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Post by Barnsey on Apr 29, 2017 14:50:22 GMT 12
Wackett A3-167 - The original donor aircraft *of side panel* (going by the serial number inside the side panel)  A3-167 type CA-6 c/n 401 Offered for sale by CDC at CMU Narrandera on 01/10/45 with Engine 2387. Sold to RNAC for 250 Pounds 10/45. Registered VH-AGP 16/01/46 to 06/08/51. Withdrawn from use 19/12/50. Registered VH-AGP 05/12/52 to 09/03/60. Withdrawn from use. (taken from www.adf-serials.com.au/2a3.htm) |
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Post by craig on Apr 29, 2017 17:37:42 GMT 12
Cheers Barnsey. You can see why Dave didn't realize the 2 aircraft are related. They look nothing alike.  (Photo credit Ray Deerness) |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2017 20:12:16 GMT 12
Always excited to see updates on this. Will it have a hopper in it when completed?
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Post by craig on Apr 30, 2017 7:39:12 GMT 12
No it didn't come with one. Putting a forward facing 2nd seat in its place just like the Wackett had.
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Post by craig on Apr 30, 2017 7:50:09 GMT 12
Re the previous Wackett history of ZK CTX. Based on the fuse ID bracelet which luckily was still attached to the frame. The frame most likely (though this can not be absolutely confirmed) belonged to Wackett A3-119 (VH AFB). This information was kindly provided by Mark Pilkington. Note the side panel above (ex A3-167) has never previously been fitted to CTX.
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Post by craig on Apr 30, 2017 9:10:05 GMT 12
Possibly CTX in a previous life???  |
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Post by madmax on Apr 30, 2017 16:03:11 GMT 12
Wackett A3-119 was struck of charge and sold to Geoffery Collins, Victoria in October 1945 and registered VH-AFB. In 1949 it changed hands to Australia National Airways flying club and a year later to the Aircraft Industry flying club. About 1955 it was withdrawn from use and scrapped and as late as 1966 the remains were laying beside a hangar at Ararat airfield Vic. So it does not appear that this was the airframe used to construct ZK-CTX
A couple of interesting facts regarding Wackett/Cropmasters. Much of the transitional development work was undertaken by a New Zealand engineer Bill Smith who became a director and major shareholder of the company. It was Smith who named the aircraft "Cropmaster" after a popular David Brown tractor of the day.
Following the failure of Australian aircraft to induce the government to impose tariffs on imported aircraft and the collapse of Victa and Yeoman companies, moves were made to build Cropmasters in California by Cameron-Grey Aircraft Co and in 1966 two airframes plus other components were shipped to the US to begin production but nothing more came of the deal.
An article detailing Wacket/Cropmaster development appeared in NZ Aviation News about year ogo
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Post by craig on May 1, 2017 7:07:48 GMT 12
You may be correct
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Post by craig on May 11, 2017 6:52:14 GMT 12
Heres a better shot of the fuse ribs without the skins attached. All the skins are now complete and were just removed for interior painting.  Theres alot more work involved getting those ribs right than you may think, but very happy with the end result and the skins sit perfectly. |
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Post by craig on May 11, 2017 7:59:44 GMT 12
That brings to a close all the major structural restoration (except for ailerons which I am still working through options)
Over the winter lots to keep me busy. Fit tail plane assembly, fit rudder to fin, run control cables, repair fiber glass panels, finish canopy, repair 2nd seat and redo upholstery, finish fuel tanks, prepare and assemble undercarriage, form new r/h wing tip using l/h as reference, repair and trial fit cowling. Just to name a few major bits off the top of my head. Ideally if I can achieve all (most) of this over the winter we will be in a position for fuse to wing final assembly before Xmas.
Then who knows how long for final fit. Hopefully flying sometime mid 2018.......
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Post by Mustang51 on May 11, 2017 9:12:05 GMT 12
Craig, You remember the aircraft restorer's Psalm..."When its 90% finished there's still 90% to go..."
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2017 9:28:35 GMT 12
Or, "when the weight of the paperwork equals the weight of the aircraft you're ready to fly" ;-)
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Post by craig on May 11, 2017 15:32:27 GMT 12
Craig, You remember the aircraft restorer's Psalm..."When its 90% finished there's still 90% to go..." Yes I have heard this too. But trying to ignore it as not exactly motivating information  . Ready for the end now.... |
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Post by Mustang51 on May 11, 2017 16:54:57 GMT 12
Then you can come over this side of the Ditch and help me with my Birdog.....
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Post by craig on May 11, 2017 17:46:32 GMT 12
Um...... how much fuel would the Croppie need to get across the ditch and if I got it there would you Aussies ever let it leave?  |
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Post by craig on May 24, 2017 11:33:03 GMT 12
If anyone out there knows where I might obtain a Hartzell prop HC-C2YK-1BF with F8477-2 blades please PM me. This is the same prop as on the 260 hp cherokee 6 and often have been replaced with a 3 blade unit leaving the old 2 blade redundant.
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Post by johnm on May 24, 2017 15:22:32 GMT 12
look pristine to me Craig
you and all .......... should be proud of your efforts
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Post by craig on Jul 9, 2017 9:18:06 GMT 12
Looks like this my be my last chance to upload a photo. Fin and rudder trial fit.  |
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Post by Mustang51 on Jul 9, 2017 10:24:50 GMT 12
Nice. Its always satisfying to be able to start putting bits back on. Unfortunately I am not at that stage as yet.
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Post by craig on Jul 9, 2017 11:33:17 GMT 12
My work area is next to the smoko room, so it gets a fair bit of thru traffic.... People are making comments regarding the number of times it starts to take shape then suddenly reverts back. Seemingly this is causing some frustration!!!! Ideally I would like to keep the fuse as light as possible as this will make wing fitment much simpler. Still it helps my morale to see bits come together occasionally.
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. Ready for the end now....