< PreviousBeech17, s/n 357, the incredibly historic ‘Antarctic Staggerwing” that had been used by Admiral Byrd in the United States expedition to the ice in 1939. I visited Callum and Trish at Wanaka and was amazed with the level of detail and expertise on display, not only in what Callum knew about the construction and mechanics of the Staggerwing - but the passion he had for the history of the plane. He was more excited than I was with the possibility that we could bring home NZ’s first Beechcraft for restoration. The Return of s/n 107 After the deal had been done we had a month to get over to Sydney, secure the plane and get her shipped. Ken Smithwell had very kindly offered to help us with this even though he lived five hours north of Sydney - and a date was set for August 26th. Ken could only help us for three days and I’m glad I decided we needed more than just Callum and I to go. My very good mate, Barry Small, a retired aircraft engineer and chopper pilot from Te Anau was keen to lend a hand so we all met up at Sydney Airport on the Sunday night and stayed in suburban Roseville, just five minutes away from where the Staggerwing had been hidden. Ken picked us up on Monday for the start of what was an extremely busy three days of getting the Beechcraft out of storage, cleaning all the bits and repacking her in a container for shipping. The fuselage had been originally stored at Captain Smithwell’s house, but for the last 15 years had been in Galston at Bert Smithwell’s son-in-law’s engineering workshop. As this was the biggest single piece of the puzzle Callum decided we should retrieve it first. We hired a tandem axle trailer, and by lunchtime on the Monday had the fuselage ready for the nearly two hour drive to Bankstown Airport. We’d been lucky enough that Scott Pringle, from NP Aviation had offered us the use of his yard to park a container at Bankstown, and Scotty and his team were very helpful in letting us use their facilities, dumpster and compressed air in cleaning down and preparing the hundreds of parts to be loaded. By the end of day one we had the fuselage in the container and had inspected the rest of the bits under the house. We slept very well that night! Tuesday was even busier, with at least two trailer loads needing to be strapped down and driven through suburban Sydney to Bankstown. The biggest worry was the wings, but with expert tie-down experience Barry made the task look easy. Callum stayed at Bankstown to get the wings tied into place inside the container while Ken, Barry and I did a second load which included an old Jacobs engine. The deal had included two engines, the main one with the fuselage and a spare ¾ engine that was missing two cylinder heads. Wednesday was our last full day in Sydney and we still had a huge task ahead of us. Callum had already helped ship one Staggerwing from Australia so he knew exactly what was needed in arranging the container. The final few hours we were running on adrenaline. We had to get the job finished as we were flying back to New Zealand the next morning. Finally around 5pm we were ready to shut the doors and sit down with Scotty and his team for a beer. Ken and Sue Smithwell met us that night for dinner at a nearby restaurant and are very keen to come and visit once restoration has begun. Shipping went without a hitch as did the Quarantine inspection. Restoration started in June 2020 with the wings being taken from Wanaka to Clevedon, Auckland where restoration maestro Rob McNair will spend around a year and half rebuilding and covering them ready for painting. Meanwhile the main restoration on the fuselage has also begun and I’ve a huge task ahead to source many original instruments for her. I still can’t believe I’m now the owner of a Beech 17 - especially such an important one in New Zealand aviation history. It truly will be a privilege to be able to restore her so she can be enjoyed by generations of aviation enthusiasts to come. None of this could have happened without Graham Orphan, Cam Hawley and Barry Small who all gave me support and help to make the decision that will change my life. Thanks guys! Don Grant KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 69 30 Kiwi Flyer Project Beech C17L s/n 107 on the move and heading home. Fabric stripped and now removing dirt and cobwebs. Callum checking everything is tied down tightly. F K Barry Small, Ken Smithwell, Don Grant & Callum Smith.31 2020 #3 There’s a good reason the C17L has been described as one of the most beautiful aircraft of all time. This is Cam Hawley in VH-UXP during Warbirds Over Wanaka 2017. Gavin Conroy imageKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 69 32 NZ Warbirds contributed by Frank Parker Adding to a growing collection of WWI aircraft, the New Zealand Warbirds Association took delivery of a replica Bristol F.2b ‘Fighter’ aircraft in March of this year. The story of this particular aircraft however, goes back quite a few years beyond that. Frank Parker shares the story: NZ Warbirds’ Brisfit at Ardmore First flight for NZ Warbirds Association’s restored replica Bristol F.2b. In 2015 the Association was approached with a question as to why we had no examples of WWI aircraft. With the centenary of Armistice Day on the horizon this was a poignant question and our well-wisher became a benefactor who assisted us to create a WWI aircraft collection. The first was a RAF BE.2c from The Vintage Aviator Limited (TVAL) here in New Zealand. This was followed by a Fokker Dr.I replica which had been built in NZ followed by a Bristol Scout Replica from California. We were then presented with the opportunity to purchase a Bristol Fighter project from Classic Aircraft Sales at Gavin Conroy image33 2020 #3 Omaka which is the subject of this story. The aircraft was one of a six replica ‘Brisfits’ built in the 1970s by Vernon Ohmert in Missouri for a film adaption of a novel by Jon Cleary titled ‘High Road to China’. For reasons lost in obscurity, the movie went ahead but used Belgian Stampes in place of the Bristol replicas. One of the replicas appeared in the movie ‘Death Hunt’ in 1981 and one was displayed in the Planes of Fame Museum. The remainder disappeared into a ‘barn’ or the equivalent thereof. Some detective work resulted in their discovery and a number were shipped to NZ by Classic Aircraft Sales. Our aircraft is one of these and the first to reach airworthy status. The purchase was pretty much sight unseen. These aircraft which had been airworthy, had also been in storage for 35 plus years so it was expected that a full inspection and rebuild would be required. The aircraft we secured was originally USA registration N29HC. It was the prototype of the ‘High Road to China’ (hence Bristol replica HR2C) aircraft and was flown at Oshkosh in July 1979, with only a few hours in her logbooks and at this time in her life christened as ‘Eva’. On initial inspection the aircraft was found to be in overall good condition. Nonetheless, a full strip and inspection with repair as necessary was completed to ensure continued airworthiness for the future. The first pleasant surprise was the engine where the bulk strip revealed a unit in overhauled condition. Overall the airframe was in sound Where to start... Fuselage restoration progress. condition, however it was quite an effort to turn a very tired looking aircraft to relative new condition. This started with a strip and repaint of the tubular frame plus partial fabric replacement as necessary. Along the way it was decided to make this a functional ‘display’ aircraft so it has been fitted with an electrical system (battery, generator, starter, radio) and wheel brakes for ground friendliness. This work was entrusted to JEM Aviation at Omaka, Blenheim. JEM has an enviable rebuild record so was an easy choice and the results speak for their expertise in this field. An important decision in the process was the choice of a livery. Among the many options available it was an easy decision to select ‘C814’ an aircraft associated with Sir Keith Park, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated Military Figures. When we embarked on this project we anticipated the aircraft participating in the Armistice Day 100 years Commemorations at Auckland War Memorial Museum. Alas restoration projects have their own timeline and this did not eventuate. Perhaps in sympathy with the Brisfit, or the solemnity of the occasion the day in Auckland was one of low overcast so all planned aviation activity was restricted to the hangar and local café! Fast forward 18 months and the Brisfit was completed, certificated and ready to fly. However the gentle spring skies of Marlborough became a tempest of Gavin Conroy image l Comprehensive stocks of Aircraft AN, MS, NAS Hardware l US Industrial Tooling l Aircraft Spruce (NZ) Distributor (fortnightly delivery from USA) l Covering Products Contact: Lianne Bergin P: 09 476 0984 F: 09 476 0985 E: sales@apparts.co.nz www.aviationandperformance.co.nzKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 69 34 NZ Warbirds Brisfit Heading to the paint shop. And back again. Ready to go. First Ardmore flight. For more information or to arrange a demonstration flight please contact Jim Lyver 027 440 0747 info@foxbat.nz www.foxbat.nz FOXBAT l VSTOL: Take off and land in just under 100m l VHF radios l The best ab-initio trainer to teach students to fly in l Tundra Tyres l Mud Flaps l Y shaped yoke with twin throttles l 30kg metal baggage bin with side door l Carry over 200kgs after full fuel “The perfect high country plane”35 2020 #3 strong westerly winds and inclement conditions, so it took nearly three weeks to get a suitable day for the first post-rebuild test flight program to get under way. This was in the hands of Ryan Southam who has an extensive record of classic aircraft test flying experience. The process was relatively straight forward. The biggest issue was excessive oil leaks from the engine, a Fairchild Ranger of 200 horsepower. These engines were originally designed for an inverted installation, however, in the Brisfit it is upright. This means that many of the accessories which normal run ‘dry’ were now running ‘wet’. This was accompanied by poor sump breather ‘plumbing’ which was pressurising the crankcase and caused excessive oil leaks from the magneto, starter and generator drives. Once this was remedied we were quickly under way. Once test flying was completed, Ryan delivered the aircraft to Ardmore in a 10 hour epic cross country - in time for its first public outing, a NZ Warbirds March Open Day at Ardmore. I have had a limited opportunity to fly the Brisfit. Firstly it is a big aircraft with a 40 foot wingspan and of its vintage, prodigious amounts of airframe drag. The original had a Rolls Royce Falcon engine of 275 hp so our aircraft is a little low on performance. The flying controls are slightly heavy but responsive. The aircraft does require a lot of rudder to keep it straight. It would be fair to say that any pilot with experience in the ubiquitous Tiger Moth would feel comfortable in the Brisfit. The Brisfit joins NZ Warbirds Association growing fleet of Great War aircraft which consists of a RAF BE.2c, (TVAL construction) A Bristol Scout D, a Fokker Dr.1 and a Siemens Shukert D-IV. This latter aircraft is another ‘rescue’ from the USA and is currently being brought to flying status by Association members. Watch this space! Regards, Frankly@xtra.co.nz F K www.avcraft.co.nz Avcraft Engineering NZ Ltd. Feilding Aerodrome 06 212 0920 mat@avcraft.co.nz From a 50 hour inspection on a Cessna 150, to a KingAir Phase Inspection or a Pilatus PC-12 Annual, our experienced engineers have the skills, knowledge and tooling to assist you with all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance requirements. Plus: Aircraft recoveries, Insurance repairs, Rebuilds, Sheet metal work, Corrosion repairs, Paint refinishing, Fabric work, Maintenance Control, and Avionics. Professional GyroCopter Instruction Trial Flights from Tauranga P: 0800 FLY A GYRO E: fly@gyrate.nz www.gyrate.nz2017 Limited this can be you f t V o u c h e r s A v a i l a b l eKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 69 36 There's a new level of customer focused maintenance at Hastings Aerodrome Fixed Cost Services Repairs & Restorations Scheduled Maintenance Modifications Bring your aircraft to Plane Torque Ltd and benefit from our co-operative approach to all your aircraft maintenance requirements. Contact Nic Roberts on 021 068 2271 email: nic@planetorque.co.nz www.planetorque.co.nz SCENIC FLIGHTS HELI CHARTER HELI FISHING PROPOSAL FLIGHTS HOTEL TRANSFERS COMMERCIAL OPS PHOTOGRAPHY PPL and CPL TRAINING CAANZ CERTIFICATED R 22, R 44, S 300 SAFETY AWARENESS COURSES TYPE RATINGS INSTRUCTOR RATINGS NIGHT RATINGS (unlim) 09 299 9442 sylvia@heliflite.nz www.heliflite.co.nz Email: info@compositesinternational.co.nz Patented Kiwi Made Spray Nozzles Improved Chemical Delivery Better Spray Drift Control Less Ground Time Tried and Proven Two Patterns Contact Glenn . 027 473 1403 . GlennKeane@xtra.co.nz 027 493 9975 1 Ingram Rd, Rukuhia, Hamilton hamish@centralaero.nz DC Starter Generators Aircraft Magnetos Actuators Generator Control Units Starter Motors Alternators We have many exchange/overhaul components on the shelf and offer prompt turnaround time for all repairs & overhauls. For more information, visit centralaero.nzRuth drops in to Mercer for this edition’s Place to Go. With accommodation on site and transport easily arranged, the field is quite a good base for exploring both of the southern coasts of Auckland plus all the things inbetween. Ruth writes: Places to Go: Mercer Mercer aerodrome, NZME, is situated 3.5 nm East NE of Mercer village which is 58 km south of Auckland on the eastern bank of the Waikato river. The 09/27 grass and seal runway is available with prior permission from the operator; dee@deebond.co.nz or by phoning 021 755 300. There are sky diving and flight training activities there, as well as model aircraft flying so do study up your AIP and check NOTAMs. NZME has an onsite engineering shop called West Aero which is focused on fixed wing maintenance and restoration; ph 09 947 7343. Go Skydive NZ is based here also, with sport skydiving available and competitively priced jump options for beginners. Fuel can be arranged with the operator who is planning on having a fuel facility at NZME by the end of August 2020. Mercer aerodrome is undergoing a process of change and growing in popularity. Dee Bond and Neil Young who own the aerodrome are restoring a WWII hangar which they think may have been the old Canterbury Aero Club hangar from Harewood at Christchurch. (Readers are invited to contact them with any knowledge on this.) This development will not only offer more space at the quickly growing field but also be a winter home for The very impressive ex-WWII hangar under construction at NZME which will soon become a winter home for the Catalina. the Catalina. It’s a major project but only one of many for Dee and Neil who also own the on-field backpacker hostel, the Mercer motel, Tuakau Bridge motor park, Tuakau hotel – and have further retail and accommodation options in the pipeline. Once you have settled your aircraft in, select your choice of accommodation with Dee on or off the field. On site is Mercer Backpackers, www.mercerhotel.co.nz which has bunk rooms, family and doubles with shared facilities. You can self-cater or utilise the courtesy coach for dining and entertainment at the Tuakau hotel about 20 minutes away. This historic hotel with Places to Go contributed by Ruth Allanson 37 2020 #3 Mercer Cheese’s humble building belies the treats within.accommodation, conference rooms and restaurant is steeped in history and has been caringly restored: www.tuakauhotel.co.nz. Dee is happy to organise a loan vehicle or a rental from Pukekohe in advance for people wishing to stay and make this place a base for a local look-see or even better, an east/west coast Waikato adventure as there are interesting beaches on both sides of the island here and you’re close to, but far enough out of Auckland to be free of crowds. Start with a plan for a day out in the area to see the Mercer Cheese shop, the Pokeno markets and Hampton Downs race track. Dutch born Albert Alferink and his wife opened the cheese shop in 1981 and produce about 20 tonnes of cheese annually across 15 types. They won a best cheese award in 2009 (Albert says he almost forgot to enter). Cheese there matures on the shelf for between 3 months and 3 years and the shop is open 6 days a week. Now with more than 70 stalls, the Franklin markets at nearby Pokeno have been running every Sunday for the last 12 years from 8am until 2pm. Back in the village nearby are two very popular ice- cream shops and don’t miss the famous Pokeno Bacon company. Then head 10 minutes south back past Mercer to Hampton Downs Race track, a world class motorsport and events centre. They have regular events to view and participate in, and some great team building options with meals and accommodation packages. There’s a ‘wet skid pan’, or try out the 270cc Go Karts. They also offer a Lamborghini Fast Dash, V8 Supercar Hot laps or Muscle Car U-drive experiences: www.hamptondowns.com After that excitement you might want to call into the Muddy Waters Irish Pub and restaurant at the Mercer Service Centre. www.muddywaterspubandrestaurant.com Although no longer a bustling locality, Mercer has a long and fascinating history of passing travellers via train and the river. The main trunk line opened up to Mercer in 1875 with a railways refreshment room that became an iconic dining experience for people of the era. However by the 1950s with fewer and faster trains, less stops were required which spelled its closure in 1958. In 1915 Caesar Roose borrowed 100 pounds to buy his first boat at the age of 16, later starting the first river service between Port Waikato and Cambridge. Over the years his businesses included a timber factory, coal mining, trucking, and international cargo. In 1965 he offered $100,000 towards the building of the Mercer bridge to replace the ferry. Find out more at the Mercer Art and Heritage Museum, open 10-2pm Friday and Saturday. For those who enjoy walking, take a look at the Redoubt back at Tuakau built by British forces during the Land wars in the 1860s. Situated 90m above the river it had two cannons to repel attacking waka. The walk has good history boards and views of the river and surrounds. If you’ve come to Tuakau, carry on to the wild west coast black sand beaches of either Port Waikato or Karioitahi. There are miles of sand dunes to explore at the former, and miles of towering cliffs to admire at the latter. On the following day, mount an expedition to the east coast town of Kaiaua on the Firth of Thames. Here you’ll find great fish and chips and beaches made of pebbles. Drive back to Mercer via the Miranda Shorebird Centre, a very important wintering ground for tens of thousands of birds, some of whom travel for two months from their Arctic breeding grounds – that’s a 12000 km trip! There are more things to do than you might expect in the Mercer locality. Hats off to Dee and Neil for really livening up the aerodrome and surrounding area with their various ventures. Ruth Allanson Port Waikato’s Sunset Beach on the west coast. F K Some of the shorebirds at Miranda migrate from the Arctic. KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 69 38 Places to Go Aircraft owners can now apply for an ADS-B Grant. You must have either booked an ADS-B installation, or already have installed ADS-B. Get advice from your Part 66 LAME or Part 145 workshop to install the right ADS-B equipment. Apply for your ADS-B Grant now! Don’t get left in the hangar To apply go to www.nss.govt.nz/adsb ADS-B Grant scheme 1. Book 2. Apply 3. Install & validate 4. Claim Pre application checks Have you checked your eligibility for a grant? Have you checked that your aircra registration details are correct? Have you booked your ADS-B installation with an Avionics Workshop/Installer? ADS-B Grant scheme FAQs www.nss.govt.nz/adsb39 2020 #3 Ready to build kits | Factory built aircraft and kits in stock, spare parts and full support available in New Zealand Contact your NZ ICP light sport aircraft agent Philip Seale at Westwind Aviation on 021 747 494 or philipseale@xtra.co.nz ICP Savannah S www.lightsportaircraft.co.nz 09 489 9650 val@hoodbrokers.com www.hoodinsurance.co.nz Public Liability Insurance Business Protection Insurance General Insurance Offering the best possible solutions to protect you business and yourself. l Packed with Features Check them out on our website Stratomaster XTREME EFIS Compact, Cost Effective, and Simply Stunning ! 4.3” sunlight readable TFT LCD Fits std 3.1/8” panel hole (x-wide) AH, ASI, ALT, VSI, HDG, TC, etc. Engine info (EGT, CHT, OILT&P, FUEL, TACH, MAP, HOBBS etc) Mixed VFR analog (ASI, ALT, VSI) + engine info Mixed AH + flight + engine info Checklists GPS derived flightpath or true attitude (with external SP4 AHRS) l l l l l l Obituary Vale: Bill Black Legendary Te Anau pilot Bill Black passed away peacefully, aged 76, in Invercargill on July 1. His funeral service was held on July 10 at the Fiordland Community Events Centre in Te Anau and was of course attended by a great many people. One of New Zealand’s original venison recovery and rescue pilots, Bill saved countless lives and earned much admiration for his flying ability and when required, bravery. He logged more than 800 rescue and mercy missions. Bill was awarded an MBE in 1977, and also the Jean Batten Memorial Trophy, both citing an outstanding contribution to New Zealand aviation. The Batten citation noted him as a pioneer in venison recovery and mountain flying, the days of which will never been seen again: “He has been involved in saving a great many lives, by day and night, often in freezing temperatures, hazardous winds, low visibility and at high altitudes, and in many cases been first at accident sites where grief and sadness prevailed. Many involved fellow pilots and friends.” In that regard Bill also recovered scores of other aircraft and helicopters from crash sites throughout Fiordland. He was known for coping with the grief involved, but I recall many years back meeting Bill at an autogyro fly-in (he was a great enthusiast for gyros) and proudly telling Bill I was part way into a helicopter CPL. “Oh don’t do that,” he said only partly in jest. “Too many friends…” The citation called him “a paragon of experience in his environment, possessing exceptional aptitude and unrivalled flying skills, constantly fostering good airmanship and always willing to mentor other pilots.” Bill was also a volunteer firefighter for 28 years and involved, although lesser known for it, in conservation work. Director-General of Conservation Lou Sanson said that Bill’s flying skills played a key role in DOC’s kakapo recovery work in the 1970s. In 2013, author Merv Halliday worked with Bill to tell his story in a book ‘I Did It My Way’. Merv noted that Bill’s ability to keep returning from dangerous jobs and rescue missions was down to more than good luck. “He was just so fastidious in his work.’’ But in the book Bill, typically humble, said he “was lucky because he just kept coming home”. As well as being fastidious, or lucky, Bill was simply a natural pilot. He transitioned from schoolboy models to Tiger Moths as fast as he could earn the money for lessons. Before long he had bought his own, but after being given a ride in the first helicopter to visit South Otago where he lived, he realised that was what he wanted to do. Bill became one of the pioneers of deer recovery in Fiordland when he signed up with (Sir) Tim Wallis as a pilot for Luggate Game Packers in 1967. He recovered thousands of feral deer from the bush. In one year during the ‘60s Bill, his shooter and gutter recovered 8501, with a biggest day of 195 – “found, shot, gutted, picked up and ferried to the boat”. Bill recalled in his book that he sometimes wondered why he put the machine away at night because, “I could be away again about three hours later next morning and the machine was bloody well still warm.” The book also tells many tales of calculated risk taking and several near misses. But with almost 29,000 hours of helicopter time logged, Bill only ever had one accident when a passenger accidently bumped off the mags while moving in the cockpit. He had an outstanding record as a pilot, and an equally outstanding record as a person. He will be greatly missed and long remembered. Bill sadly didn’t enjoy good health for his last few years, but perhaps is flying again now. Rest in peace Bill. Michael NortonNext >