ZK-TGN being recovered 28-9-16

Sadly North American T-28B Trojan ZK-TGN s/n 138218 had to make a wheels up landing at Ardmore yesterday afternoon when the pilot on what I believe was only the aircrafts third post assembly flight was unable to lower the landing gear. Attached are some photo's of the recovery operation performed in less than ideal weather yesterday afternoon. Once raised off the ground the landing gear was able to be lowered and the aircraft towed first to Pionair for an inspection and then to the Warbirds hanger. It is a testament to the skill of the test pilot and the rugged constructure of the aircraft that it appears to have suffered minimal damage to the airframe. Obviously the props will have to be replaced and the engine inspected. It is just unfortunate that the police prior to the aircrafts return to Ardmore had all the roads in the vicinity blocked off so hence no landing photos from me.