PL-11 Airtruck

[davidd]

Quite a substantial lump of aircraft, and appearance of wreck would seem to suggest that this crash might have been survivable with a little luck.
David D

[delticman]

The wrecked Airtruck at Te Kuiti is the first one, ZK-BPV. John Worthington survived that one.

[isc]

Just been reading a web site "Luigi Pellarini- an inovative aircraft designer"
qam.com.au/?wpfb_dl=6
One omission in the specs for the PL-11 is the ceiling, The PL-12 has 10500' as it's ceiling. isc

[Peter Lewis]

Stan Smith tells me that he has in his possession a set of PL-11 elevators.
Brand new, all ready to fit.
Possibly intended for the unbuilt third aircraft, or more likely made as spares.

If anybody needs them, the queue starts at his hangar door.

[airtruk]

Feb 9, 2018 8:44:48 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

Stan Smith tells me that he has in his possession a set of PL-11 elevators.
Brand new, all ready to fit.
Possibly intended for the unbuilt third aircraft, or more likely made as spares.

If anybody needs them, the queue starts at his hangar door.

Hi Peter I just send you PM.

[30sqnatc]

collection.pukeariki.com/objects?query=airtruck&limit=50 Collection of photos of Airtruck with loader truck

[johnnyfalcon]

ZK-BPV

[wombat]

Hi guys,
I have been amazed by the photos of the PL11. I knew Snow Bennett personally when he worked with me at Transavia on the PL12. Snow and Luigi Pellarini I met in 1964 when I started my apprenticeship with
Transavia as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. The factory was just starting up at the time so I was there from the beginning helping to make the jigs and tooling. I learnt a lot from Snow and Luigi. I still have some pictures around
of the PL12 on the day the first one (VH-TRN) rolled off the line including one of the first test flight. 

[wombat]

That is me inside the rear cabin

[airtruk]

Hi Wombat, would really like to hear more about those early days of Transavia and see the pictures of VH-TRN rolling off the production line at Seven Hill's. Have tried to find someone who was involved during that period for a very long time so I'll send you a private message. Thanks for sharing the great photo.

[worthington]

Hi,

I could possibly help with this.

May 25, 2008 8:23:01 GMT 12 fletcherfu24 said:

Last year the local paper did a story on John Worthington,he lives in the BOP and the story said he still had the original plans for the PL 11.No doubt a lot of photos also.

John Worthington would be the go to man for the PL-11 info.

[Dave Homewood]

From the Press, 26 August 1960

TAKE-OFF TESTS FOR N.Z. PLANE

Mass Production At Te Kuiti

“The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, August 24.

The Bennett Airtruck, the first aircraft commercially built in New Zealand, has successfully passed take-off tests at Ardmore Aerodrome. The tests were part of the exhaustive series the aircraft must pass to qualify for a certificate of airworthiness.

Looking like an awkward insect, the Airtruck—the largest aircraft ever built in New Zealand and the first to have an all-metal fuselage—was flown by Mr H. N. Johnstone, of Te Kuiti.

The machine, designed as a topdressing aircraft, could almost be classified as a high-wing monoplane but the 48-foot-long wing, while above the main body of the fuselage, is underneath the cockpit.

Its high wing loading cuts down take-off and landing distances. It can take off in about 50 yards and land in less than 150 yards.

The hopper will carry 1½ tons of fertiliser, loaded through a filler hole at the rear of the cockpit.

The Airtruck first flew on April 28, and since then has been in the air only eight hours. It should complete airworthiness tests early next month.

Meanwhile, the aircraft, brainchild of a noted Italian aircraft designer now living in Sydney, is being mass-produced. Already three more are under construction at the Te Kuiti airfield, where it is planned to build a factory capable of producing 50 Airtrucks in about five years. The planes, which will incorporate former Air Force Harvard engines, wheels, canopies, and instrument panels, will cost £12,000 each. The first cost £36,000.

Three Te Kuiti men—Messrs G. C. Bennett, J. C. Gardiner, and J. C. Worthington—are partners in the Airtruck venture.

[apteryx]

I've just visited the Te Kuiti Museum and Gallery, housed in the old post office in that town's main street. It's an excellent local museum run by volunteers.

It has an announcement that the museum is preparing an exhibit about the Airtruck. I'm sure that the museum folk would appreciate help from members of this forum with photos, exhibits or technical expertise.

Contacts are here: tekuitimuseum.nz/

[gibbo]

Coincidentally with this thread kicking back into life I just found out on Xmas eve that our neighbour's father was Richard Tatham, the pilot of the 2nd prototype ZK-CKE on 1 March 1967 when it crashed in the Maungakaramea, Northland area, killing Richard. aviation-safety.net/wikibase/62842

I haven't had a chance yet to chat to our neighbour in depth about what he might know and he's away at the mo but will do so (know them very well). I doubt he'll have much to add (esp. for the Te Kuiti Museum) as he mentioned he was only a few months old when his father was killed. He may however be interested to find out more himself about his father's aircraft & accident etc.