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Post by Peter Lewis on May 26, 2013 22:20:04 GMT 12
Seeking any information on the Dunlop & Erikson monoplane.
Built 1931-32 by Gunnar Erikson, Waiuku.
Similar looks to Comper Swift. Powered by a 25hp ABC Scorpion.
First flight by W Stanton at Waipipi 11Jul32.
Crashed on t/off second flight Waipipi 11Jul32 (same day). Pilot Stanton.
Is there any reference in Wingspread?. Can't find my copy right now.
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Post by errolmartyn on May 26, 2013 23:46:39 GMT 12
Peter,
See AHSNZ Journal Jul 1960, page 95
Only 10 lines in Wingspread, and no mention of Dunlop.
Errol
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Post by AussieBob on May 27, 2013 0:37:49 GMT 12
www.flickr.com/photos/26ratier/4025349771/Flickr: johnhearne41's Photostreamwww.flickr.com/photos/26ratier/ Script on reverse side reads 'Erikson Monoplane Waiuku 1926'. I am told that it may be a Bristol Engine. Anyone can see this photo All rights reserved ... 
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Post by Damon on May 27, 2013 11:17:36 GMT 12
The image does not appear on my computer. Try again?
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Post by AussieBob on May 27, 2013 13:03:58 GMT 12
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Post by AussieBob on May 27, 2013 13:19:09 GMT 12
I have also noticed there is an ongoing Erikson family prescence in the Waiuku area, including Erikson Engineering Co Ltd and, In the 2007 planting of the Walsh Bros memorial at Mission Bay (From: www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00009/sculpture-takes-flight-at-mission-bay.htm)
"Inspired by the pioneering aviators, acclaimed artist Fred Graham has created a gigantic bird from titanium rods. The bird has a wingspan of 6m and will be suspended 6m high by stainless steel wire.
Councillor Toni Millar, deputy chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee says, “Fred Graham’s interpretation of the Manurewa embodies the spirit of the Walsh brothers’ enterprise, which played such an integral part in the history of Mission Bay”...........................
Mr Graham will install his sculpture this week with his long-time engineer Rex Erikson and council contractor Wiltek Maintenance Ltd. A cherry picker will be used to suspend the bird, which will be trucked in from Waiuku."
Is it likely to be the same Erikson connection back to the monoplane and a possible source of original data. |
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Post by baronbeeza on May 27, 2013 14:53:42 GMT 12
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Post by Peter Lewis on May 27, 2013 17:44:24 GMT 12
Thanks for the assistance, anything more is welcome.
My notes gives '3.95' as a reference Errol, so that'd be where I got the gen from.
I have a very poor and somewhat damaged print showing this completed aircraft, and it looks very similar to the unfinished one shown above. So I'd say they are one and the same.
I wouldn't put too much faith in that engine description.
I wonder how accurate 1926 is, though.
Erikson Engineering may well be worth following up.
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Post by hairy on Jun 15, 2013 16:41:40 GMT 12
Seeking any information on the Dunlop & Erikson monoplane. Better late than never................. 
From the back of the photo..........."Dunlop & Erikson homebuilt, Waipipi, July 1932. Bill Stanton at the controls."  |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jun 15, 2013 17:54:08 GMT 12
Ah yes. Looks like he hit the fence.
Presumably that's the second of the two flights!
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Post by emron on Sept 1, 2022 18:51:18 GMT 12
Not one but three Erikson Monoplanes!
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Wanganui Chronicle, 6 February 1930.
AVIATOR’S MONOPLANE
CONSTRUCTION AT AUCKLAND
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(Special to “Chronicle”)
AUCKLAND, Feb, 6.
The arrival in Auckland from America in the past few days of a propeller for a single-seater monoplane which Gunnar Erikson, a young engineer, of Waiuku, is building for himself, brings the completion of the machine in sight. Erikson has been engaged for 12 months in building the aeroplane, working on it in his spare time, and he anticipates having it ready for trial in the next few weeks. Construction is practically completed, and now awaits the power plant.
Neatly resting on small pneumatic tyred wheels fitted to the understructure and which were specially imported from America, the monoplane has every appearance of strength and lightness. With a fuel tank capacity of six gallons of petrol the machine is not expected to remain aloft longer than two hours at a time, nor to have a cruising range much in excess of 100 miles.
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Poverty Bay Herald, 23 June 1931.
A monoplane is being constructed at Waiuku by two young men, Messrs. G. Erikson and W. Stanton, and good progress has been made, reports the Auckland Herald. Mr. Erikson previously constructed a smaller monoplane , which proved partially successful, with a motorcycle engine. Mr. Stanton holds a certificate as a pilot from the Auckland Aero Club. Encouraged by the degree of success obtained by Mr. Erickson with the first machine, the two men set about the construction of a larger one, for which they have obtained a new aeroplane engine. The framework has been completed and the landing wheels and the engine has been attached. The outer covering has yet to be bent on to the framework and engine and flying controls have to be installed.
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Auckland Star, 14 July 1932.
AEROPLANE HITS FENCE.
ACCIDENT AT WAIUKU.
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PILOT NOT INJURED.
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The monoplane constructed by the Dunlop and Erikson Aircraft, Waiuku, crashed into a wire fence at a speed of 50 miles an hour yesterday afternoon, when it was taking off for a trial flight.
The machine was badly damaged, but not beyond repair. Fence posts were broken and uprooted and the machine came to rest with one side badly crushed in. The pilot, Mr W. T. Stanton, of New Plymouth, stepped from the cockpit uninjured.
For this flight, which was the second in the machine, some farm land about three miles from Waiuku was chosen. Across wind was blowing, but other weather conditions were favourable. After the machine had taxied for 200 yards and then risen a few feet from the ground the tail swung to the left and the ‘plane failed to clear the fence and crashed within 30 yards of a party of spectators. It lay on the ground like giant wounded bird, with it’s engine still roaring. One landing wheel was stripped off, the propeller broken and the undercarriage extensively damaged. The frame snapped, which caused one of the wings to collapse. On examination it was shown that the engine was not damaged. Mr. Stanton said that he had expected to clear the fence. Messrs. Dunlop and Erickson stated that they will either repair the machine or build another one and they were satisfied with it’s airworthiness.
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Waikato Times, 1 March 1935.
Building a Monoplane, --- A single-seater monoplane is being constructed at Waiuku by Messrs. H. Dunlop and G. Erickson, of Waiuku, the builders of a light aeroplane which made several flights three years ago. The first machine was wrecked through colliding with a fence when taking off on a flight. The new machine will be heavier than the previous model.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 3, 2022 9:36:33 GMT 12
I would assume that the first aircraft and the third never took to the air.
"Mr. Erikson previously constructed a smaller monoplane , which proved partially successful," would seem to indicate that.
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Post by emron on Sept 6, 2022 20:19:01 GMT 12
The Dunlop and Erikson monoplane crashed on 13 July 1932. Here's the account of it's successful flight two days earlier.
I understand it was named "Miss Richfield" in recognition of their fuel sponsor, the Richfield Oil Corporation. Richfield eagle emblem painted on tail.
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NZ Herald, 12 July 1932.
TEST OF MONOPLANE.
MACHINE BUILT AT WAIUKU.
SATISFACTORY TRIAL FLIGHT.
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{FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]
WAIUKU, Monday.
A successful flight was made this afternoon by the first aeroplane to be constructed at Waiuku on commercial lines. The machine is a monoplane, designed and built by Dunlop Erikson Aircraft, Waiuku, the principals of which are Mr. H. Dunlop, an engineer, and Mr. G. Erikson, a young electrician, who has made a study of aircraft construction.
The large shed on the wharf was used as a factory for the building of the aeroplane, which was started about 18 months ago. Preliminary trials, in which the machine was in the air for a few seconds, were made, and to-day was selected for a more thorough test.
Conditions were good. The pilot was Mr. W. Stanton, of New Plymouth, and formerly of Waiuku, who is an ex-pupil of the Auckland Aero Club. He commented on landing that the machine proved perfectly airworthy and stable. Taking off at Pukeoware, to the east of Waiuku, he attained an altitude of about 1500ft., circled slowly above the town, and landed again at Pukeoware. The flight occupied approximately 20 minutes, and covered a course estimated at 20 miles. A speed of 85 miles an hour was attained. A run of just over 50 yards was required for take off, and 65 yards to land.
The machine is a single-seater, and an engine developing up to 40 h.p. is used. The fuel tank capacity is eight gallons of petrol, which gives a flying range of about 320 miles, being estimated as sufficient for three to four hour’s flying.
Miss Richfield is to be the name of the monoplane, and on further tests proving satisfactory, application is to be made to the Director of Air Services, Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, for the necessary licence to use the machine for longer flights.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 1, 2022 20:35:05 GMT 12
Better late than never.................  LOCALLY BUILT AEROPLANE CRASHES DURING A TRIAL AT WAIUKU YESTERDAY. The single-seater monoplane constructed at Waiuku, which crashed while taxi-ing along preparatory to taking off, striking a fence at a speed of about 50 miles an hour. The top photograph was taken immediately after the impact. On the left is a fence post falling. In the lower picture the machine is shown as it came to rest, one wing being partly wrenched off. Inset is a portrait of the pilot, Mr. W. T. Stanton, who was unhurt. NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 14 JULY 1932 |
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