Your Favourite Twin

[Defenestrator]

Thought it would be fun to hear the pro's and con's of the 'multi' engined' aircraft that you most enjoyed polling. For mine the C310 was a horrible dog but for some reason, that eludes me, I just loved flying it. Just a damn sexy airplane. The C404 was a pleasure. IF skills have never been hotter than the Metro days. Yes.....they were the good days. And you??

D:cool:

[Forktailed Dr Killer]

C402 in Executive config. eg well below MTOW.

Dr:cool:

[chimbu warrior]

Depends on the mission. If you are referring to a personal aircraft, I enjoyed the Beech Travelair. If you have lots of mates (to pay the fuel bill) a Beech 18 is a great machine and easy to fly. If you are referring to a workhorse, can't beat a Twin Otter. If you are in a hurry, a Citation X (no, I haven't had the pleasure). If size matters a B777 (not had the pleasure of that one either).

[Defenestrator]

Chimbu,
If it's ok with you can we discuss the types that we have time on. I do however agree with your sentiments WRT the Citation and the B777. Very nice aircraft.

D:ok:

[Jamair]

BE58 for pvt flying; Kingair for commercial ops.

[JUZ777]

B60... SO SO sexy..:E:E:E

[The Messiah]

MU-2 or 777.

[Towering Q]

The mighty Mixmaster.:ok:

Soon to be outdone by the Adams 500.

[Tiger 77]

Well I can't really say Buffalo can I (unless ms flight sim counts)?

Probably can't go past the good ol' PA31 Navajo (don't care much for the chieftain though, it flys funny). Navajo fly's smoothly and responsively and is a pleasure to land. Pity it's impossible to sync the props for more than two seconds. :hmm:

Cheers,
Tiger.

[Aussie]

Yeah, put me down for the 777 :ok:

[Dixons Cider]

That great aussie piece of machinery - the Gonad N22/N24 :uhoh:

[Tempo]

The C404....awesome to fly....loved every hour..

[DUXNUTZ]

B55 with 58 engines. Six stack cd player and hot blonde co-pilot with good 'CRM' skills!

[Wizofoz]

Mary Kate Olsen....No, Wait.....Ashley....No....errr...:uhoh:

[tinpis]

Nah ..yer all wrong, absolute sweetheart little airyplane

http://www.tasair.com.au/fleet/aero2.jpg

[international hog driver]

Mary Kate or a Twin Otter.

[galdian]

Aerostar 601 - great little pocket rocket!

[Atlas Shrugged]

Yep - Aerostar :ok:

[Peter Fanelli]

421B
421B



The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

:hmm:

[kiwiblue]

As someone said previously, horses for courses...

The unjustly maligned Britten Norman BN2 Islander would be at or very close to the top of my list, for its sheer versatility, utility and load-lifting ability -all of that into & out of places very few (if any) other light twins would go, none with such good grace.

The C402C another well favoured machine.

[hoggsnortrupert]

Twin Comanche, Nah.
Aztec, Nah, Nah.
Apache, Nah,Nah.
Ac 50, & 50s, Yes yes yes.
Navajo,Nah.
Chieftain,Nah, Nah.
Gomad,sorry Nomad, Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah.
C 421 Golden Eagle, Yes,Yes,Yes.
Grinder,opps I mean Islander, Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,.
Tri- grinder, Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah,Nah.
B 58, Nah.
Cheyenne, Nah.
C 310, Yes.
DHC6, Twotter,1,2,& 300/ 3 bladers Yes Yes,Yes.
DHC6, Twotter 300,/4 bladers,Yes
B732,Yes,Yes.
H/Snort:ok:

[Howard Hughes]

PA-23 'Apache'

No speed, no performance, no IFR, no right hand hydraulic pump, but heaps of room and lots of character!
There is something appealing about a rounded tailplane, what a goddess!:ok:

You can keep your:
PA-23 'Aztec'
PA-31 'Navajo'
PA-31 'Cheiftan'
PA-44 'Seminole'
C-310 err '310', what the hell is the nick for a 310 anyway?
C-337 'Skymaster'
C-402B 'Commuter'
C-404 'Titan'
BE-58 'Baron'
BE-76 'Duchess'
BE-200 'Kingair'
BAe 31/32 'Jetstream'...;)

[chimbu warrior]

Howard I believe the 310 was previously called the "Skyknight".

Who comes up with these names?

[Howard Hughes]

Thanks Chimbu, but I thought the 'Skyknight' was the C-320 (stretched 310)???:confused:

[tinpis]

The SKYNIGHT (http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://azairservice.com/images/320E/320.jpg&imgrefurl=http://azairservice.com/&h=300&w=400&sz=15&hl=en&start=1&tbnid=bJDRdYijdNFClM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcessna%2B320%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%2 6sa%3DG) is the turbo 320
Bit of a pig IFR
Did my instrument rating in one in 1973.

[Howard Hughes]

Who comes up with these names?
I don't know, but I bet they get paid a mozza for it!:hmm:

Google seems to come up blank as well, I won't sleep tonight now...;)

[Islander Jock]

In order of my ratings and preference;
BN2
BE58
PA23
BE76
PA44

[Peter Fanelli]

The Cessna 320's were all turbo charged and built between 1961 and 1969. After that the they were just called Turbo 310's, therefore the 310 itself has never had a name of it's own.

[Towering Q]

Interesting that the mighty 441 hasn't come up yet.

[chimbu warrior]

Yeah....Gaunty must be on holiday!

Although I haven't flown one, I must admit that the C441 has impressive performance and economics.

[BrazDriver]

Gotta go the 58 Baron.

[qtn]

I'm with kiwiblue, go the islander

[virgindriver]

C441 is a poor man's B200...

and

"Probably can't go past the good ol' PA31 Navajo (don't care much for the chieftain though, it flys funny). Navajo fly's smoothly and responsively and is a pleasure to land. Pity it's impossible to sync the props for more than two seconds."

Seriously, have you ever flown a Navajo? They look good until you have to fly one- love the ground, noooo performance, and very pitchy in cruise (and as was mentioned, props that never stay in sync and turbos that make you adjust MP every 1000'). You'd never guess I hate them.

C402c much nicer. BN2 is pretty hard to get caught in- very forgiving.

And Aztec??? you really have to be kidding!

Just my thoughts.

[megle2]

The Apache by far.
Minute for minute for fun.
No looks, no speed, no performance but lots of fun.
Haven't had that since moving on up the chain.

[BrazDriver]

Must admit the systems in the Nav are not as good as the chieftain.

Ground loving Navajo's? Some I have flown go like homesick angels - even when full! Others for some strange reason fly tail down and are nothing special.

Flew one Chieftain and it would ace 20 more knots cruise on the rest of the fleet. Go figure??

[Alex 009]

No one here has mentioned the PA30? Great twin trainer. Seriously though the Twin Otter would get my vote, then of course the B777-200LR ;)

[Towering Q]

C441 is a poor man's B200...

If that doesn't generate a response from Gaunty, nothing will!

[flyhardmo]

Several thousand hours in the twin otter and the bloody thing still amazes. Best performer is a -200 with -300 engines. The electrics were always screwing up on us but that beast didnt want to stay on the ground.
Best piston, the C-404. those geared engines are definately the best sounding as well. Very tricky engines and nose gear but it kept me on my toes on those bush strips. On the same lines the F-406 is a performer and carries a good load. very fun to fly.:ok:

[triadic]

Seems that not many folk have flown it, but the Shirke Commander takes a lot of beating..... others might go a bit faster, but for handling it is hard to beat.:ok:

On the turbo prop side, the Dash 8 takes the cake in my view....:ok:

[pithblot]

DC-3
B200
C441

On my wish list are AC50, E110, Twotter and B777.

[haughtney1]

BE-76 Ducky..hmmmm 5 outta 10

BE-200 King....hmmm 8 outta 10

Boeing 767-300ER....hmmm 8.5 outta 10

Boeing 757-200....14 outta 10 :8 shes a rocket ship:ok:

[Lineboy4life]

Seneca 1 - fully loaded on a hot day:yuk:, or better still - somewhere over the mountains in NZ on a winters night with a low freezing level:eek:

f:mad:!!!

[tinpis]

Now now, no pissing contests.:=

[kiwiblue]

Seneca 1 - fully loaded on a hot day:yuk:, or better still - somewhere over the mountains in NZ on a winters night with a low freezing level:eek:

ROFPML :} That has to be written by someone that has flown ZK-ROC!!! Couldn't agree more! :ok: She's a pig of the highest order that one... ROC by name, Rock by nature

PML

[kingtoad]

Another vote for ye olde Beechcraft TravelAir

... and nobody has mentioned a C414A ????

[chimbu warrior]

Pithblot, you might as well scratch E110 from your wish list. Apart from a reasonable speed and good economics, it is far from fun to fly. Very heavy in roll (especially after the Twin Otter, which is delightfully harmonised), atrocious ventilation (air enters from the rear and travels forward, so the pilot get the cabin smells and not much else), and nowhere near the airframe strength of an Otter. I also had numerous gear problems (usually wouldn't retract).

[Chimbu chuckles]

My favorites to date,

Piston twin - C404 closely followed by Baron. Islander was certainly a money maker but beyond that:yuk:. Aerostar...very fast, handled nicely but :uhoh: C402...enjoyed them but the 404 beats them on every count. Queenairs...a piston Banderiante. Be76...great little light private/training twin. Pa30...:ugh:

Turboprop - Twin Otter, hands down the most fun to be had sitting up, fully dressed when used for what it was designed for, bush flying. To go long distances quickly the C441. I loved that aeroplane too. Poor mans B200? I don't fecking think so:rolleyes::ok:

I actually enjoyed flying the E110 Bandit...yes a little ponderous in roll but overall a great aeroplane, easy to fly single pilot and very stable in hard IFR.

Jet - I love my current mount, B767-300ER, but probably the Falcon 200 is my overall favorite with the F28 in very close second and actually had slightly nicer handling...the Citation 560 Ultra did not impress me much at all.

[chimbu warrior]

Ah Chuck.....please check thread title; Dash 7 does not qualify as a "twin" except with 2 engines shut down!

As for Bae146, well it shouldn't even qualify as an aeroplane, although I am sure those who have flown it would point out that it frequently DID have 2 engines shut down.

[Chimbu chuckles]

You're right:( I got carried away wandering around memory lane:{

Previous post edited.:ok:

[PA39]

:) CRI CRI !! i remember when Bobby Gibbes watched Jim Hazelton take it up to FL120 !!

[fender]

My favourite twin is Aunty Sophie, Aunty Betty is a grouch.

[kellykelpie]

Turbine - C441 - Loved it > 30000 in the cruise, ran on the smell of an oily rag, easy to operate, sometimes overflew Pearce military area at FL160 and descented into Perth from about 15 miles (it must have been for 03?). The descent angle was so steep I'm not sure who was more scared, the pax or me.


Piston - C402 - underrated I thought (I enjoyed flying it more than flying the B58 or navajo/Chieftan).

[greybeard]

As for chimbu, Fokker 28 followed by the Fokker 100

They spoilt that one by taking out the twin thrust levers and the variable speed brake

Oh well it is not bad anyway

:ok:

[VH-FTS]

:) CRI CRI !! i remember when Bobby Gibbes watched Jim Hazelton take it up to FL120 !!

Damn, I was hoping no one would beat me to mentioning this one!

A cheap way to build multi hours. I wonder what the carriers would think if you rocked up with 500+ cri-cri hours?

[Howard Hughes]

Don't know of any IFR Cri Cri's, but I spose if it was IFR it would meet the CAO requirement...:ok:

[gaunty]

Gulfstream 550 :p Those huge panoramic windows get me every time and a 6000ft cabin at FL510 is not bad either.:D:ok:

[clear to land]

1. Twotter: for sheer utility and FUN
2. 90 King Air: very crisp roll, good field performance, lacks elevator in flare.
3. B200: Looks great, very stable IFR platform, honest aeroplane.
4. B777: flys like a truck, but simple systems/great economics. And its Boeing!

[Mere Mortal]

Youtube is full of Cri Cri videos. There are a couple of jet powered examples. They use the same engines found in RC model jets. Now that would be cool.
All need now is to cut my legs off at knees and I should fit into one.
MM

[Capt Wally]

.................DH104.................the poms know how to make a plane fly with excellent balance, just not with any semblance of the modern word 'ergonomics' !..........switches placed everywhere at random !.........although the old girl was made around 1950 when CRM & Ergonomics where yet to be dreamed up!...still 4 tons & 65 kts are numbers that would frighten newbies these days !

..............Lear35..................cramped cockpit but the speed.........oh the speed and handling:-)


.......BE200....................truck, built typical Beech....like a Brick Sh*t House !...................can carry a house & be almost put where a house stands !


........Capt Wally:-)

[PA39]

FTS

< I wonder what the carriers ........>

CRY CRY and CRY some more!!!:)

[Desert Duck]

Capt Wally

DH104
Have to agree - not fast, and very expensive to maintain nowdays, but a lovely airplane to fly.

DH114, with gypsy engines a close second

[compressor stall]

AC50.

A pilot's and operator's machine.

[FL440]

BE76 - COuld never beat for a great initial multi trainer, reliable as hell and robust! and no performance what so ever on 1 engine on a semi warm day at MTOW!!
On the upside, an impressive Rate of Roll!!

C421 Golden Eagle - Always enjoyed this machine! Up at FL260 doing a good 230 TAS and pressurised.....those dam engines have given me a few very decent scares but a very comfortable machine to fly! The Gem of the piston class.....

:ok:

[Valdiviano]

L188, AN Wombat squadron, memorable flight with a crazy new zealender, ex crop duster, below 5000' one fine afternoon, between hobart and launceston, just before they got rid of them.:E
AC500s
C310

[gaunty]

DH104, gotta agree, we bought three in boxes from the RNZAF Queens Flt several dozen yonks ago. Reassembled them with new avionics and had some engineers on the floor who had been on the assembly line at Hatfield and actually built them?? Gipsy's (ies) as well.

Never got to fly one as we moved on from there, but if they were Geoffrey de Havilland designs then they would have been absolute gentlemen/ladies like his Chipmunk.

We also had a Drover (ex RFDS Lycoming conversion) which was a delight and a bloody good STOL ship.

[gaunty]

FL440

C421 = a classic and legend in its own time, just like the C441 turboprop.

The C425 a PT6 version of the C421 was unbelievably quiet and quick to FL250 = 10 minutes.

[pithblot]

Thanks Chimbu Warrior. Scratch the Bandit. Add 757. :ok:

[tinpis]

L188, AN Wombat squadron, memorable flight with a crazy new zealender, ex crop duster, below 5000' one fine afternoon,

You should of seen him in a C185 dungduster ! :eek:

[Speeds high]

Interesting to note the airplanes that haven't featured on this list.

[Brian Abraham]

Valdiviano - would that have been 76 -77 era? Was opposite direction one day and given traffic on a low level Wombat (well they do dig under fences don't they) and never did see him. Always worried me as to how one would miss seeing the smoke signals that they emitted.

[gaunty]

Kananga Station on the Nullarbor.

RFDS fly in fund raiser.

Visiting Wombat, party on.

Wombat crew stole all the good looking girls.

Departed next am asked to do flyover, .......... big mistake, reinforced Wombat crew good looking girls routine.

Did usual party trick reversing out of parking area, .....then commenced flyover said parking area :E......I wasn't the only one who hit the dirt. :{ Wombat crew good looking girls routine now unassailable. :D They, good looking girls, didn't stop talking about it all the way back to Perth.:ugh::ugh:;) C206 even if it was brand new aint no match.:sad:

[rearwhelsteer888]

Pa 31 cheiftain - not much of a performer but I always loved flying it empty.
C402C - Lovely a/c that did everything better than a PA31
B-58 - What a performer, and lovely to pole.
AC 50 Beat the absolute sh#t out of all of them in every way. exept cabin noise and hates turbulence.

One that hasn't been mentioned which would kick major ass, wait,wait for it
Piper PA-42-1000 400LS
1000shp/side TPE 331-14 (metro engine I think)
Tas 350
I've read a artical about this a/c in BCA, the demo drivers of for Piper when they were trying to seel them to prospective b200 owners would demonstrate them in a race from 1000' to 28000'.
It will beat a b200 on one engine while the Beech was on two.
I would love a thrap in one of these baby's ,none in aust,just one in NZ I believe
Plenty for sale in the states
RWS 888:E

[Valdiviano]

december 1983, ansett L188, RMC (poor old girl, I think she died in The States, great aeroplane, great bunch of people), very unusual afternoon flight, got a picture of the sheep running away UP the hill, as we flew along a valley, maybe they where running away from the NZ captain.
You might have the wrong WOMBATS.

[Lefthanded_Rock_Thrower]

Compressor Stall, what ?, not the CASA ?.

Any aircraft that has an urn is a winner in my books, "tea and bickies ?", "yes please !".

[Towering Q]

Gaunty, did you mean Kanandah Station on the Nullabor? I've not heard of a Kananga Station, not to say one doesn't exist.

[maui]

Big 777 just delightful
Medium MD87 Go machine 3mins 12' takeoff 10,000' reversal turn 300 kts (-10c 120 pax)
big little B1900C flexibility personified
little Shrike Shi..s all over 310 and baron , but a bit slower

M

[gassed budgie]

Jetprop Commander for me. It was the final culmination of the Aero Commader line, one of the all time classic GA aircraft from Ted Smith. That lovely long slender tapered wing has a look all of it's own. Commander 1000 (695B) = over 300ktas at well over 30,000'.
Yes thanks.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5990/commander3sq5.jpg

[gaunty]

Towering Q:ok:

Yup Kanandah Station 'twas, just checking to see who was awake. eh eh eh :{ was along time ago and I'm still smarting about those girl stealing Wombat crew.:sad:

Val. aaah you mean THIS Wombat

http://de.airliners.net/photos/small/8/7/9/0241978.jpg still my personal all time favourite turboprop airliner.

[maui]

fu$%#d budgie

Haven't had the pleasure. But looks good. If it's anything like the other AC's it should be great.

M

[tinpis]

Lots of kiwis escaped to OZ on these gaunty including myself in the early 60's
Was at least a 12 Steinlager flight.

http://www.edwardian-delights.com/vd5285.jpg

[Valdiviano]

YES, that wombat squadron.
Thanks gaunty, nice pictures of the Ansett Air Freight L188.

[mingalababya]

I'm only endorsed on the PA44 so don't have much to compare with but does anyone have any thoughts on the PN68? It looks quite roomy inside and the high wing I like, but how does it perform?

[Howard Hughes]

Was at least a 12 Steinlager flight.
Long necks of course...:ok:
does anyone have any thoughts on the PN68? It looks quite roomy inside and the high wing I like, but how does it perform?
Like a 30 year old underpowered entry level twin aircraft should! Having said that YOU'LL LOVE it!! It's good for taking a few mates away for a long weekend, provided you don't have too many mates and they don't want to got to far.

Cheers, HH.:ok:

[tinpis]

Dont think stubbies had been invented then.:p

[HarleyD]

Hmmm, I'm a bit surprised that no-one is nominating the legendary DHA-3 Drover (Gypsy powered of course) as their favourite, Oh wait a moment, this is for your favourite twin, not multi, otherwise I'm sure it would be right up there with the Trislander etc...

Oh well, it might not have been fast, or quiet, or comfortable, or stable and it did have dreadful brakes and levers and switches scattered all around the office, and fixed pitch props on unreliable engines, but it smelled like a real plane and it had heaps of flaps and a TAILWHEEL!!

If, however, a tri-motor is out of the game, I'd have to go with the Dak for character building or the Lockheed 12 for a bit of fun on a nice day.

HD

[tinpis]

Hmmm, I'm a bit surprised that no-one is nominating the legendary DHA-3 Drover

Recall one Drover that stank of sheep sh!t

PAGAS were using it to cart sheep from Penneshaw to the mainland

Anyone got a photo of it?

[gaunty]

Aaaah tinny we bought one from the RFDS qnd operated it 7 times a day 7 days a week from Perth to Rottnest (circa 18 nm) several decades ago.

VH-FDS Lycoming conversion tarted up to look like a 1920s railway carriage, Fri arvo flights girls in fishnet stockings and flapper gear serving champange. Went well until one of the pilots tried mating it with huffer.

Great STOL ship handled like a Chipmunk.
http://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/RyePeter/5338.jpg

Caption to the above says it all.

Built in 1951 as a Mk.I, registered VH-DRC, delivered to Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) and, named as "Gordon Alberry", operated for the Royal Flying Docter Service (RFDS). In 1959 the aircraft was bought by the RFDS but still operated by TAA. By 1961 the aircraft had been converted from a Mk.I via Mk.IF, Mk.II to Mk.III. In 1963 it was re-registered VH-FDS, re-named "Norman Bourke" and was operated by the Queensland Section till 1968.

From 1969 the aircraft changed ownership several times and was damaged beyond repair in an accident on July 30, 1973. In 1989 it was donated to the Queensland Air Museum at Caloundra, Tasmania.

[tinpis]

Gaunty the one Im thinking of had Lycomings and was being flown in 1975 out of West Beach

[hoggsnortrupert]

Gaunty:

If memory serves me correct? there was one of these abandoned at one of the strips I use to fly into , I think it may have been "lonora" (spelt it wrong)
I say think it was Lonora, (circa 1985 ex Air meli):ok:.

Chr's

H/Snort.

[tinpis]

19? The aircraft was registered as VH-DRE.

19? The aircraft was acquired by the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

19? The aircraft was re-registered as VH-FDT and was named "Eric Donaldson".

19? The aircraft was acquired by Air Melanesia and was re-registered as VP-PAP.


http://www.cnapg.org/drover.htm

[HarleyD]

Don't know that I would exactly say that it flew like a chippy, though it did have a lot in common, sort of half way between a chippy and a beaver. Possibly the easiest tial wheeler to grease on that I have ever flown, some days you couldn't tell when the wheels were on the ground!! really!!

I obviously haven't mastered inserting pictures as you can see...

http://www.cnapg.org/266.jpg

[pithblot]

I think a Drover crashed on Trefoil Is in the 70's. That's a poky little strip so I guess it says something about the aeroplane's rough/short field ability. Was it recovered and partly restored by someone in Tassie?

If the Drover flys like a Chippie, then it would get my vote. I reckon the DHC 1 is the nicest machine I've had the pleasure to fly :)

[gassed budgie]

Couldn't help myself. Just in case you've forgotten what a superb machine these are.....................

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2315/commander41om3.jpg

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/6092/commander51mi0.jpg

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/9405/commander61yu8.jpg
Commander 1000 s/n 96208. The very last Commander built, it has some local history. It was first operated by the DOT back in the late 80's to early 90's as VH-LTM.

[hoggsnortrupert]

Budgie:
I gotta admit, I would love to get my hands on one of those, the Shrike and old Ac 50, are brilliant, I had a go in a 690 back in 86 out of Wiley Post Bethany Okl,.
You are a lucky Bstar'd, ****e man ! maybe you could Offer me some THEARAPY?:ooh::ooh::ooh::ooh:
Chr's
H/Snort

[Cyclone Bob]

Hoggsnort

sure that drover wasn't on Ambae? I thought it was in the jungle off the side of the Longana strip.

[hoggsnortrupert]

BOBBOB? :D "I think" you are correct, knew someone would place it:

H/Snort

[bushy]

I think the B200C that we used in the RFDS was the nicest aeroplane I ever flew, and it was a surprisingly good bush aeroplane. We had the Raisbeck mods and high floatation gear which helped a lot. It had 240 volt electric power on board for the medics, and a separate battery and electrical system for them.
An interhospital transfer from Alice Springs to Adelaide and back was a nice comfortable days work in that machine. Except for one night when I got diverted to Blackstone range, in WA when we were on the way home.
The DH Drover was different. Strangely they only built about 14 of them. Chookair in Adelaide used one for a while, going down to the island. One day it had a "similtaneous triple engine failure" but made it to land for an uneventful landing. Drovers were operating in Fiji in the 1950's.
The Partenavia is not popular amongst pilots as it does not have lots of things that go up and down, or switches in the roof, but it is a useful machine.
I once brought a full load of DCA people back to Alice from the Rock in one of them in IFR weather. Legally. But they had to leave their breifcases behind.
I also flew one of them non stop from Alice to Adelaide at night when the local oil exploration guy had to get the months data tapes to Canada in a hurry.We had three POB.

[Jedi]

Not sure if it counts, but what about the one that started it all…

the ‘KITTY HAWK’:ok:

[hoggsnortrupert]

Longana:
Bobbob: If my memory serves me correct, name aside, Santo to Wallaha, then going clockwise it was the first or second stop:
H/Snort

[Howard Hughes]

the ‘KITTY HAWK’
While it may have had two props, I thought it only had one engine, so that would make it a single by my calculation! Along the same lines as twin helicopters only have one rotor (some boeings excepted of course), but they have two engines, so they are twins!! ;)

[markben]

Cant go past the Cheyenne LS 400, with its STOL performance and ability to cruise at FL410, and the fact some smart operators have chosen them over a Citation or King Air, is a tribute to how good they really are!!! :}
With 1000SHP per side, it can only be fun.....

[rcoight]

PA44 / Duchess - Good initial twin trainers. Not much use beyond that.
Seneca - MK I the less said the better :eek:. MK II on significant improvement.
C310 - Nice, comfortable. Reasonable handling. Seating position takes a bit of getting used to (like being on a barstool at the dining table!).
Aerostar - Without doubt the nicest aircraft to fly of the lot. Beautiful handling, great performance, reasonable load carrying. And totally undeserving of it's reputation (usually put forward by those who have never flown one). It just needs to be flown regularly by a competent and well trained pilot. Not one for the novices!
PA31 series - does the job well, but feels like a big old truck compared to some others. Woeful climb when heavy, but reasonable cruise.
C400 series - nicer in all respects than the PA31. C414A is a beautiful aircraft - comfortable, quiet, reasonably quick. But doesn't carry much.
AC500 - amazing aircraft. I am still astounded at what it can carry and how good it's field performance is. Handling is also very nice indeed (another Ted Smith design - anyone who hasn't flown one is missing out). Could be a bit quicker and quieter though. :}
.

[gaunty]

markben

In it's day a Conquest 11 could still beat a Cheyenne LS400 coast to coast either way.:ok:

[markben]

Gday Gaunty,

Not too many Conquests up at FL410 ;)

Marker B

[rearwhelsteer888]

"In it's day a Conquest 11 could still beat a Cheyenne LS400 coast to coast either way."

Gaunty, I don't think so!
PA42-100 400ls high speed cruise 352kts at over FL400 would sh*t on any 441 i've ever flown.
Even the dash 10s would be very lucky to get over 300kts
Never flown 400ls, maybe they would need to refuel half way using those cruise settings.
RWS888:E

[gaunty]

markben

Question for you: What extra performance, abilities and fuel efficiencies are brought to or are able to be wrung out of an aircraft when Chuck Yeager is at the controls than say you or me. :E :rolleyes: Maybe its his interminable blowhard that helps. :{

There has been one in Aus before, but then the owner replaced it with a Citation Bravo??.

It is a rocket ship, but anyone can build one of those, it's whether it actually works and sells that is the hard bit. And whether it will do all of those things at the same time is another thing altogether.

Read my original response again, carefully.

I would still have beaten you coast to coast in my Conquest 11.

rearwhelsteer888 there is some wisdom buried at the end of your post.:ok:

[Capt Fathom]

Cheyenne 400 :ugh:

I guess the Thread Title does say 'Your Favourite Twin'.

Maybe it should have read 'Favourite Twins You Have Flown'...:rolleyes:

Then we won't have to listen to SR71 stories !!! :uhoh:

[Towering Q]

(like being on a barstool at the dining table!).
That describes the C310's pilot seating position perfectly. Always tricky in a crosswind landing from the right...you can have either idle power or right aileron...but not both.:uhoh::eek::{

[gaunty]

C310
(like being on a barstool at the dining table!) isn't it great, :D same front of house as the 400 series too, great view, heaps of elbow room and the best seat in the house.:ok:

Towering Q
you can have either idle power or right aileron...but not both ??? help me out here mate, you can make them sit up and beg in any crosswind right through to the landing roll even unto kissing it on with a roller on the upwind wheel. :)

[maui]

Towering Q.

Gaunty beat me to it. What are you on about.

If you can't operate ailerons full left to right with you left hand only, you've got to seriously consider the toll your nocturnal activities are taking on your left hand dexterity.

Maui

[Howard Hughes]

IT CLIMBS! The 400LS holds the fastest time to climb record in its class and category (set by Chuck Yeager).
IT CAN GO HIGH! The 400LS can climb to and cruise at an altitude of 41,000 feet!
ITS FAST! The 400LS can cruise at speeds up to 400 MPH!
HEAVY HAULER! The 400LS is capable of carrying up to 9 passengers plus crew!
ENDURANCE! The 400LS is capable of traveling up to 2000 miles (1890 nautical miles)!
This maybe so, but like all aircraft, it cannot manage two of these performance feats AT THE SAME TIME!! :rolleyes:

Aircraft just don't work like that, not any I have flown anyway.;)

[GF4RCE]

well don’t know about all you folks as indeed everyone has diff. tastes but any metal tube with a pair of wings slapped on to it with all the other aerodynamic contraptions along with 2 or more rotating stallions that has more than one zero's is a pleasure to fly...
http://www.turkpilot.com/images/avatar/pilot_smoke.gif

[markben]

Gday Gaunty,

I didnt say that uncle Chuck provided an extra anything, but I did say he was the one who set the record...... maybe he saw the writing on the wall and positioned himself well to be that lucky aviator. :E

Its my choice, maybe I just like 1000shp per side!!!

Only been a passenger up front on the conquest so cant really comment on them. Well you have to refuel at some time, suppose I like the extra power extra and speed. :ok:


Ben Beacon

[Towering Q]

maui, all I am saying is that the space available between the right side of the control wheel (when holding right wing down) and the throttle levers in the power off position, won't accommodate my right leg (assuming I wish to leave the attached foot on the rudder).... the 'left hand dexterity', although it could be better:ooh: doesn't factor into it.

[Pinky the pilot]

If I may be permitted a slight digression into the realms of dreams.......

Either a DH Mosquito
or a
Lockheed P38

Reality beckons, so a Chieftain will do...........for now!

[maui]

Towering Q.

Is the name something to do with your stature, and could this be a problem unique to those of you over 7 ft tall?

Maui

[kiwiblue]

ahhhh Pinky, the DH Mosquito would indeed be a dream come true!

[Pinky the pilot]

kiwiblue; Way back in the early 80s when I was doing CPL theory, at one stage I attended some evening lectures in Basic Gas Turbines. One evening the lecturer digressed for a while and the subject of the Merlin in its various applications came up.

The Lecturer was a Kiwi and claimed that he knew of a Kiwi farmer who had not one but two intact Mosquitos, slowly rotting away, in a large shed on his property and had been known to escort any prospective purchasers off the property at gunpoint!!:eek:

Urban legend, fact or bar talk??:confused::hmm:

If there was any truth in the story I have absolutely no idea, but if indeed such a circumstance existed at the time I weep for the airframes!!:{:{

Such aircraft should be in a properly constituted museum at the least!!:ok:

[Ratshit]

Pinky
The story of the Kiwi farmer with a Mosie in his shed was about when I was in Kiwiland in the early 80s. I heard it as one - did not hear about possibly two.
I do recall talking to Harold Bennett (notorious Departmental examiner) over a few beers about flying the Mosie. When in the airforce after the war he was charged with flying one that came into NZAF hands. Apparently it was a case of aeroplane in one hand - POH in the other - and away you go.
My old man was a wireless operator/air gunner on Baltimores in the middle-East during the war. His favorite aircraft was the Mosquito!
R

[gaunty]

Pinky mate, just like the dozen or so brand new Mustangs in boxes in a NIssen hut up one of the rivers/creeks that run off the Mitchell Plateau near Truscott, supposed to have been left there at the end of hostilities and forgotten. :ok::ok:

[Pinky the pilot]

Gaunty me old; Never heard that one but don'tcha wish it were true???:{:{

[kiwiblue]

kiwiblue; Way back in the early 80s when I was doing CPL theory, at one stage I attended some evening lectures in Basic Gas Turbines. One evening the lecturer digressed for a while and the subject of the Merlin in its various applications came up.

The Lecturer was a Kiwi and claimed that he knew of a Kiwi farmer who had not one but two intact Mosquitos, slowly rotting away, in a large shed on his property and had been known to escort any prospective purchasers off the property at gunpoint!!:eek:

I wondered if that was going to come up when I replied to your original mention of the DH98!

Indeed Pinky, it is fact. I wonder if we had the same BGT lecturer... Bob Guard was mine, told some fascinating stories of his experiences down the Kaikouras one night back in the late '70's too...

Anyway I digress. 'Twas back around 1980-81 when I did CPL theory at Nelson Aviation College with 'ol 'Valter Vagtendonk' (good bloke, still going anyone know?) we were told the same story, with the location given as Mapua, not that far away. So of a Sunday, the whole course piled into the few cars we had, and off to Mapua in search of this eccentric old git by the name of Smith (in truth!), whose home we eventually found on the top of a hill. We were just making our way up his drive when we were met by a couple of snarling dogs and the man himself carrying a shotgun -loaded with saltpetre he later told us, but not something any of us were game to put to the test. Basically he wanted us to persist off, but after a bit of fast talking, he agreed to show us his collection.

Up his drive, adjacent to the house was a big 'ol shed, for all the world a barn. I'll never forget him sliding those doors open to reveal the Mosquito sitting there, with a Tiger Moth parked under her nose! What a sight!!!

She's complete, a pair of Merlins, basically brand-new (he used to start her twice a year he reckoned) wing-spars cut outboard of the nacelles, so never restorable to any more than static/taxiing condition. A 250lb bomb sitting on the rack in the bomb-bay and at least 2 .303's in the nose mount. Getting into the cockpit was like stepping back in time -absolutely 'as new' condition, with (from memory) something like 36 & 37 hours showing on the tacho clocks. The old trailing antenna HF radio was there, not a chip off its face with the antenna reel and handle also... an amazing experience! I used to have some photo's of it all, but they'll be in storage somewhere, back in Aotearoa.

There was only the one DH98, but probably parts of others there... the place was a mess of aircraft and parts. There were several DH82, sections of Venom and Vampire (he could probably have built at least a couple of each), radial engines, instruments, other airframes that I couldn't identify and now can no longer remember... it was in truth an Aladdins' cave for an aviation buff!!!

I have no idea of what became of the 'collection' or indeed the man himself -he'd be an old codger now if still going. I do remember him saying though that the Airforce Museum would never see even a bent screw from his collection... he was pretty dark on them, for whatever reason. I've never been back, but may in future make the effort to find out whatever became of it all, would be interesting! Would especially love to see that Mosquito restored. When last I saw her she was painted in pinkish house-primer, as a 'preservative'... I did mention he was eccentric!

Another highlight of my time up there was meeting and spending an evening with 'Popeye' Lucas at his daughters place, out the other side of Richmond if I remember correctly. Another fascinating character with a wealth of stories and knowledge to relate! Very welcoming and I retain to this day a healthy respect for his ability with a bottle of whisky!!! Strange, don't recall how I got home that night... He passed away only a few months later.

Great days indeed :)

[tinpis]

John Smith , Mapua (http://www.mossie.org/images/NZ2336/Brendon_Deere/mosmapua.jpg)

cockpit (http://www.mossie.org/images/NZ2336/Mark_Wade/moscock.jpg)

[kiwiblue]

well done Tinpis! Looks like those were taken before my visit... when I was there the shed had been built around the Mossie -the shed would have had to be taken apart to get her out! But now you have me worried that maybe I know you, from back through the mists of time... :sad:


Whilst enjoying a cup of coffee after previous post, I was reflecting on the DH98. Some years ago, there was an article in NZ (now Pacific) Wings about a bloke somewhere S of AKL I think building full-scale replica Mosquitos, using the original construction techniques -quite an exciting prospect! However, I've heard no more of the project. Does anyone know what became of it/him??? Obviously none were completed -would have heard of that for sure!

[tinpis]

mossie rebuild Kiwistani (http://www.mossie.org/NZ2308.htm) :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[kiwiblue]

Brilliant tinpis!!! Thanks! Looking forward to seeing the fruits of these labours!

[1279shp]

Clue: Had the wing area of a Cessna Cardinal, weighed 10,800lbs MTO, had 665shp each side, and NO ailerons.

Answer: The Mitsi Mu-2 Rice Rocket.

Loved em, though one was responsible for the scariest flight of my career to date! :eek:

[Pinky the pilot]

Well well; It seems that occasionally the apocryphal story has more than a little truth to it!!!
Thank you kiwiblue for confirming the basics of that story I heard way back then. And yes, if the grey matter has'nt been too damaged by good Aussie Red wine over the years, we did have the same BGT lecturer.:ok:
My initial opinion still stands; That airframe belongs in a proper museum!!!
And for what its worth; I know about three people whom are qualified in the construction/maitenance of wooden aircraft (albeit Sailplanes) and IMHO would be more than capable of constructing new wings for said airframe.
I'm told that the relevant plans and specifications are still available.......

[kiwiblue]

...we did have the same BGT lecturer.

a top man too. Did he ever show you the pics from that F27 flight down the Kaikouras? He was an interesting bloke to yarn with!

That airframe belongs in a proper museum!!!
And for what its worth; I know about three people whom are qualified in the construction/maitenance of wooden aircraft (albeit Sailplanes) and IMHO would be more than capable of constructing new wings for said airframe.
I'm told that the relevant plans and specifications are still available.......

Couldn't agree more. In truth, there was a shed-full of stuff that any aviation museum in the world would have slavered over. But as I mentioned, he was pretty dark on the Airforce Museum (the only real contender in NZ in those days) and an outright eccentric.

The skills to restore/rebuild a machine like that are definitely still extant... have you had a look at Tinpis' links? Another couple... Colin Smith from Mandeville (http://www.croydonaircraft.com/) (down south) NZ, who does some amazing work on other older DH airframes, and of course OFMC (http://www.ofmc.co.uk/) in the UK. I've visited both of these places, Mandeville several times and in both cases left extremely impressed with the care, skill, precision and absolute craftsmanship of those involved in these restorations. Simply superb work.

[tinpis]

I remembry calling into John Smiths place about 40+ years ago
There were P40 and Mustang I think and all still had a good coat of paint on them
He was an ornery old coot then which is normal for Kiwi farmers
The farm he has would be worth $gazillions on the Real Estate market now

[777WakeTurbz]

Cant believe it...

Noone has even mentioned the famed P68!! :eek:

[kiwiblue]

...the famed P68!!

and the reason for that could be, it is famed for all the wrong reasons!!!

[tinpis]

Ah yes...the P-68 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wY3Sb-C1BE):hmm:

[777WakeTurbz]

LOL, and i thought only LAMES hated them... :}

Cmon, they arent that bad... "IF" you dont try and loop them and tear the wings off... :E

Turbz :cool:

[multi_engined]

Beechcraft 76 Duchess

It's the only GA twin I have flown... :ok:

[turbolager]

Beech 18 - twin radials and a taildragger.. makes noise like a WWII movie :ok:

Twin Otter - most fun you can have on props? :}

[vee tail]

De-Havillnd Sea Devon ( Dove with a grapple )
G1000/690

They both make lots of really cool noises:E:E

[Fantome]

The Beagle 206 handled like a big Chippie. Heavy, she'd need earth's curvature to fly. The owner I flew for christened his Winston Spencer Beagle. When light she was a well schooled pony, no less a thoroughbred than the highly esteemed AC50, but what a panoramic view by comparison!

The late Brian Walker (BJ), who could do anything with a Mossie in his heyday, (as Cinesound clips show well), flew the DH103 Hornet in England in 1948, and always said it was the best and most perfectly harmonised aeroplane by far he'd ever flown. And he'd flown a few in his many active years.

By the way, can anything good be said about the handling qualities of the Metro?

[ithinkso]

definately the thirs stop out of santo. santo walaha longana. and the aircraft is a t longana. bit overgrown now.

[markben]

WTF!!!! :eek:

[hoggsnortrupert]

Matey thanks for the clarification, certainly has been awhile:
One of the most interesting places I have ever flown, even now I do miss it.
A thread by some (I think) european on Safety about wind shear? should take him into Wallaha? cliff one end, Mountain the other???
As I say I do miss it:
Fly well & Keep safe.
H/Snort:ok: