Monday 15 June 2009

Other Siroccos in New Zealand

Following from Blue Bus's post on Sirocco ZK-FNQ, and seeing that it is the middle of winter and I haven't been to an aerodrome for yonks - I though I would post the history of other Siroccos in New Zealand. The first Sirocco to be completed was Ron Keyte's ZK-DAF (c/n AACA18) which was first registered in January 1975 and first flew in January 1976. It is photographed here at the AACA fly-in at Kaikohe in 1976 I think. This was the second aircraft built by Ron Keyte, the first being Turbulent ZK-CDD. In the 1970's Ron Keyte was a padre in the RNZAF at Ohakea, where the aircraft was completed. Tragically ZK-DAF broke up in mid-air at Masterton on 11 March 1978 killing Ron Keyte and also Manfred Schaeffer who had just finished building Taylor Monoplane ZK-EDZ at Lower Hutt. This Sirocco was painted orange and white.
The second Sirocco to be registered was Neville Stronach's ZK-ECW which was registered in February 1975. I recall that this aircraft was built in a very short time. It had the optional lower tail and rudder and also had a fixed undercarriage. It was painted red and white and is photographed here at Manpouri early on in its life. It is still currently registered but may have been damaged in a hangar collapse at some point. Does anyone know if it is still operational?


The third Sirocco to be completed was Rex Krammer's ZK-EDQ (c/n AACA 141), which was first registered in January 1976. This was the first Sirocco with a retractable undercarriage and I think it probably was the first New Zealand homebuilt aircraft with a retracting undercarriage. This aircraft was built at Motueka where I think this photograph was taken. I do not have a record of the photographers of ECW and EDQ. This aircraft was quite heavy and was withdrawn from use and cancelled at Christchurch on 21/2/03.

The fourth Sirocco to fly was ZK-FNQ as covered in Blue Bus's post, and the fifth and so far latest to fly is Lindsay Wheelers ZK-PTR (c/n AACA 148/1) which was first registered in December 1999, and is currently based at Kerikeri. I think this is the aircraft that was built by Steve Rankin over many years at Whangarei. Thanks to Lindsay Wheeler for the photo



9 comments:

  1. Good one Sir Minty.

    I can add a few snips.

    ZK-DAF had a 130hp Franklin engine.

    ZK-EDQ originally had ZK-DYR against its paper work but changed for some reason. It carried the name "Reta Too". Lindsay built the Taylor Coot ZK-ECL; I wonder if this may have been the original "Reta". EDR was damaged at least twice in the 70's and to the best of my knowledge went to Airwork (NZ) Ltd in Christchurch about November of 1981 to be dismantled. I have a pencil mark to say that it was cancelled on 21-04-83 but it could well have reurned to the register again.

    ZK-PTR was indeed started by Steve Rankin in about 1992 and was to have become ZK-DJT. Lindsay however registered at as ZK-PTR for Peter because three of Lindsays helpers on this project were named Peter. It is powered with a 3.5 Rover engine to a 1.68:1 reduction. It is painted in the pseudo RNZAF marks of NZ5404.

    Sir Minty: Is the the one that you got those strange prop photos from ? Any chance of blogging one for the masses ?
    Tks

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have a note that ZK-EDQ went to Airwork in 1981 as (part?)exchange for Cherokee 235 ZK-CEH, which Mr Krammer then owned from late 1981 to May 1985. After that exchange EDQ remained unsold and was eventually dismantled, registration cancelled 21Apr83.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for your comments Blue Bus. I would have posted some additional wording but I was having trouble getting the words onto the page (technically! - I had to fiddle around with the font and I couldn't go back and edit what I had written). I think you got your wires crossed about ZK-EDQ, Reta Too - this was built by Rex Krammer not Lindsay Wheeler (who did build Coot ZK-ECL but it did not have a name).

    Also I think the Sirocco ZK-PTR was started by Steve Rankin long before 1992 - I would think he was building it from at least the 1980's. Interestingly the c/n for Lindsay Wheeler's Coot is AACA 128 but the c/n for his Sirocco is AACA 148/1 - maybe AACA was Steve Rankin's AACA number?

    It would be neat if others could post some Sirocco photos.

    I will look for the strange prop photo of ZK-PTR.

    ReplyDelete
  4. OOPS !

    Yes Sir Minty : You are correct on all counts re my comments - Must have een too early in the morning for me.
    (Nice to know that they are being read).

    I will rat around and see what other pics I can find.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ECW was ready to fly at 800hrs work time 22nd Dec 1974 and completed high speed taxying! at Monowai. Eventually permits etc were obtained and the first Official flight from Monowai to Mt Cook airfield at Manapouri was carried out by myself, first Sirocco to fly in NZ and I was possibly the first NZ person to fly a Sirocco. Stuart Graham did the full test schedule and Jim Bucham the Aerobatic test schedule.
    It was damaged at Glenorchy when a garage fell on it, Henry Kramer repaired some of the damage. Present owner is Matthew Omond, Judge and Jury farm Queenstown. Stored dismantled. CAA register has details of Owners but incorrectly list initial registration as I pointed out to them. Initial Registration Jurca MJ5 Sirocco, Serial No 244 17-02-75, note not AACA number. I Had started to compile "Sirocco in NZ" phoned for information but hard to come by. Rex Kramers Sirocco was dismantled in Christchurch and Ron Keytes DAF had the 130 Franklin replaced by a O-320 150hp Lycoming. I do have more information on Sirocco also have a look at Marcel Jurcas site

    niftenev

    ReplyDelete
  6. JURCA SIROCCO IN NEW ZEALAND

    Sirocco ZK-ECW first official flight 25th May 1975 was the first Sirocco to fly in New Zealand. It was constructed by Neville Stronach, at the Monowai Hydro power station. ZK-ECW is an MJ5 Mk2 fitted with a fixed undercarriage and Lycoming 0-235-C2A 115Hp engine ex Victa Airtourer. It was damaged in the 1990’s when a garage collapsed onto it. Partially repaired and stored near Queenstown. Present owner 2008 Mr M B Omond. Initial Registration Serial 244, then AACA313.


    Sirocco ZK-EDQ first flight 7th February 1976 was the second Sirocco to fly in New Zealand. It had retractable undercarriage and was constructed by Rex Krammer at Hope Nelson. Sold to Airwork at Christchurch circa 1996. Airwork first sold the 150HP Lycoming motor and other parts followed.


    Sirocco ZK-DAF first flight was 5th January1976 the third to fly in New Zealand, It was constructed by Padre Ron Keyte Ohakea Air Base. Original Franklin sport 4B 130hp engine was replaced by 150hp Lycoming 0320-E2A. Crashed near Masterton 11th March 1978. AACA 18
    Niftenev

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sir Minty,

    I am the grandson of Rex Krammer. Yes he did build the ZK-EDQ in the Moutere, Nelson. The name Reta Too was after his wife Reta. He built a boat that he named Reta before the aircraft which is pictured. Rex also towed glidders behind ZK-EDQ in Nelson before selling to a gentleman in christchurch.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sir Minty,
    I am the daughter of Rex Krammer who built his Sirocco ZK-EDQ at his property in Hope, Nelson. He named Sirocco Reta too, after mum. We are very proud of our dad and his achievements and loved flying with him. Nathan was a little confused with the towing of gliders, dad did tow them at Nelson airport but flew a Pawnee. Understandable confusion of facts from Nathan, his grandson, as dad had passed away the day before. I believe dad sold Sirocco due to not being able to take passengers following the tragic accident of ZK-DAF. He enjoyed taking us flying with him so bought ZK-CEH.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for your memories of Reta too

    ReplyDelete