|
Post by harrysone on May 23, 2014 10:07:00 GMT 12
The access to the nose turret area in flight is pretty dreadful anyway, there is just a small crawlspace between the pilots & you have to clamber over the bulged nose wheel bulkhead (in the floor) & avoid being gutted by the auxiliary hydraulic leaver on the co-pilots side...not a good prospect for passengers to be doing on commercial ops!
The nose gear bay area fills up with water anyway (its always awash), the problems that have occured are due to the fact that the doors are in the worst place (underside of the bow) for (wave) impact loadings. When flying Catalina amphibians, the tendency is to land nose high (higher than what you would do with a pure flying boat version)and this attitude is absolutely critical. The aircraft that have come to grief were using the wrong landing technique at the time & the failures that occured were actually in the torque tubes supporting the doors.
|
|
|
Post by harrysone on Feb 15, 2016 10:59:26 GMT 12
ZK-PBY is close to flying again. I have no pictures yet but 'PBY is apparently fully assembled and has had an engine run. The props are currently off to get a seal repaired & then get inspected. She'll then be weighed and finally she will be ready for test flights probably somewhere between now and the end of the month.
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Feb 15, 2016 11:10:03 GMT 12
Fanastic news! Thanks for sharing, Harry - I'll advise my mate who lives near the airport to keep an ear out.
|
|
|
Post by harrysone on Feb 15, 2016 12:01:53 GMT 12
all we need are progress photos of the work, unfortunately our NP mob are 'a bit off the mark' when it comes to publicity
|
|
|
Post by thebrads on Feb 15, 2016 12:20:40 GMT 12
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to seeing her again. Hope she makes it to Wanaka with no issues.
|
|
|
Post by harrysone on Feb 16, 2016 13:38:02 GMT 12
Hi all, I have been able to get some photos (with some difficulty!) of the work undertaken on 'PBY as of last week. As you can see the wings, trailing edges (re fabriced), float attachments and floats have all been repaired, re-assembled and repainted. The props are off for repair and re-balancing (checked locally by Greg Ryan). I'm informed that the SQN markings are next followed by weighing and test flying. It is hoped by next weekend (27th-28th) the aircraft will be flying in time for crew training lined up for that weekend. I've been asked by those that supplied the photos, if you feel inclined to 'dig deep' into your pockets we have a number of loans and expenses from the overhaul that need to be financed to get 'PBY back into the air again (to date costs are running at Circa $400,000.00 & much has been financed by society members). Don't forget that we are a charitable trust and all donations are eligible for tax deductions. Tell your friends and loved ones too ! Alternatively you can join the organisation and perhaps join the crew : *Full Membership: This entails a joining fee of NZ$1000, plus on-goings of NZ$30 per month. *Associate Membership: Costing NZ$50 per annum, this enables a member to participate in all society activities but with the exception that the member will not be eligible to vote at meetings, hold office or become aircrew. Aircrew eligibility requires full membership to the NZCPS www.nzcatalina.org.nz
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Feb 16, 2016 14:30:30 GMT 12
She looks great! Thanks for sharing the photos, Harry.
|
|
|
Post by harrysone on Feb 16, 2016 15:12:27 GMT 12
She looks similar to before, just a little more glossy
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 16, 2016 17:39:19 GMT 12
Thanks very much for the photos Harry.
|
|
|
Post by 11SQNLDR on Feb 16, 2016 23:58:08 GMT 12
Thanks for the photos Harry, she looks great and it will be a real pleasure seeing this beauty back in NZ skies Hats off to the amazing group of dedicated enthusiasts who've gotten behind this restoration.
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Feb 17, 2016 7:23:52 GMT 12
My NP friend is standing by, ready to txt me with news of the return to flight!
|
|
|
Post by baz62 on Feb 17, 2016 16:10:37 GMT 12
She is looking smart Harry! Who did you get for the fabric work in the end?
|
|
|
Post by Richard Wesley on Feb 17, 2016 19:37:00 GMT 12
Wonderful to see the fantastic progress. It will be amazing to see her back in the sky. I can recommend a trip on her to anyone, worth every cent.
|
|
|
Post by harrysone on Feb 17, 2016 20:36:48 GMT 12
I'm not sure who did the fabric in the end, but I can find out, there are older pictures on the website (yet to be updated as the webmaster is away this week) that show the fabricing being done. Do you guys want to start a bit of a Proboards fund? to perhaps help pay towards a $4K prop refurbishment? I'll personally put in another $500 to help push things along, but every $ counts folks, (no matter how small) to get to see your favorite flying boat return to the skies There is a PayPal Donate button on the website: www.nzcatalina.org.nz
|
|
|
Post by ErrolC on Feb 24, 2016 10:31:46 GMT 12
Return to Flight scheduled for Friday
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 24, 2016 11:09:19 GMT 12
It's looking sharp!
It'll be good when they get the RNZAF markings back on her (hopefully).
|
|
|
Post by harrysone on Feb 24, 2016 16:10:49 GMT 12
another pic
|
|
|
Post by Ian Warren on Feb 25, 2016 10:20:30 GMT 12
That is looking very pretty !
|
|
WayneB
Warrant Officer
Posts: 41
|
Post by WayneB on Feb 26, 2016 11:43:15 GMT 12
Best wishes for test the flights. My son is farming where the old Bell Block airfield used to be about 3 Kms from the airport and is keeping me updated.
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Feb 26, 2016 13:17:01 GMT 12
I told my "spy" in Lepperton - he's always telling me about the comings-and-goings - but I've heard nothing yet. Lovely blue skies in the Naki, too.
|
|