Latrobe Valley Aero Club - Prop Blade on Display

[Fris B. Fairing]

On Anzac Day 1974, Cessna 210 VH-KMF was conducting an aerial survey over the Latrobe Valley when it lost a prop blade. The aircraft was landed safely at Latrobe Valley. It is reported that the prop blade was later found embedded in a pine tree and then subsequently displayed above the bar at the LVAC. Can anyone confirm?

Rgds

[VH-XXX]

Try ringing them, there are a number of props on display there.

Telephone.(03) 5174 2591

[AussieNick]

I dont recall anything that would resemble the stated prop blade been on show there anymore

[HarleyD]

I get down that way from time to time and seem to recall several props around the club house.

There is a Wapiti prop, a Hisso SE5a prop, a seneca 1 prop, a big wooden prop off a wind generator (looks just like an aircraft prop, but solid not laminated), two Fairey Reed props, there used to be a Perfectus Tiger prop but don’t recall seeing it last time,….and a metal prop tip which is polished and mounted on a bit of wood…...not sure of the story behind it but will try to find out next time I am down that way and have a chat with JW OAM.

HD

[The Green Goblin]

If its like most aero clubs, there should be no shortage of bent props laying around to display :} (especially if they operate M20J's)

[Fris B. Fairing]

Thanks to all who have responded. I rang the LVAC who checked their very fine propellor collection but could not locate the item in question. The LVAC referred me to JW (presumably the same JW mentioned by HarleyD) and he was able to confirm that the blade was surrendered to DCA and was never displayed in the Aero Club. Another furphy laid to rest.

As an interesting postscript to this, the camera operator who was on board VH-KMF when it lost the prop is now living in NZ, as is VH-KMF itself which is based not far from his residence and still going strong as ZK-KMF. This coincidence did not emerge until we began researching the story.

Rgds

[VH-XXX]

For what it's worth, here are the props that they have there.

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~njah1/prop1.JPG

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~njah1/prop2.JPG

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~njah1/prop3.JPG

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~njah1/prop4.JPG

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~njah1/prop5.JPG

[Fris B. Fairing]

VH-XXX

Many thanks for going to all that trouble. It is indeed a fine collection.

Rgds

[HarleyD]

VH-XXX,

I did not see you at the Airshow on Sunday, mind you I was otherwise occupied from time to time!

Added: You missed the two prop tips in the display cabinet.

[VH-XXX]

Didn't see you there either!

I was parked at the western end of the visiting aircraft section after negotiating my way over the cattle bridge and pot holes :bored:

I'll have a closer look next time for the extended collection.

Always a pleasure Mr. Fairing, it really was no trouble, the camera was already warmed up.

[kimberleyEx]

Sorry for the thread drift guys....

How was the airshow? Good attendance? Were the flying displays worth a look?

K-Ex

[HarleyD]

LV Airshow.

Low key counrty airshow, mainly for locals to see their airport in action as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of this site.

Several cancellations due to garbage weather all day Fri, Sat and Sunday morning even.

Attendance not huge but OK considering the cold windy conditions.

Highlights - all events really.

Skydivers - only one (suspected) broken ankle from 5 intrepid jumpers
Ben Lappin - 17 yo school boy and aerobatic champion in his (dad's) pitts s1
The Vampire from OAC - Bernie put on a good show
Gerard Lappin - Aerobatics in the IS 28 Glider (towed by Michelle Lappin?)
Extra 300 - Paul Andronicus aeros display.
GA8 Airvan - Turbo charged version demonstration by Gerard Lappin (stand in for DW who was Ringmaster/PA announcer)
Woorayl Airservice - Fire bombing display by Tim Foster in Drom
Jeff Trappet - polished aeros performance in polished Mustang
R22 helo display - Jim Wickham ( couldn't get the Yak 9 there so came along with Jenny in the Robbo.)
The Roulettes - 20 min of their latest display, high standard as usual despite conditions and strong on crowd wind.
Departures.

2 1/2 hours of entertainment for the great unwashed, as well as some fly-bys prior by Sport Aircraft, all for $10 adults $5 teenagers, kids free.

Beers after, but all made sure to be 00.0020000 %BA the next morning, ey Meggs.

HD

at the end of the day - NCD, crowd happy and well fed

[VH-XXX]

Good to hear DW was the ringmaster and not that other guy who's been doing the rounds. U know who. Didn't realise DW was doing the commentary.

As usual the Roulettes did their full display in stark contrast to the civil regulations for airshows where they perform over and towards the crowd line. They seemed a bit lower than normal, was wondering if they took the near 120' elevation into consideration for the valley. It seems crazy that they perform these moderately risky manoeuvres towards the crowd, yet they are exempt from the civil regs. It's not like military aircraft don't crash at airshows and it's not like they haven't crashed into each other before!

[HarleyD]

XXX

Display by roulettes was according to Hoyle I was monitoring VHF . They checked local QNH prior to run in and set calculated QFE for the display. maybe the size of the crowd and other factors determine individual display height, I don't know, but it was certainly a nice display, especially considering the wind. Better show than Avalon, even if it was the same, which it didn't seem like. Their smoke was bit crap but they had already done one show that day and had topped smoke system with jet A1 which thins it out a bit.

HD

Added: almost fell off my vantage point with laughter watching the Nord taxiing with that trailing link main gear, every time he jabbed the brakes on one side that wing would dip quite a lot, looked like it was walking to its parking spot. Must be a pretty forgiving undercarriage for a trainer. fuel injected so it was jetting black smoke when on the ground. P&D injection i suppose, don't know much about those engines.

[VH-XXX]

Certainly better than the Avalon display when they didn't even show :rolleyes:

No idea what the Nord is that you speak of.

[HarleyD]

Try this link:

Photos: Nord 3202 Master Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Nord-3202-Master/1142081/M/)

I think this may even be the same aircraft seeing as the colour scheme looks the same. owned by GG who had a chippy originally and now has esoteric collection of european and eastern bloc aircraft.

HD

[VH-XXX]

Thanks, I did see that and wondered what it was.