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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 7, 2012 8:59:07 GMT 12
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 7, 2012 9:03:28 GMT 12
What is meant by 'fish drop trials'? I'm no angler, but I think there was a project to air drop trout fingerlings into the newly created hyro lakes on the Waikato River. ZK-BDS - F/fUSA 14Jun54. F/fNZ 24Sep54. Began commercial ops 20Dec54. Open cockpit replaced July56. |
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Post by baz62 on Nov 7, 2012 11:48:28 GMT 12
Whats the wing with the US Star and Bar? Spare C47 wing? Lodestar? Its also visible when you see the fuselage of the Fletcher inside the hangar. Actually don't think its a C47 wing as they don't have cutouts for the flaps. |
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Post by Bruce on Nov 7, 2012 11:58:45 GMT 12
Love that shot of the Hamilton Tower - so much interesting detail! the tower itself and its assorted antennas and flags, derelict fighters, interesting old cars and the dunny!
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Post by baz62 on Nov 7, 2012 12:01:44 GMT 12
Yes these are great photos Dave (and you know how we minions LOVE photos!!) ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 7, 2012 12:02:48 GMT 12
Baz, I have already stated above that the wings are the replacement C-47 wings that ZK-AZL was about to receive.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 7, 2012 12:03:51 GMT 12
I wonder why air dropping baby fish was considered a better option than placing them into the lakes from trucks? All the hydro lakes have easy road access.
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Post by baz62 on Nov 7, 2012 15:13:37 GMT 12
Baz, I have already stated above that the wings are the replacement C-47 wings that ZK-AZL was about to receive. Yes I just noticed that now  I was too busy admiring the photo to read the text! |
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Post by sputnik767 on Nov 7, 2012 17:46:49 GMT 12
Wow, love the pic's. I met a bloke yesterday that worked in the parts supply for the fletchers at AESL and James aviation. really interesting to talk to.
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Post by mstokes on Nov 7, 2012 19:39:02 GMT 12
A very interesting thread, I certainly hope that these images are put into print one day as they are a nice tribute to the top dressing industry in it's infancy. I wonder where the 1:1 scale Fletcher Utility FU-24 is still available in original box?  |
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Post by Damon on Nov 7, 2012 19:46:54 GMT 12
Does any part of the wooden contol tower still exist? Tales it could tell!!
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Post by Deane B on Nov 7, 2012 20:35:48 GMT 12
Great pictures. Really like the ones of BDS being put together.
I wonder what the lever on the control grip is for? Would it be for braking - not sure if there were toe brakes on rudder pedals on early models?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 7, 2012 20:52:52 GMT 12
Is this Fletcher ZK-BDS the same ZK-BDS that now hangs in Classic Flyers Museum, Tauranga?
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Post by oj on Nov 7, 2012 21:08:01 GMT 12
This is absolutely wonderful; to have these becoming available. As an ex-JAL employee I can state that most of these were not in the company-based archives when I was there. Ossie must have had them safely at home.
Readers should note that in almost all of the unpacking, assembling and official opening and taxying, we are looking at the REAR end of the JAL hangar, not the front facing Airport Road.
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Post by oj on Nov 7, 2012 21:11:20 GMT 12
Note that the old control tower has a gallows on top to remind the cadet controllers of the consequences of not having the Very Pistol always at the ready with a red flare up the spout!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 7, 2012 21:23:54 GMT 12
Is this Fletcher ZK-BDS the same ZK-BDS that now hangs in Classic Flyers Museum, Tauranga? Nope. That's actually c/n 124 ex ZK-CRY the real ZK-BDS hit hill Matawai near Whakatane 20Sep03 during ferry flight and I understand that the remains are stored at Superair. |
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Post by mstokes on Nov 7, 2012 21:27:59 GMT 12
The real BDS is unfortunately stored at Super Air after an accident circa 2003 Dave. The 'BDS' in Classic Flyers is the old Mid-Northern Aerial Work 300 and was retrieved from Maungatoroto and restored for static display by Super Air. The rego escapes me at the moment but I think it was the first CRY rego fletcher. Deane, the extra lever is a mystery but I imagine it wasn't electric auto trim |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2012 11:18:50 GMT 12
*faints*
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Post by starr on Nov 8, 2012 16:41:52 GMT 12
Reply 9 shows cab & chassis of Thorneycroft before DC3 loader was built. It will be the same vehicle shown in reply 16 unloading BDS. The original was one of many Coles cranes based on military airfields. I know they were used at Ardmore to right overturned Corsairs. This vehicle had the chassis lengthened to for its topdressing role. The top of the jib was 32 feet above the ground.
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Post by The Red Baron on Nov 8, 2012 17:10:14 GMT 12
The little trout were flown from Rotorua where the trout hatchery was.Speed was quicker by air,and most of the trout survived the drop.They were flown from Rotorua to the South Island and up to the Far North.
Beaver BFO was used only briefly on the Auck/Tokoroa/Kawerau run,it was a flop and canned shortly after it was started.A hopper was inserted for topdressing.
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I was too busy admiring the photo to read the text!
