not far from the Wanganui Aero Work complex.
As you can understand, I've been rather excited about this wee project. I still have a LOT of parts to get and some major work ahead of me, but for now I'm just thankful she's easier to get to. Thanks to Eddie I have CBG's left-hand instrument panel, which has been fitted with some "scrap" items:
And I have almost a full compliment of main panel instruments, a panel to mount them, and a left-hand panel:
Panel 290309 Zac Yates 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Panel 290309 Zac Yates 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
I've made a right-hand panel but if I find an original, I will use that instead.
Over the two-week Christmas break I'll work away at the skin corrosion....and there's a fair amount!.....so at least I'll have something to do whilst nursing my hangovers!
As always, comments are appreciated. Merry Christmas forumites!
I've been really hesitant to post anything about this until it was underway, but I guess now is as good a time as any.
You may recall that some time ago I posted a walkaround - of sorts - of Fletcher FU24 s/n87 ZK-CBG:
ZK-CBG Whanganui Zac Yates 150309 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
This machine has been in New Zealand for some time, having been registered in 1961. It flew with James Aviation for some time, going to a few independents and then ending up at Palmerston North. By late 1998 it was falling into disrepair and was no longer airworthy, so Wanganui Aero Work acquired the airframe for spares. A team of WAW engineers led by Eddie Bleackley arrived at NZPN in early September 98 with a couple of trucks and set about returning to Wanganui with their prize. Over time various parts were removed from ZK-CBG to support WAW's existing fleet of working Fletchers, and it wasn't long before CBG was reduced to a gutted fuselage and centre-wing section left in the elements.
393199_167620220002323_1010473697_n by Zac Yates, on Flickr
After some time, Richmond Harding (said Fletcher's owner) and I have come to an agreement whereby I am now the owner of Fletcher ZK-CBG. Rather exciting, wouldn't you say? My plan at the moment is to amass a collection of parts and restore the aircraft to static condition for display at some point.
ZK-CBG was one of the first batch of 100 produced by Fletcher at Rosemead, Ca, and still has its original Fletcher Aviation Company-embossed rudder pedals:
ZK-CBG Whanganui Zac Yates 150309 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
With any restoration project recovery is generally the first step, and this one is no exception. Today being only a half-day (and also our last working day for the year) Alan from the truck shop was happy to man the Matbro all-terrain forklift and bring the remains of CBG from its overgrown resting place back to civilisation.
My thanks to Eddie Bleackley for taking photos of the recovery, much appreciated
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 2 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 3 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 4 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
With the fuse sitting on some tyres and the wing horizontal again, stage one of Operation: Fletcher Recovery was complete, and Zac "Fletch" Yates was well pleased.
ZK-CBG Whanganui 241209 EJ Bleackley 5 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
The next plan is to move the airframe and miscellaneous parts I've collected to a secure storage facility undercover, somewhere in Wanganui. But for the time being she sits near the Hill Country Helicopters hangar, not far from the Wanganui Aero Work complex.
As you can understand, I've been rather excited about this wee project. I still have a LOT of parts to get and some major work ahead of me, but for now I'm just thankful she's easier to get to. Thanks to Eddie I have CBG's left-hand instrument panel, which has been fitted with some "scrap" items:
And I have almost a full compliment of main panel instruments, a panel to mount them, and a left-hand panel:
Panel 290309 Zac Yates 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Panel 290309 Zac Yates 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
I've made a right-hand panel but if I find an original, I will use that instead.
Over the two-week Christmas break I'll work away at the skin corrosion....and there's a fair amount!.....so at least I'll have something to do whilst nursing my hangovers!
As always, comments are appreciated. Merry Christmas forumites!