Wanted: Ride in an EP9 Prospector

[BugSpeed]

Pruners,

Its a long story BUT I fancy a ride in an EP9.

To that end, does anyone know anyone who knows either Jan Christie in the USA or the owner/operator of -PWZ in New Zealand? I have a letter drafted for their attention :ok:

No reply from Jan on the last postal address I tried!

PM me if you do.

BS

[Tagron]

ZK-PWZ is registered to Kairanga Aviation Ltd at Palmerston North. Info from NZ CAA data base, but can't help with contact name.

[R.J.de Montalk]

Hallett Griffin

[BugSpeed]

Thanks RJ,

Check your PM's.

Tagron - thank you too. Will have a look to dig out the full contact details from that website.

BS

[bcgallacher]

I had a short ride in one of these weird aircraft - fitted with a lycoming engine I think. All I really remember is the noise and the fact that the cockpit seemed a long way up!

[Speedbird48]

I saw one in Alberta a month or so ago. It was in good shape but the wings were off and sitting nearby.

Might take a few minutes to get that one going again for you.

Speedbird 48.

[Rosevidney1]

Wandering off the point somewhat, I remember long ago being told by one of my instructors at Middle Wallop who had flown the EP-9 on trials that he preferred it to the DHC-2 Beaver. (To prevent anguished cries from loyal DHC fans, he also liked the Beaver!)

[GQ2]

Digressing - albeit slightly.....was the EP9 EWP's last complete design..? I suspect it was. He was reputed to have been working on designs right up to the end of his life... Has anyone any idea what they were, and if anything became of them.....?:confused:

[Mr_Grubby]

Blackbushe, 1970.

C.

http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.gurry/Dadsphotos/airport162.jpg

[PPRuNe Pop]

It was many moons ago now, but I flew one backwards! All that is needed is the wind that helps such a lot! It never really caught on did it, but it created quite a lot of fun for those who flew it.

[Mr_Grubby]

Wow Pop!!

Come on, you must let us have more details !!!

C.:ok::ok:

[D120A]

I was told (by someone who was there and who is a frequent contributor to PPRuNe) that the EP9, when evaluated at Boscombe Down, was the aircraft that generated in its evaluation report the famous comment:

"Entry to the cockpit is difficult. It should be made impossible".

[I16]

Two EP9's left Stapleford on September 19th 1957 bound for Australia.
Each with a dismantled racing car as well as passenger on board!

[Rosevidney1]

"Entry to the cockpit is difficult. It should be made impossible".

In fact I think you'll find that the famous quote goes back to the Martlesham Heath days. :)

[LowNSlow]

I think the cockpit entry comment was first made about the Armstrong Whitworth Albermarle.

[kluge]

Jan Christie's E.P.9 "Strange bird from a different nest" article published in EAA Sport Aviation December 2002.

It's a good article with good pics. Cockpit pic in particular sort of a cross between a Chipmunk and an Auster but with spade grips !

Some PPRUNE background also.
Ep9 [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums (http://www.pprune.org/archive/index.php/t-163835.html)


Wonder if its still for sale? A very unusual quirky beast.

[Noyade]

I remember seeing VH-DAI a Wangaratta Airworld in the early 90's, no idea what became of it when the museum closed.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/3441/800pxep9prospectorvhdai.jpg (http://img823.imageshack.us/i/800pxep9prospectorvhdai.jpg/)

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7562/img252x.jpg (http://img694.imageshack.us/i/img252x.jpg/)

[I16]

Interesting post Noyade.
EP9 Airframe # 28 was flown out by Austin Miller with a Cooper Climax F2 on board.
Airframe #27 flown by Ernie Tadgel had a Lotus 12 on board.
From what you have been able to send it took them about 4 weeks to make the trip.

BugSpeed, that would have been a flight to remember!

[windriver]

A couple of period ads from aviationancestry...

http://www.aviationancestry.com/Aircraft/EdgarPercival/EdgarPercival-Prospector-1960-1.jpg

http://www.aviationancestry.com/Aircraft/EdgarPercival/EdgarPercival-EP9-1957-3.jpg

[Noyade]

Chinese impostor? Anyone have more on the "Red Banner No.1", circa 1962?

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6867/img257v.jpg (http://img839.imageshack.us/i/img257v.jpg/)

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/2261/img258.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/i/img258.jpg/)

[Super Cecil]

EP9's were flown with Airfarm in Australia in the late 50's, early 60's. Some were fitted with Cheetah radials? What ever they were they had to grease tappets every refueling.

[BugSpeed]

Thanks for all the posts guys!!!

Thought this thread had stopped not long after I managed to get in contact with Hallett Griffin; first time I've checked it since December.

I had no idea there was such an EP9 following.

As I said, I have been in touch with Hallett and just need to get myself out to NZ apparently.

I would seriously consider importing one back in the UK to operate as a historic tribute but that is a way off yet (I hear the RSA one might be going cheaply seeing as it has no paperwork!).

G-AOZO as a matter of interest, Mr Grubby, ended up in my family's hands and hence my interest in the subject.

If anyone hears of an EP9 up for sale / requiring a pilot then let me know.

BS

[chimbu warrior]

I think you will find that the ex-Airworld Wangaratta machine is now owned by Todd Miller. As previously mentioned, it was flown from the UK by his father.

Still under restoration I think (as VH-EPN).

[Sir George Cayley]

Only its mother could love it. :eek:

SGC

[lawrence hole]

This picture was taken by me in 1958 at Bankstown, Sydney when I had some leave from Christmas Island after nuclear tests.http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac345/aerofoil/documents072.jpg?t=1345996253:) Sorry for the blue sky effect !