TAA Cessna 180's in PNG
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Alaska, PNG, etc.
Age: 60
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Originally Posted by tinpis
And the big long wingtip is?
Couldn't find any photos from the same angle, but here's a couple that suggest similarity.
Lapalama 1977
P2-MFW at Lapalama in 1977, a Baptist Mission strip north of Mt Hagen. It's pilot that day said:
"It was one of a group of 5 strips which we shuttled between twice a week with around 12 – 20 flights per day. Quite steep, about 18% in the middle, with a sharp left turn needed straight after take-off ... a bit of a challenge".
When were body searches implimented in PNG ?
"It was one of a group of 5 strips which we shuttled between twice a week with around 12 – 20 flights per day. Quite steep, about 18% in the middle, with a sharp left turn needed straight after take-off ... a bit of a challenge".
When were body searches implimented in PNG ?
Collected MFU's IO-520D engine complete FWF, as well as the 3-Blade Hartzell prop in the past week. Still good times to run on both and they will be mounted on airframe asap. On the way to collecting these major components, also picked up 3 vertical fins in various state of repairs in order to complete the upper section of my fin. Looking good and the airframe is now 99.5% complete !
Join Date: May 2002
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Colloquially its called "the spider" and it maintains the pressure in the injector lines. Can't remember its proper name.
Many years ago the aero club where I was a member had a Comanche 260B which had one. There is a diaphragm in the middle with fuel on one side and air on the other, normally. This particular one had a pin hole in the diaphragm with led to much consternation when the engine lost power usually about 2 seconds after gear retraction.
Many years ago the aero club where I was a member had a Comanche 260B which had one. There is a diaphragm in the middle with fuel on one side and air on the other, normally. This particular one had a pin hole in the diaphragm with led to much consternation when the engine lost power usually about 2 seconds after gear retraction.
P2-MFUs elevators are on.
Boy's hung the elevators on past week or so to trial the fitting etc.
I think that when the tail feathers are on, I'll start to think we've got an airplane here !
I think that when the tail feathers are on, I'll start to think we've got an airplane here !
P2-MFU Maintenance Wewak
Great shot of MFU receiving maintenance at its Wewak MAF Base, I think around 1977 or so. These photo's are real time capsules and are being sent to me via the pilot's and LAME's that flew or worked on the C185 in that era. The engineer servicing MFU is Paulus.
In many cases, it's the first time they have seen the pictures themselves since taking them.
In many cases, it's the first time they have seen the pictures themselves since taking them.
Repairs in the field
An interesting snap shot of MFU being repaired in the field, some where in PNG.
No cargo pod and lots of bits laying about. 44 gallon drums to drain fuel I assume and pushed over into the corner of the airstrip. From MFU's colour scheme this is most likely in the mid 70's and is possibly at Eleptamen 8 Oct 74 or another unidentified incident on 21 Nov 75.
She had accumulated some 2,955 TTSN by then, some 3 years 9 months since first flight at Ballarat 2 Feb 1972. Heavy utilisation.
No cargo pod and lots of bits laying about. 44 gallon drums to drain fuel I assume and pushed over into the corner of the airstrip. From MFU's colour scheme this is most likely in the mid 70's and is possibly at Eleptamen 8 Oct 74 or another unidentified incident on 21 Nov 75.
She had accumulated some 2,955 TTSN by then, some 3 years 9 months since first flight at Ballarat 2 Feb 1972. Heavy utilisation.
Last edited by Skywagon1915; 3rd May 2012 at 22:28.
Mt Hagan airport
Classic 185 profile of MAF's P2-MFU about to park at Mt Hagan airport approx 1977.
The vertical fin, rudder, tail cone, spring and tail wheel assy's are now back on MFU for first time since 25 August 1990, which by then it was operated by Bensbach Lodge in PNG.
The vertical fin, rudder, tail cone, spring and tail wheel assy's are now back on MFU for first time since 25 August 1990, which by then it was operated by Bensbach Lodge in PNG.
P2-MFU Fin and Tail wheel assy installed.
A couple of pictures of the new rebuilt vertical fin, tail cone, spring and 8" tail wheel/fork assy back on MFU after 22 years. The fin is mounted temporary to check fitting etc. The major components here came from the USA, NZ as well as AUS. Still chasing main wheel axle's and cowl flaps, if anyone can help ?
Wing status
Work has started on the wings from P2-MFU. Good news is that both are in very clean condition with no corrosion, Cessna certainly splashed the green paint around in those days. The LH wings will require only minimal work with some skins, leading edges etc, with the worst damage in the RH wing, which will require front and back outer spars, ribs and skins etc. All in all, great news for my budget.
The flap tracks are going to be replaced as well and dual 450w retractable lights added to the outboard section. Will post some pic's of the internals asap.
These are the wings when collected in 2010 including a spare set from 185-0100
The flap tracks are going to be replaced as well and dual 450w retractable lights added to the outboard section. Will post some pic's of the internals asap.
These are the wings when collected in 2010 including a spare set from 185-0100
Last edited by Skywagon1915; 24th Jun 2012 at 22:37.
All that remains of P2-MFU's RH wing as it is disassembled for rebuild at Scone. Internals are in good order and this wing should be back together by end of July. This is the worst wing, with the LH one requiring minimal attention, other than new leading edges and some skins.
From the tear down, the hard life that these aircraft had in PNG was evident.
From the tear down, the hard life that these aircraft had in PNG was evident.
Last edited by Skywagon1915; 24th Jun 2012 at 21:50.
Mini Update PNG C185E
P2-MFU's main wheels now arrived. When mounted on the airframe, the engine/prop will be fitted + by end of August, wing's will most likely be ready to re-install. Time to talk to the upholstery and avionics people. Electrics will be re-wired as 24v.
Last edited by Skywagon1915; 5th Jul 2012 at 12:06.
MFU paint scheme's
Nice photo supplied to me showing the paint scheme MFU was wearing during its latter days in PNG, whilst operating out of Bensbach Lodge between 1985-90. On 25 August 1990, it ground looped at Balimo in the Western Province and was subsequently struck off the PNG register in 1996.
MAF pilot reunites with P2-MFU
"From Page 15: Winston Ussher later became MAF Mt Hagen Chief Pilot. He was a Pilot contractor for Mission Aviation Fellowship, in Cambodia and left October 2009 at the end of the contract.
Recent photo in Cambodia":
Winston recently met up with P2-MFU at Lismore undergoing it's restoration, first time since he last flew her in 1984. I think one of the nicest things about doing this rebuild has been meeting and talking to so many people who were involved with her !
Recent photo in Cambodia":
Winston recently met up with P2-MFU at Lismore undergoing it's restoration, first time since he last flew her in 1984. I think one of the nicest things about doing this rebuild has been meeting and talking to so many people who were involved with her !
Last edited by Skywagon1915; 24th Jul 2012 at 21:51.