What is it about the C180/185

[c100driver]

They had rebuilt the wing on the hangar floor without a jig!

One of the fastest C180 (with a standard O-470K) in NZ was rebuilt on a table. Quite a lot of discussion here about jigs and monkeys v tables and craftsman.

[Fantome]

The last new C185 brought into country was VH-ECV for the late Vern Reid in Hobart.

Ah, Vern, more than just a 'one off'. He pulled ECV out of his hangar at Cambridge early one morning. Battery flat, so with no assistance used the old 'Armstrong Starter'. Took off on him, didn't she. Tower away over on the hill could see through the binos some movement. Then a croppy called up taxying and tower gave him 'Possible traffic , ECV taxying. He's not called yet.'

Croppy - 'Ah no. Don't think he can. He's chasing his plane round the tarmac.'

ECV finally ploughed into Vern's hangar doors.

(Vern had a Tiger on floats. VH-AIF. Lost her in the February '67 fires.)

Then there was MTL, the Victa, that got away from her keeper in the same
vicinity.

[tinpis]

monkeys v tables and craftsman.

I think the monkeys in the Goroka hangar may have had a hand in GKI.

[tinpis]

A 185 yarn

Omkalai PNG 1970 (or How I learnt to love C185 tailplanes)

I dropped off the orli pax at Omkali cranked the 185 and spun her round for the return trip to Goroka. Trim set, flaps, controls full and free away we go down the ski jump slope that was Omakali (loved it), hint of back stick and we are airborne, up flaps and start a gentle climbing turn left for GKA.
Something wrong, ease stick forward,bugger, its jammed! Try roll right , jammed! **** me controls are stuck, wiggle rudders yep they are working, roll in down trim nose goes down so we have something
Well right or wrong I'm getting back on the ground real soon, so rudder it round back to Omkalai. Using rudder, power and trim we make a successful landing back up the slope of Omkalai. Switch off and listen to me knees knocking (As a pax I had just recently stepped out of a ball of 206 wreckage in that very parking bay)

What had happened?
The ginger-beers had put the duals in a couple of days before. I didn't like it and asked for them to be removed. Only being a dopey pilot I was duly ignored (Not by the ginger beers but by I suspect Rocky the alky base bag snatcher)
The bolt holding the pax side pole was too long. Inserted upwards it rubbed on a vac pipe leading to the vac guage. After a couple of days rubbing it finally broke through the pipe and popped inside effectively jamming the stick in a dirty big thick rubber pipe.
If I had of stuffed up and burnt no bugger would have been any the wiser.

[Fantome]

The evening here is too cooool for goose flesh.

[Aerozepplin]

As a pax I had just recently stepped out of a ball of 206 wreckage in that very parking bay

That's a very evocative sentence.

[185skywagon]

WildPilot,
my 185 weighs approx 865kg BEW. MTOW is 1519.
I think that the 206 is around 200 kg heavier, but has around a 200kg higher MTOW.
So, they would have about the same payload.
The 206 is far more roomy.

185.

[Corkey McFuz]

c100driver

One of the fastest C180 (with a standard O-470K) in NZ was rebuilt on a table. Quite a lot of discussion here about jigs and monkeys v tables and craftsman.

Out of interest, what one in particular is that ?

[Piano Man]

The 206 is far more roomy

But not as fun from the front left seat

[Wildpilot]

Thanks everyone, as I mentioned I have far to many hours at mauw in a 206 but would love the ruggedness of the 185. Thanks again interesting read.

[tinpis]

I knew there was a photty of Omkalai somewhere, they is as rare as rocking horse guano
Been closed now for about 25 years was the steepest commercial strip in PNG at the time
Imagine putting your controls locks in just after take off

THERE WILL BE A SHORT INTERVAL FOLKS WHILE WE LOOK FOR A PHOTTY OF OMKALAI THAT CHUCKLES LIKES


Here we go faded, but then aren't we all since 1973?



Thanks to Frank B for the photo

[Chimbu chuckles]

That looks like Wonenara to me Tinny - Omkalai is/was on a ridge-line that dropped steeply away on the left to the Wahgi River

[tinpis]

hmmm on second thoughts it dont look steep enough over the left side do it?

Bugger, better take it off before I is called a silly old git

[tinpis]

Ya know I been caught before as well

http://www.pprune.org/dunnunda-godzo...tml#post469364

[Fantome]

Thank you tins. That old post by chuckles (#22) is a pearler. There's a shot of Omkalai somewhere is the first 'Balus' book by James Sinclair, that paragon of documenters of what it was like, 'Wings of Gold' and subsequent.

[skywagondriver]

185Skywagon wrote...The last 180 ever made, is VH-MQQ. It lives down in SE Qld somewhere

I think the last 180 made is N180FN [FN for 'final'] and that is presently in the UK

[185skywagon]

Not according the serial numbers I have. will investigate, however.

VH MQQ

Power Driven Aeroplane with tailwheel-fixed landing gear
Single Piston engine

Manufacturer: CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
Model: 180K
Serial number: 18053203
Aircraft first registered in Australia: 03 June 1983

Full Registration

from the US club info

Last 180 completed (SN - 18053203) rolled off the production line September 10,
1981.
Total production was 6,193.
All corrections made through 9/1/1995.

[edsbar]

Last 180

Cessna Service Newsletter SNL94-6 Lists Propeller Airplane Serial Numbers, 1981 serial numbers are ........

180K SKYWAGON 1981 18053168-18053203

18053203 is VH-MQQ

From the FAA register.

N180FN
Serial Number 18053201 Type Registration Corporation
Manufacturer Name CESSNA Certificate Issue Date 04/30/2003
Model 180 Status Valid
Type Aircraft Fixed Wing Single-Engine Type Engine Reciprocating
Pending Number Change None Dealer No
Date Change Authorized None Mode S Code 50240466
MFR Year 1981 Fractional Owner NO

1981 was the last year of production for the 180 and 1985 for the 185 (18504448 last 185)

[Chimbu chuckles]

Now THAT is Omkalai

[skywagondriver]

Good sleuthing guys...obviously 'FN isn't the last of the breed !!!

My one is around 12 from the end with the 185 empennage/float kit etc.