The Birdman TL-1 was a VERY light microlight aircraft that weighed only 130 pounds empty! (59 Kg). It was marketed by its designer Emmett M Talley III in 1976, but its gloss faded somewhat with Talley's death during a demonstration flight in the prototype at Anaheim, California in May 1976. Like many of the early microlights it was underpowered with a 10 HP Chrysler engine but it was an elegant design. It had a length of 20 feet 3 inches (6.15 metres), a wingspan of 34 feet (10.36 metres) and a wing area of 144 square feet. The photo below is of a Birdman, probably in Australia.
Christchurch man Wyn T Eggleston built a Birdman TL-1A and it was completed in 1982. The Birdman was never registered but had a constructors number of
MAANZ/41. It made at least one flight and here is a description of that flight written in 1983 as provided by Janic Geelen:
"About a year ago an attempt was made to fly this very light machine which is powered by a 10 HP Chrysler motor. Bruce Bonner, well known test pilots for homebuilt (aircraft) was to have the honour of first flight. Extensive ground tests proved all was OK, especially in the power department. Fears had been expressed as to the minimal amount of power available but according to the flight manual 55 pounds thrust was sufficient for flight. Static tests on Wyn's plane was 72 pounds, plenty said Wyn.
With Bruce on board, on an absolutely still morning at Claxby, the "Birdman" was wound to full throttle, the Chrysler motor buzzing out all its mighty 10 HP. The plane trundled sedately across the airfield, eventually lifting off at what seemed a ridiculously low speed. After gaining an altitude of 4 feet climbing ceased and the boundary fence was cleared by inches. After an amazing flat turn (what else at that height?) it disappeared behind some trees still travelling at little more than running pace. A few seconds more and the buzzing abruptly stopped. The expression on Wyn's face would have to be seen! I hastily leapt aboard my Scout and flew across to find the Birdman sitting unharmed about 2 paddocks away from the airfield with Bruce standing alongside. "It just wouldn't climb" he said. "I obviously wasn't going to get back to the airfield so I landed".
The Birdman was dismantled and put back in the special trailer that Wyn had constructed to house it, and has remained thus ever since. However a recent discussion with Wyn reveals that he still has plenty of enthusiasm and firmly believes the Birdman will fly properly. There seems no reason that it should not, if the figures quoted in the flight manual are accurate. Another attempt to fly the Birdman will be made in the near future".
Can any blog reader add anything to this story? Did Wyn's Birdman ever fly again?
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Cessna 185D Skywagon ZK-CKP is c/n 1850796 and has been with the Cameron family at Otematata Station sine late 1987 after its seventeen years previously as a ski plane with Mount Cook.
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