pa18
Warrant Officer
Posts: 37 
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Post by pa18 on Feb 26, 2008 12:31:31 GMT 12
Thanks Bruce
Im about 50 years too old for this forum methinks
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fadge
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by fadge on May 3, 2012 18:45:40 GMT 12
Not long after Super Air took over Robertsons the hangar burned to the ground and took a number of Fletchers with it. Theres one more Robertson Fletcher too....the unassembled FU-24-954, serial #287,which was later traded with PAC after the Super Air take over and became briefly ZK-FTT.Presumably it was never painted in RAS colours and never numbered. This has always intrigued me why did Robertsons buy a brand new plane when at the time they were retrenching heavily from a big fleet down to only 2 operational planes when Super Air was formed.They must have had unused Fletchers parked from one end on Hamilton airport to the other by they time they sold out in the mid '80s,so why would you buy a brand new aircraft when you had planes for Africa to spare?,anyone know the reason?. The unassembled 954 was to replace EUE which had been written off. |
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Post by eieio on May 4, 2012 12:48:47 GMT 12
They must have had unused Fletchers parked from one end on Hamilton airport to the other by they time they sold out in the mid '80s,.
1983 or 84 I saw 6 james fuse' sitting on their bellies in the big hangar along with a mix of aircraft on maintenance.
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Post by fu24lover on May 4, 2012 20:36:33 GMT 12
Is Stewey White still in good health? Was talking to Stu a couple of months ago..I can assure you he's in good health.... He and Sheryll live in a town on the east coast of the Coromandel and he has a large lawn mowing round that keeps him busy.  |
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Post by rcmodeller on Jan 13, 2013 21:40:07 GMT 12
Hey out there
Can anyone give me an idea of what shade of yellow was used on the Robertson Fletchers? I am in the process of building a 1/7th scale model of Fletcher 1160 BHQ. I have not been able to find a colour picture of any Robertson aircraft to get an idea of the colour.
Thanks
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 13, 2013 22:32:04 GMT 12
Here's a couple my Dad took in the olden days. Robertson's Air Service ZK-BSM "11" and ZK-DHE "8"   |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2013 13:20:30 GMT 12
That's some model idea! I look forward to seeing it!
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Post by fu24lover on Jan 14, 2013 13:31:51 GMT 12
Ah.... the days of the big covers. There was a technique to putting them on in the wind by yourself.... And rcmodeller, if your anywhere near the Tauranga airport museum call in and ask for Ray H.[he still spends a bit of time there messing with old planes] He did most of the painting on RAS fletchers way back then, including the 2 garretts..... |
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Post by rcmodeller on Jan 14, 2013 23:31:37 GMT 12
Thanks you guys you're awesome!
Dave your Dad is/was clearly a dab hand with the camera, and I extend my sincere thanks and compliments.
Looks like I might get away with using silver solafilm on the wings, which are nearly done. Then starts the process of making a mould for the nose. Just hoping a canopy will surface soon then I have no choice about completing it
With electric power a 300, or 954 just didn't seem right. The 1160 & 1284 seem to have easier to shape cowlings so I get a legal short cut to what should be a unique model, plus the dual wheels make it look more business like. Sadly I dont have the funds to emulate the 1/4 scale turbine machine on youtube
Thanks again for the leads & Ray H will be called upon next time I'm in Tga
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fadge
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by fadge on Jan 15, 2013 17:51:15 GMT 12
Thanks you guys you're awesome! Dave your Dad is/was clearly a dab hand with the camera, and I extend my sincere thanks and compliments. Looks like I might get away with using silver solafilm on the wings, which are nearly done. Then starts the process of making a mould for the nose. Just hoping a canopy will surface soon then I have no choice about completing it With electric power a 300, or 954 just didn't seem right. The 1160 & 1284 seem to have easier to shape cowlings so I get a legal short cut to what should be a unique model, plus the dual wheels make it look more business like. Sadly I dont have the funds to emulate the 1/4 scale turbine machine on youtube Thanks again for the leads & Ray H will be called upon next time I'm in Tga Make sure you extend the fuselage, too! On the full sized job, there is an 18" plug just behind the cockpit. |
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Post by The Red Baron on Jan 17, 2013 11:50:59 GMT 12
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Post by rcmodeller on Jan 17, 2013 23:01:44 GMT 12
Red Baron, Thanks for that. Was there some varience in the colour schemes? As I was under the impression that BHQ as a garret aircraft was painted in black,silver & yellow.
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Post by fu24lover on Jan 18, 2013 5:23:17 GMT 12
They were never actually painted black...The colour was a dark green that seemed to go black after it weathered. In later years a lighter shade of green was tried,as seen in Pete's 400. |
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Post by thomarse on Jan 18, 2013 21:25:51 GMT 12
RB
Is that shot of BHQ at Fenton St? Can you read the pilot's name?
Cheers
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fadge
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by fadge on Jan 18, 2013 23:21:07 GMT 12
RB Is that shot of BHQ at Fenton St? Can you read the pilot's name? Cheers Ray Laurent. |
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Post by thomarse on Jan 23, 2013 19:45:30 GMT 12
Thanks Fadge!
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Post by mrbpnbhs on Aug 13, 2013 20:55:11 GMT 12
I well remember Otto Gram and Chris Payne working our property in the Kirikau Valley downriver from Taumarunui in the 1970s. They flew off the Duncan airstrip at the head of the valley at around 2000ft.
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Post by suthg on Aug 13, 2013 21:06:59 GMT 12
That would take a bit of effort to get the fertiliser there! A bit of a climb for a truck and trailer unit...!
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Post by mrbpnbhs on Aug 14, 2013 13:46:30 GMT 12
Yep a hell of a climb especially the last 200m. I went up there once with Martin Tate in his Bedford but I'm pretty sure there was no trailer - think it was all done without them. Access was the reason it was closed finally I think
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Post by wedgefield6 on Sept 27, 2014 20:53:52 GMT 12
Enquiring - I met a Brent Robertson in WA 2 years ago. He told me he was the son of the founder of Robertson Air and spent many a time as a little one in fletchers - an interesting man but had no interest to follow in his Fathers footsteps. I've lost contact unfortunately otherwise am sure he would be a mine of information re his Father's business. Does anyone know any of the family?
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