Saturday 29 December 2018

Billy T James flying !

The following link   here   will take you to a video showing Billy T James flying the ski equipped Piper PA-18A-180 Super Cub ZK-BFV (c/n 18-4135) from the Canal road between Tekapo and Twizel, over a bit of tiger country then along the Mount Cook ridge line.
I am sure you will excuse the odd bit of Cessna interior along  the way.
 Above and below we see ZK-BFV at Twizel with skis on 18-10-1981.

                    A view below of ZK-BFV with skis at Rangiora in the 1985 air show from Steve Lowe.
Previous posts on ZK-BFV can be seen here HERE

 Below.
ZK-BFV and Gavin are also well known for his water skiing show at Twizel back on 22-0-2012 on Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel.
In this view I would imagine his heart beat was on the rise.
 Below we see her at Alexandra on 14-11-1983 with its 180hp Lycoming, glider tow hook, disc brakes, ski mounts and under wing ski racks.
 
It actually began its career with Airwork (NZ) Ltd from 21-03-1955 in the agricultural role and after a couple of woopsies in 1957 and 1958 required a major rebuild and flew again in May of 1961.
A photo from its very early Ag days from the Ed Coates collection.
Below we have four photographs from the Des White collection as held by the Aviation Historical Society of NZ.
Above is another early shot showing her at Christchurch with the minuscule rudder registration.
It also has what looks like under wing attachment points and extra wing strut hanging down by the letter 'K' - for the spray bars ?
Interesting background of two DH89's and a Douglas DC-6 variant.
 Above in a new scheme and minus 'Airwork (NZ) Ltd' script.
I'm guessing this is after its rebuild - ie post May 1961.
Below two views of her outside Airwork in its three seat 'pregnant Cub' mode.
I don't have a date for this mod - but it was done pre 1964.
You can make out the wider fuselage stringers in the lower fuselage behind the rear wing strut.

Another interesting background with the PA-23 Apache in hangar and the PA-22-108 Milk Stool ZK-CEG on the right - so late 1963 !

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