siznaudin

Ok, Ok, I know we're not looking at a pitot cover, but it's in the same ball park. Just don't tell PETA about it:wink:

Ah well, and if you can't afford a nice sounding big round engine (and are there many of us here who can?) then how about this .. it also happens to link in aurally with my two 1909 hobby cars. And by the way ... it IS an aeroplane, believe it or not...! k-idle.wav k-idle.wav k-idle.wav

A full account of the Wackett bomber can be found here.. http://www.dropbears.com/f/felix_noble/woomera.htm

I've just had a look-see in my copy of "Aircraft Pioneer" by the Man Himself .. L J Wackett, and he interestingly enough waxes eloquent re the Wirraway & Boomerang but makes only the briefest of references to the bomber, of which he says two prototypes were constructed. Possible inferences are that it was less than a total success, or else its role could be better and more efficiently fulfilled by another product(?)

"First licenses in Oz were issued, I believe through the Royal Aero Club, London. First (RAeC # 1024) to one Richard Williams 12 Nov 1914." That's from Parnell & Boughton, but "The Aviators" by William Joy (ISBN 0 85558 011 9) gives one William Ewart Hart as holding the first, albeit without reference to the source of that claim.

If you have (plenty of) spare time and are interested in finding out how America won WWII click on this for a series of images ... Liberators by the THOUSANDS. I knew the Willow Run factory was big, but this really gives a feel for just HOW big! http://public.fotki.com/Kos/members_photo_galle/wiilow_run_bomber/?cmd=fs_slideshow

" a high-winged twin-float seaplane with four Napier Rapier H engines of 340 hp." A not-so-good quality shot of a Rapier engine in the Shuttleworth collection. 16 cylinders "H" configuration and lots of revs & noise. A Halford design and he maxed out with the 24 cylinder Sabre. Napier sure specialised in complex motors ..... [ATTACH]17844[/ATTACH]

Can someone tell me why, when there has been so much progress over the years with multigrade/detergent/synthetic etc oils for motor vehicles, we still see straight grades in use with aircraft engines?

First licenses in Oz were issued, I believe through the Royal Aero Club, London. First (RAeC # 1024) to one Richard Williams 12 Nov 1914. Try to access "Flypast - a record of aviation in Australia" (Parnell/Boughton) Go to page 23 and you'll get the first 18 licenses issued. Good luck with the other 42. cheers, Geoff.

No-one's come up as yet with a suggestion for my mystery aviator, and in my ongoing search as to who it might be, this image has come to light. It could possibly be the same kite, but I can't tie in the tailplane No. (C 372?) with any of the DH6's from the airforce of the day. :pout: [ATTACH]17843[/ATTACH]

Well that's good then, 'cause I guess I qualify as one of those (a blast from the past, that is...) -

G'day Robbo .. I hope there's no House Rule that gives a cut-out date to posts from the past? Anyhow* - here's another of the CAC Woomera. And my question is a genuine one.. how many of them were built? Anyone out there know? Cheers, Geoff. .....................................*have a Winfield [ATTACH]17842[/ATTACH]

I believe the title given to the 'plane was "The Maid of Harlech" ..... and if you want more P38's go to the warbirds gallery, chaps (and chapesses..). [ATTACH]17841[/ATTACH]

Welcome to TAA "The Friendly Way", Jack - I, like yourself, am retired so we can consider ourselves the lucky ones in most respects other than (in my case) the dwindling less-than-superannuation kitty. And with Victoria's fire disaster , VERY lucky! Go to the ultralights section of the gallery for 3 images of an a/c with the soft landing parachute you've mentioned: I'd seen ads for it in the mags but this was the first one I'd encountered. At the Truro (SA) "Toy Run" fly-in last December. And again - welcome. Geoff.

So how many were built - nothing beyond the prototype? [ATTACH]253.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]254.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]17840[/ATTACH]

...and this one too? How to achieve exhaust thrust augmentation from an R-2800. BTW, as a kid I flew Parafield to Sydney in a 240 and with the winds on the day it set a shortest time for that trip to that date. It's all just a bit different now, though - thanks to Frank Whittle and others! [ATTACH]250.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]17837[/ATTACH]

So if you like the 240/340's, you'll probably enjoy this shot: [ATTACH]249.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]17836[/ATTACH]

Not my shot (it's the Breitling Connie - taken in ~2004, I think.. and don't look too closely at copyright issues). From the dim recesses of the brain I seem to recall that B&W images were enhanced dramatically by using red filters for cloud & sky effects, although today's digital e-enhancement can do just about anything with any original image, no matter the nature of the source.

Thanks for that Glenn - yes, nice layout, thanks to there being a LOT of $$$$ tied up with that particular enterprise: the reproduction RAF1a engines, I believe cost around Au$200,000 each - I think they're doing a run of five(5) engines for starters. It's a very, very serious capital "B" Business!

Super Constellation: nothing else come close. And I'm not a HARS member, either! [ATTACH]247.vB[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]17835[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]246.vB[/ATTACH]Anybody tell me who this pilot is? Very likely taken in Adelaide, early 20's. Aircraft is a DH6, engine an RAF1a fitted with stub exhausts - 2 blade prop. (most DH6's had 4 blade...). If you know nothing about DH6's operating in Australia, do yourself a favour and read Horrie Miller's book "Early Birds" (long out of print, unfortunately..). The passage describing a night flight in one of these, with cylinders glowing dull red and sparks from the exhausts casting a demonic light on the ocupants is a cracker! [ATTACH]17834[/ATTACH]

I am zer old fahrt, ya? (iz cherman verd -but don't mention ze vorr, nein?) Impecunious to the point of not being a pilot, let alone own an aircraft, I could be classed as an aviation groupie. Especially if it involves hanging around OLD aircraft. And if they have two wings and a big round engine .. YEEHAAAAAA! Hence my focus is on aviation history, old aircraft and old aircraft which are being brought back to life. Go take a look at this site http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/vintage-aviator , for example. My first post will be for the history sleuths - a wonderfully evocative photo of a 20's pilot in front of a DH6, powered by the engine type which is being recreated by the wizards from the above site. I'm looking forward to my involvement with TAA ("The Friendly Way").