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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 18, 2016 13:02:24 GMT 12
The wonderful team at Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga have achieved another coup, successfully running the engine on their ex-RNZAF Macchi! Footage of the run is on their Facebook page.
I believe their goal is to eventually return it to the air, which will be awesome.
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 18, 2016 18:53:32 GMT 12
I just watched the three videos. That is absolutely spectacular! What a great day!
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jul 18, 2016 20:40:12 GMT 12
Excellent news! Big 'thumbs up' for their efforts in getting the Avenger and Kittyhawk running too!!
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Post by TS on Jul 19, 2016 13:39:50 GMT 12
Cool. But just wondering are they able to fire up the Skyhawk at some stage?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 19, 2016 16:22:01 GMT 12
Don't think so, if I recall correctly they were not supplied to museums with engines! Don will know for sure.
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 19, 2016 16:37:42 GMT 12
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Post by TS on Jul 19, 2016 17:24:13 GMT 12
AHHH thanks chaps. That would make it very difficult indeed. Although they could put a couple of very large speakers in the "gap" copy the sound then turn it up. Only problem would be the lack of hot air out the pipe.   |
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jul 19, 2016 18:43:01 GMT 12
Perhaps Ms Clarke would like to oblige...
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Post by TS on Jul 19, 2016 22:04:48 GMT 12
Perhaps Ms Clarke would like to oblige... Tui Add........ Yeah Right. |
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Post by noooby on Jul 20, 2016 16:30:05 GMT 12
Plenty of J52's in the US! And you could probably fit a JT-  in there too and they might be even cheaper to get. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 20, 2016 17:44:31 GMT 12
I'm fairly sure the Skyhawks are all still owned by the RNZAF and the museums have been told no getting them running
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 20, 2016 23:15:41 GMT 12
And I don't see any Skyhawks being imported to become a flying warbird any time in the foreseeable future either.
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a98
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1 
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Post by a98 on Jul 21, 2016 9:48:10 GMT 12
The crew are having a great time getting on with these projects and appreciate everyone's encouragement and assistance too. The Macchi is a pristine item we are certainly proud of getting to this stage - so a full strip and check will be carried out in the near future, once the Avenger has been painted and moved to the main hangar for display.
Anyone know where we can find a serviceable P&W J52? |
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 21, 2016 10:05:59 GMT 12
Perhaps they were just being humorous?
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Post by planewriting on Jul 21, 2016 14:51:27 GMT 12
Still talking Classic Flyer projects - the museum is looking for the logbooks for their newly acquired Victa Airtourers namely ZK-CDN, ZK-CWC and ZK-VTR (originally ZK-CWE) for restoration to flying condition. They may be in your possession or with an acquaintance or possibly stashed away in an aviation workshop. If anyone out there happens to know where any of those logbooks are, please reply on this thread or email Andrew Gormlie AndrewG@classicflyersnz.com Thanks
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Post by baz62 on Jul 21, 2016 19:19:54 GMT 12
I'm fairly sure the Skyhawks are all still owned by the RNZAF and the museums have been told no getting them running Correct whereas the Italians probably would care less thats a low time Macchi wants to be flown \. One of our Drawing offices lads is ex Avionics 14 Squadron and he said compared with the A4 the Maachi had no secret squirrel stuff not even radar. Its the engine thats the issue but if a comparable engine fits well that's great but its going to be expensive. |
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Post by curtiss on Jul 21, 2016 20:45:26 GMT 12
The Viper 680 in the 339C had some serious engineering issues that were still being resolved when the fleet was retired. One of the fixes was to de rate all of the engines from 102% t to 100% to try and slow the rate of cyclic use. Problems included turbine blade lifing (from memory 800hrs throwaway life from new), serious combustion liner cracking, O stage blade FOD tolerance , DCV diaphragm rapid wear out , BOV problems , compressor vibration issues , centre bearing overheat and failure etc, etc.... Easiest and safest way to operate the aircraft is replace the engine ( and tailpipe) with a Viper 632.
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Post by mumbles on Jul 22, 2016 15:51:31 GMT 12
"Never going to happen" was what I was told by one ex-Macchi maintainer when the subject of civilian/museum operation came up. Will be interesting to see if that turns out to be true or not. Besides the engine, I would have thought maintaining things like the HUD might be tricky as well?
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 22, 2016 20:39:43 GMT 12
Do you need the HUD operational to be able to fly it? Proper question, not trying to be facetious.
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Post by nzjet on Jul 23, 2016 10:07:19 GMT 12
No
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in there too and they might be even cheaper to get.
