The Home of Photos in Dunnunda! Mk I
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: back in the land of OZ
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That yours Warbo?
Might be coming through Moree in a few weeks in the 180 on the way back from SA..
Long time no see
Hippy
Might be coming through Moree in a few weeks in the 180 on the way back from SA..
Long time no see
Hippy
Last edited by heywatchthis; 18th Mar 2009 at 12:44.
Tac and Cgg
Had me wondering if it was TAC. It was a great machine and my first mount in PNG. Was doing an Islander endorsement when Chuck had his mishap in it, had done the same thing a couple of weeks earlier and got away with it. Our 185s did not have fuel selectors hence the finger trouble. The good news is Tac is/has been rebuilt in Sydney by a Skydive operation I think. A very similar scheme to the one pictured. I sent the owner photos of her time in PNG. The Milky Bar kid flew it after me than she was left essentially derilect in Nadzab and picked up corrosion.
Back to our trip it was great to go back after 20 years in some cases and check out the old strips. Most are just faint wheel tracks and seldom if ever used. Had to say to Chuck 'I will have to fly this one since I have not bee there for years and may not be able to find it if it is still there'. Will start poking into some of the shorter Strips now I am current again.The old guys that did the venison flying etc are fading from the scene and the new generation are more interested in helicopters, hence the lack of use in the remote places. But there is still a lively interest in the Aircraft and some younger blokes about. Also have noticed some of the Older Airframes are starting to fall by the wayside. Like CGG was they just need a full refurbishment in the end due age. Unless you get the Hull for about nothing and do much of the work yourself as Chuck is the cost is prohibitive. Would not be able to do CGG now due to the massive labour cost. So it is great to see such wonderful old machines as P2 Tac rebuilt, she will be good for a further 40 years and you cant say that about a Robbie!
Back to our trip it was great to go back after 20 years in some cases and check out the old strips. Most are just faint wheel tracks and seldom if ever used. Had to say to Chuck 'I will have to fly this one since I have not bee there for years and may not be able to find it if it is still there'. Will start poking into some of the shorter Strips now I am current again.The old guys that did the venison flying etc are fading from the scene and the new generation are more interested in helicopters, hence the lack of use in the remote places. But there is still a lively interest in the Aircraft and some younger blokes about. Also have noticed some of the Older Airframes are starting to fall by the wayside. Like CGG was they just need a full refurbishment in the end due age. Unless you get the Hull for about nothing and do much of the work yourself as Chuck is the cost is prohibitive. Would not be able to do CGG now due to the massive labour cost. So it is great to see such wonderful old machines as P2 Tac rebuilt, she will be good for a further 40 years and you cant say that about a Robbie!
The photos posted by Warbo are VH-SLC... she was a float plane and was speared into a sandbank, as I understand it 
I haven't seen it up close but looks like a nice job - this is the second C185 Warbo's mate has rebuilt.
I haven't seen it up close but looks like a nice job - this is the second C185 Warbo's mate has rebuilt.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Australia
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A question for you 185 pilots. Why do they all seem to have 2 blade props? I thought 3 blade might be better for take off performance and ground clearance.
There is also a very smart C185 at YARM. GNS530, flush rivetted etc.
Looking forward to learning more on PPRuNe!
cheers.
Nivo
PS - loved the NZ pics and video CC!!
There is also a very smart C185 at YARM. GNS530, flush rivetted etc.
Looking forward to learning more on PPRuNe!
cheers.
Nivo
PS - loved the NZ pics and video CC!!
Grandpa Aerotart
Bushy the cross bars are seaplane kit to stiffen the airframe...CGG doesn't need them because she was modified by Fieldair for top dressing so has massively strengthened wings and fuse to take the hopper and general abuse. She's stiffer than any seaplane kit 185 by a large margin. The cross bars are REALLY good to swing off when getting in and out though.
Two bladed props were standard when new..three blades look cool and are smoother but, until the advent of scimitar props, were marginally better off the ground, not much in it in climb and slower in cruise. Theoretically the most efficient prop would be a single blade but its not a practical proposition for obvious reasons. Too a 3 blade prop is next to useless on anything with less than 300hp.
Nice paint job on BVS/TAC
Anyone want to hazard a guess why Cessna didn't put the 185 back in production? Surely they didn't crush the jigs like they did to the 210 jigs. Seems to me a lot of people are spending cubic money rebuilding old ones to as new standard so there might be a market for new build C185s...mind you rebuilding to 'as new' is probably cheaper than a real new build....you aint paying to cover Cessna against product liability issues for the next 20 years - a BIG part of the new sticker price.
Two bladed props were standard when new..three blades look cool and are smoother but, until the advent of scimitar props, were marginally better off the ground, not much in it in climb and slower in cruise. Theoretically the most efficient prop would be a single blade but its not a practical proposition for obvious reasons. Too a 3 blade prop is next to useless on anything with less than 300hp.
Nice paint job on BVS/TAC
Anyone want to hazard a guess why Cessna didn't put the 185 back in production? Surely they didn't crush the jigs like they did to the 210 jigs. Seems to me a lot of people are spending cubic money rebuilding old ones to as new standard so there might be a market for new build C185s...mind you rebuilding to 'as new' is probably cheaper than a real new build....you aint paying to cover Cessna against product liability issues for the next 20 years - a BIG part of the new sticker price.
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 19th Mar 2009 at 08:53.
Why do they all seem to have 2-blade props? I thought 3 blade might be better for take off performance and ground clearance
That's a proper 185 with the strenghtening bars to the top of the panel
The cross-bracing comes with the seaplane kit. Many 185s that were never intended for floats were ordered with them. A mate of mine owes the fact that his head is still connected to his body to the cross-bracing! The top cowl made a very determined attempt to come through the windscreen and decapitate him when he rolled his 185 (VH-KFT, twin of KGT) up in a ball ............ but that is a whole other story!
Dr
Grandpa Aerotart
Saw one at the 180/185 fly in with an IO550 and 3 blade scimitar prop...might have been Cracker's old girl but don't quote me.
The fruits of my labour the last 4 days.
Most of which was cleaning corrosion off ring frames that had to be cleaned in situ, unlike the forward frames which I de riveted and bead blasted before 2 pack etching.
Also riveted a bunch of stuff together today and didn't ****, and therefore have to drill out and do again, a single one...new record set.
The fruits of my labour the last 4 days.
Most of which was cleaning corrosion off ring frames that had to be cleaned in situ, unlike the forward frames which I de riveted and bead blasted before 2 pack etching.
Also riveted a bunch of stuff together today and didn't ****, and therefore have to drill out and do again, a single one...new record set.
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 19th Mar 2009 at 09:25.
Grandpa Aerotart
Nothing in those photos is not original...just removed (by me) bead blasted (by me) painted (by me) and reinstalled - you guessed it - by ME.
Enormously satisfying.
and a **** of a lot cheaper than saying to the engineers "Make it beautiful".
Enormously satisfying.
and a **** of a lot cheaper than saying to the engineers "Make it beautiful".
Anyone want to hazard a guess why Cessna didn't put the 185 back in production?
Whenever someone from Cessna was asked about the new 185 there was a lot of whistling and shuffling of feet.
Evidentally someone down the road at Textron thought it should've had (the 185) an IO-540 bolted to it.
Some sums were done and it was determined that by the time it was recertified with an IO-540 it would be too expensive (a bit like the 210).
Nothing official from Cessna on the subject, has been heard in over 10 years.
Cessna themselves sometime in the late 90's announced that they were considering puting the 185 (no mention was made of the 180) back into production.
Silly Old Git
Pig Isalnd hospitality?.....phooey..
A venison pilot in the 60s was told he couldnt use a hollowed log bathtub on a strip cos he stank too feckin' much
ZK-CGG, hmm reckon that in me book somewhere, Peter Matich, Taupo ? 60's? Seem to recall was an Aggie, trim on roof? Could be wrong.
Just an aside how many Rural Aviation dung duster pilots (180/185) are still standing?
A venison pilot in the 60s was told he couldnt use a hollowed log bathtub on a strip cos he stank too feckin' much
ZK-CGG, hmm reckon that in me book somewhere, Peter Matich, Taupo ? 60's? Seem to recall was an Aggie, trim on roof? Could be wrong.
Just an aside how many Rural Aviation dung duster pilots (180/185) are still standing?
Last edited by tinpis; 19th Mar 2009 at 22:15.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: W'town vic Australia
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KGT
Jeezuz Corkey,
I flew in KGT many years ago up northern Aus, Mt isa, Darwin, Cairns, and back to Brisbane.
I was pointing it in the direction of Bathurst Island at appox 1600 ft when 2 FA18s flew under us. bloody exciting.
the 2 pilots were Laurie and Tony also the owners at the time of KGT Bloody good plane and I think it was IF Rated as well.
Cheers Millski
I flew in KGT many years ago up northern Aus, Mt isa, Darwin, Cairns, and back to Brisbane.
I was pointing it in the direction of Bathurst Island at appox 1600 ft when 2 FA18s flew under us. bloody exciting.
the 2 pilots were Laurie and Tony also the owners at the time of KGT Bloody good plane and I think it was IF Rated as well.
Cheers Millski
Cessna considered putting the 185 back into production only if there were a certain number of orders. This did not eventuate.
2 blade vesus 3 blade:
Depends on diameter.
The 86" 3 blade on mine is the best things since sliced bread, in warm condition, with a heavy load. Compared to the 80" 3 blade it replaced, there is no contest. Reduced T/o rolls by 1/2 to 2/3.
The 80" 3 blade(thin blade) was a bit faster in cruise, however.
The big prop is about 4 kts slower. It is an excellent airbrake though.
if you pull power on finals, you can aim it at the ground and not build up much speed compared to the 80". It is also easier to slow down in the circut for the same reason. Cost $11k with spinner. Trouble with the 2 blades is that you can't get parts for them, and only recently is there a replacement available for the C58, which was the only 2 blade prop approved for the IO520 on the 185.
On my previous 185, I started with a 88" 2 blade. This packed a punch when compared with the later 82" 2 blade that came after it.
The main disadvantage with the 86" prop below, is the noise at 2850 rpm.
Meaty, ain't it.
2 blade vesus 3 blade:
Depends on diameter.
The 86" 3 blade on mine is the best things since sliced bread, in warm condition, with a heavy load. Compared to the 80" 3 blade it replaced, there is no contest. Reduced T/o rolls by 1/2 to 2/3.
The 80" 3 blade(thin blade) was a bit faster in cruise, however.
The big prop is about 4 kts slower. It is an excellent airbrake though.
if you pull power on finals, you can aim it at the ground and not build up much speed compared to the 80". It is also easier to slow down in the circut for the same reason. Cost $11k with spinner. Trouble with the 2 blades is that you can't get parts for them, and only recently is there a replacement available for the C58, which was the only 2 blade prop approved for the IO520 on the 185.
On my previous 185, I started with a 88" 2 blade. This packed a punch when compared with the later 82" 2 blade that came after it.
The main disadvantage with the 86" prop below, is the noise at 2850 rpm.
Meaty, ain't it.