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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 24, 2006 19:27:55 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 24, 2006 19:31:01 GMT 12
Here are two more, undated but later. Robertson's Air Service ZK-BSM "11" and ZK-DHE "8"   |
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Post by Bruce on Jan 24, 2006 20:05:11 GMT 12
These pictures are actually quite interesting to GA enthusisats like myself. CLM is an early continental powered machine, with the original small hopper and early wing tip fairings. This has the entry to the loader drivers jump seat (utility locker) well forward and on the RH side - which is a surprise as most early fletchers had it further aft, just above the wing trailing edge on the LH side - this is quite an odd configuration! Adastra was the James avaition franchise based at Tauranga, the photos are taken outside the Aerospace / James complex at Hamilton. The position of the cockpit first aid kit indicates this was a single control variant, with pilot sitting centrally. Note the thrust augmentor exhausts and integral lower cowl on the Continental powered machines (either 260 or 300 hp - its hard to tell which from outside).
The Robertson pics bring back a few memories and were probably taken in the early 1980s. I had a school trip to the airport and sat in a Robertson Fletcher when I would have been about 7. The distinctive colours were instantly identifiable when they flew over early every morning.
Of interest BSM is Continental powered, whereas DHE has been converted to 400hp lycoming power, making it a 950M (Straight -950s were new build machines, and -954s had larger rear doors and large rear compartment windows) The deeper two piece cowl and three blade prop give that away. It may be possible to find out when it was converted to give an idea of the photo date.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 24, 2006 20:23:54 GMT 12
I'm glad someone found them of interest. It was well worth the effort scanning and posting. I have more treasures to come from his collection but not just yet.
The configuration may be because the aircraft was rebuilt in 1965 from ZK-BIG and several other aircraft's bits, according to a site I found when i googled the registration. I wonder if any of these three are still around.
Dad most likely went along to NZAI with Pat Monk, our then-neighbour and the then-Chief Designer at NZAI (designer of the Airtrainer and Cresco). I have photos coming from another trip Dad muct have taken with Pat to Rukuhia too, but more interesting...
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Post by turboNZ on Jan 24, 2006 21:45:30 GMT 12
Definitely not rival a Spitfire for beauty.... ;D ;D
I always thought that Cresco's were just a turbine powered Fletcher, but apparently they have virtually nothing interchangeable.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 24, 2006 22:02:09 GMT 12
No, the Cresco was virtually a whole new design, based around principles learned from the Fletcher and Turbo Fletcher. The same goes for the Airtrainer, it's quite different from its predecessors, though not as markedly as the Fletcher/Cresco is.
It's only now I really wish I'd talked with Pat Monk more about his own designs. A truly fascinating man. He was like a Grandad to us, he and his wife Joyce were always invited to our family parties or Christmas do's, etc, as were we to their's. Really close. Unusual for neighbours. But he and Dad had lots in common with their aeronautical interests. And he taught me loads over the years. Amazing man, he knew so much. He'd worked on Concorde, Miles M-52, Boeing designs, hovercrafts, airships, rockets at Woomera... all sorts. He had an incredible mind and memory, and could teach you about any subject you asked, he just knew it. Sadly now he's in a rest home in the Isle of Man with Parkinsons disease and doesn't remember what day it is. Terrible loss. He is one of my heroes.
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Post by agalbraith on Jan 25, 2006 20:17:46 GMT 12
Wow!
Great photo's Dave, I do love the Fletchers/Cresco's etc.
I am planning down the track to scratchbuild one in 48th scale.
Did he ever have fuse & wing cross sections in his plans?
Anyway thanks for posting those great pics. I always love Topdresser pics.
Cheers
Anthony
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 25, 2006 20:42:16 GMT 12
Dad no doubt did have all you need to scratchbuild a model in any size, and a lot of data he got from Pat. I will have to see if Mum has not given away the Fletcher stuff. She did disperse a number of models and other items to Dad's better friends in modelling circles since his death in July, but you may be lucky. I'll ask her tomorrow. If I find anything (and believe me finding anythign even if it is there is a mission!) I;ll let you know.
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Post by agalbraith on Jan 26, 2006 21:59:47 GMT 12
Thanks Dave
That is very kind, I really appreciate it.
Cheers
Anthony
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Post by faafaalingalong on Mar 7, 2006 11:56:58 GMT 12
I actually flew CLM dual control Fletcher in Taupo in the early sixties with Rusty Nairn.
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Post by faafaalingalonga on Mar 7, 2006 12:01:53 GMT 12
Those days it was painted in the Adastra blue and white colours before the business was sold to Ozzy James
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2006 13:07:01 GMT 12
Was the Adastra in NZ in those days connected to the Adastra in Australia that flew, among other things, Hudsons? Or were they unconnected?
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Post by faafaalingalonga on Mar 7, 2006 13:14:26 GMT 12
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Post by faafaalingalonga on Mar 7, 2006 13:19:14 GMT 12
Those photos of CLM you have look like they were taken near Alf Colemans old place AESL?
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Post by faafaalingalonga on Mar 7, 2006 13:28:23 GMT 12
Bruce
When I flew CLM it was dual control 260 HP.It was originally built from all kinds of bits.
The first aid kit sat in the centre between the pilots/pax head.The loader was quite spoiled and rode to and from work in the cockpit.I understand James continued to use it in the dual control role for training.
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Post by Deane B on Feb 14, 2015 23:22:16 GMT 12
The Robertson pics bring back a few memories and were probably taken in the early 1980s. I had a school trip to the airport and sat in a Robertson Fletcher when I would have been about 7. The distinctive colours were instantly identifiable when they flew over early every morning. Of interest BSM is Continental powered, whereas DHE has been converted to 400hp lycoming power, making it a 950M (Straight -950s were new build machines, and -954s had larger rear doors and large rear compartment windows) The deeper two piece cowl and three blade prop give that away. It may be possible to find out when it was converted to give an idea of the photo date. Just re-found this thread and can now narrow down the date range. DHE was built as a 950 and registered in Feb 1972. BSM was converted to 950M in March 1978. Assuming both photos were taken on same day it was between '72 and '78. |
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Post by The Red Baron on Feb 16, 2015 13:10:23 GMT 12
You can narrow that down a bit as November 1976 BSM's tail fell off and it had a big whoopsie.Guessing it was rebuilt over the next couple of years and came out as a 400hp.
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Post by Mr Cresco on Jun 25, 2015 17:32:31 GMT 12
Does anybody have videos of LTR flown by Bernie Haskell at airshows at Masterton, Hobsonville or the Australian Bicentennial Airshows? Cheers
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but it was rebuilt!). He had hoped to build himself one and drew up plans, etc, but then got cancer so it was not to be. However this shows how long his passion for the type ran, as the photos are dated on the back by the printer as 16th of Feb 1973.
but it was rebuilt!). He had hoped to build himself one and drew up plans, etc, but then got cancer so it was not to be. However this shows how long his passion for the type ran, as the photos are dated on the back by the printer as 16th of Feb 1973.
