There was a nice intra-type battle within the HBBP Championships at Omaka, with three Fletchers of different horsepower competing. Would the lightest or more powerful win?
300 HP Fletcher FU-24 ZK-BYC (c/n 78) is operated by Killarney Farm
and flown by Peter Blake from Wairoa. His best distance was made up of a shortest take off 42.5 m plus a shortest landing 54.1 m for a total of 96.6 metres.
400 HP Fletcher FU24-950M ZK-BII (c/n 36) operated by Skyfarmer Ltd
and flown by Duncan Hart gets airborne in the STOL Competition. Duncan's best distance was made up of a shortest take off 75.0 m plus a shortest landing 91.0 m for a total of 166.0 metres.
550 HP Walter turbine powered Fletcher FU24-954 ZK-EML (c/n 264)
operated by Ravensdown Aerowork Ltd and based at Omaka was flown by Andrew Wheelan. Andrew's best distance was made up of a shortest take off 47.9 m plus a shortest landing 81.0 m (with thrust reversal) for a total of 128.9 metres.
So the winner was the 300 HP Fletcher ZK-BYC, an oldie but a goodie!.
Startling to realize that ZK-BII is now over 60 years old - first flew on 20Dec1955.
ReplyDeleteIf you head back in time the other way from that date, that's pre-Wright brothers.