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Post by slackie on Sept 2, 2008 19:38:31 GMT 12
Howdy All,
I'm looking at collecting a video/photo history of our Pitts S2B ZK-MAD. Any photos that anyone has would be gratefully received. Particularly interested in videos of airshow displays, and pictures of pilots/passengers. I've noticed that most that come for a ride in the aircraft have someone to take a photo or two and it's these I'm interested in.
I'd like to post the photos on our website with accompanying details of date/time/people. Am happy to provide details of the photograph owner with any links to your websites provided from the photos.
Please either post the photos or links in this thread or PM me and I'll give you an email address to send to.
Thanking you all in advance
Mike
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Post by stu on Sept 2, 2008 21:19:33 GMT 12
Hi Mike, a few average ones that may be of some use to get the ball rolling. I'm sure there will be many more on offer by very experienced photographers shortly though  Taken at the Brian Langley Memorial Aerobatics Competition back in May, I do have them at a higher resolution if you want them emailed.    Cheers, Stu. |
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Post by Bruce on Sept 2, 2008 23:25:04 GMT 12
I have just searched through all the photos I took during my time at Gulf Aeronautics and I am amazed that although I photographed most of the aircraft we worked on there, I have nothing of the assembly of MAD. The earliest I have is the following poor photo (this has been cropped slightly) I took during the 1993 Hamilton Airshow. Richard Hood is the pilot. This is the Pitts factory colour scheme with the Lion Red Sponsorship titles - originally it had MasterTrade sponsorship.  By that time it had gone through three tailwheel assemblies and was on its second Cockpit canopy....  No aileron spades fitted at that time it appears. |
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Post by rbwannabe on Sept 3, 2008 8:56:34 GMT 12
Have not posted photos before so hope I have read the instructions correctly.  This is Mad on a photo shoot for NZ Wings, with Ross Ewing in the front. Couldn't afford a second headset, so an old helmet and mask was used.   Prior to the first test flight in NZ.  This photo made the front page of the International Aerobatic Club magazine. Just a couple of corrections on Bruce's notes. The paint scheme was factory applied but was call the Pompano paint scheme, after Pompano air center whom we bought MAD from, very similar to the original Pitts scheme but with more "stars and bars"etc. It was a stunning paint/fabric job but alas the fabric was from a batch of cotton that wasn't treated right resulting in it rotting after about 10 years. MAD was never flown without spades, it is a "No Go" item (flutter). |
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Post by rbwannabe on Sept 3, 2008 9:10:28 GMT 12
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Post by Bruce on Sept 3, 2008 9:34:19 GMT 12
great photos Richard - the various clutter outside Gulf Aeronautics brings back some memories! regarding the spades, I thought that they were always fitted but they didnt show up on my poor photo - I guess the angle just had them hidden amongst the "Lion Red" titles (Lion Red does effect your vision...) Certainly the original cotton finish was superb, I had to repair the fabric in the tailpost areas after the failure of the maule tailwheel casting one time - The number of colour coats originally supplied was incredible (but probably quite heavy) its a pity the base fabric was flawed. I like the shot of all the red Pitts - was that NorthShore? |
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Post by rbwannabe on Sept 3, 2008 9:48:26 GMT 12
Hi Bruce Yes the paint and fabric work was stunning. I remember how long it took to sand off the painted N Number (N260J). The Maule tailwheel was a disaster, quite disconcerting to see one bounce between the wings, miss the prop and carry on down the runway when landing! Some more.  A younger Steve Taylor  A younger me!  A younger wife (the one on the left, and yes she was rated on both Pitts) And a younger current Harvard display pilot. |
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Post by Kereru on Sept 3, 2008 11:06:51 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 3, 2008 11:56:02 GMT 12
Those are superb photographs Richard, thanks for posting them. When and where were all those Pitts Specials together? What a great sight. Did they all fly together that day?
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Post by rbwannabe on Sept 3, 2008 12:10:11 GMT 12
It was North Shore mid ninties. ELI,DOH,WIZ,EES & MAD, yes they would have all flown that day (but not together) Here is one of Slackie and MAD  |
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Post by hairy on Sept 3, 2008 19:29:24 GMT 12
I've rifled through the ex.Wings magazine photos that I got earlier this year and found these, the only info. I have is what is on the back........ (please note these are only low res. scans.)  John King photo, North Shore open day, 27/04/91. Richard Hood, Pitts Special S2-B  No info.  John King photo, North Shore open day 27/04/91. "The Great Stunt Company" with their Pitts. L-R Alan Vujcich, John Kelly, Richard Hood  March '93  March '93 These are mine, taken at sunset 17/05/08.    |
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Post by rbwannabe on Sept 3, 2008 20:18:29 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 3, 2008 20:29:21 GMT 12
Wow, neat shots Richard. And Marcus that's a good selection - I think that one you've marked as 'March 93' is Phil Murray in the cockpit.
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Post by slackie on Sept 4, 2008 9:04:31 GMT 12
Fantastic...keep them coming!! Thanks guys...might have known you'd have a few Richard! Those last ones - are they enroute WF?? The look on my face must have been a premonition of the competition flight - not good!! Those ones from 'hairy' on 17/5 were me too!!
Please let me know if you DON'T want me to include them on our website!! If you want to be credited with the photos then please PM me your name - I don't know all of the 'handles'!!
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Post by slackie on Sept 7, 2008 9:14:23 GMT 12
Richard....can you remember rough dates of the different sponsorships? Will help in "carbon dating" some of the photos. When was the first test flight in NZ? Did it ever fly in white if so do you have any photos? Remember seeing some in the hangar but they have disappeared.
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Post by rbwannabe on Sept 7, 2008 10:30:19 GMT 12
Ah geez Mike so many questions! I have had to dust off the log books to get some rough dates.
I first flew Mad 12/12/90 with Steve, this would have been shortly after test flights were completed.
Neeco/Burts Mastertrade were the first sponsors (with ANZDL shipping. Mastertrade in effect purchased the final share in exchange for sponsorship, thus allowing us to purchase the Aircraft.
Lion Red were the next and biggest sponsors. I can't put a date to it but I would think mid to late 91 through to about 96.
It was recovered over the summer of 96/97 and I test flew it at NZMS 09/02/97, yes it was white and remained white until it was "introduced to the strainer post" It was then painted in the current competition scheme and I test flew it again on the 28/09/97 (this was when we got the third canopy!, but luckily because of Grants thick skull we managed to keep the radio!) It was sponsored by Minolta GX at this stage.
The photos taken down south were indeed taken en-route to Wanaka 98 with Rob Silich flying.
I may have the photos that you refer to, unfortunatley they won't show the complete aircraft, only the broken bits!
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Post by philip on Jan 31, 2011 19:17:14 GMT 12
I've just moved into a new hangar at Ardmore and there's 2 whiteboards on the wall, one a maintenance log and the other an aerobatic chart. I was about to rub them out when I realised they were for ZK-MAD.
Does anyone want them? I'd hate to erase something that might have sentimental value to someone out there. I know there is at least one owner here.
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Post by Darren Masters on Jan 31, 2011 19:36:48 GMT 12
I've just moved into a new hangar at Ardmore and there's 2 whiteboards on the wall, one a maintenance log and the other an aerobatic chart. I was about to rub them out when I realised they were for ZK-MAD. Does anyone want them? I'd hate to erase something that might have sentimental value to someone out there. I know there is at least one owner here. Phil, one of our FO's was part owner. I'll call him. |
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Post by Darren Masters on Jan 31, 2011 19:39:28 GMT 12
He's going to chase it up with the chairman of the syndicate and get back to me mate but please don't throw it out!!
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Post by fauville on Jan 31, 2011 20:23:34 GMT 12
WOW 02/04/94  |
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No aileron spades fitted at that time it appears.
