1950s small plane around Australia
Thread Starter
1950s small plane around Australia
When I was a kid living in East Roseville in the 1950s, I followed the exploits of an aviator who had built his own small plane – with a Volkswagen engine – and commenced flying it around Australia.
From time to time there were bits about it in the newspapers. It was one of the things that really motivated me to think that possibly, one day, I could become a pilot.
Does anyone know the story and can anyone give me any links to the newspaper reports of the time?
From time to time there were bits about it in the newspapers. It was one of the things that really motivated me to think that possibly, one day, I could become a pilot.
Does anyone know the story and can anyone give me any links to the newspaper reports of the time?
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Sydney
Age: 60
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Dick
I don't know of the story but in case you haven't seen either of these I found this article about a French kit plane that used a VW car engine (in the Broken Hill newspaper Barrier Miner on 23 December 1954). Perhaps it's possible your aviator flew one of these?
23 Dec 1954 - Flying at 5d. Mile
Also on Wikipedia there's a big list of aircraft that have used VW engines. Perhaps one of these relates to the story? (scroll down close to the bottom)
Volkswagen air-cooled engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
regards
Ren
I don't know of the story but in case you haven't seen either of these I found this article about a French kit plane that used a VW car engine (in the Broken Hill newspaper Barrier Miner on 23 December 1954). Perhaps it's possible your aviator flew one of these?
23 Dec 1954 - Flying at 5d. Mile
Also on Wikipedia there's a big list of aircraft that have used VW engines. Perhaps one of these relates to the story? (scroll down close to the bottom)
Volkswagen air-cooled engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
regards
Ren
Join Date: Sep 1998
Location: Queensland
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Corby Starlet had a VDub engine as well as Jodels. I flew a single seat Jodel a few times in the 70's with a VW engine and it was good fun. There were two blokes in Canberra who built more than one Jodel (VW powered) from memory at separate times, I believe around the late 50's to 60's. I was a kid in the area then. I am fairly sure they were Artie Powell and Vic Southwell. I also have a feeling one or the other or both made a few long cross country excursions, whether around Australia though I don't know.
The one I flew was later than that and was built from scratch including the prop and an engine reputed to have originally come from the Queanbeyan tip. It had to go through a full test flying program as so much of it had been manufactured from basic materials. I did some of it and had a ball "screaming" around the Captains Flat, Hoskingtown area at about 70 knots.
There was a fellow though that used to fly a Corby Starlet quite long distances as well that I vaguely recall something about. Sorry can't be of more help.
The one I flew was later than that and was built from scratch including the prop and an engine reputed to have originally come from the Queanbeyan tip. It had to go through a full test flying program as so much of it had been manufactured from basic materials. I did some of it and had a ball "screaming" around the Captains Flat, Hoskingtown area at about 70 knots.
There was a fellow though that used to fly a Corby Starlet quite long distances as well that I vaguely recall something about. Sorry can't be of more help.
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Next door to the wrong neighbours
Posts: 243
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dick, that would be the North Shore Times which is now owned by News Ltd but once part of Cumberland Newspapers (I think). They do not appear to have an archive search function and the editions that far back are probably not digitised anyway. Maybe if you contacted the paper they may provide access to archives. The paper only came out once a week on a Wednesday so there would not be too many editions to search through.
Thread Starter
Maybe. But I think it was more likely in a Sydney daily newspaper. I have done some searching but can't find anything. I think the paper followed the trip over a number of months!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wentworth
Age: 59
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Norman Hamilton designed an built an aircraft that basically fits that description, not 100% sure the engine was VW. The wings were rectangular profile, looked a little like a Victa.
He tried to sell it for cattle mustering etc.
He tried to sell it for cattle mustering etc.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wentworth
Age: 59
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it helps, Norman Hamilton was the Victorian Porsche Dealer and his son Alan raced Porsches in the '60's and I think got into Formula 5000 in the early '70's.
Haven't heard of him since, but Alan may be the best bet for any information.
Good luck.
Haven't heard of him since, but Alan may be the best bet for any information.
Good luck.
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Next door to the wrong neighbours
Posts: 243
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Maybe. But I think it was more likely in a Sydney daily newspaper. I have done some searching but can't find anything. I think the paper followed the trip over a number of months!"
I was jumping to conclusions....should spend more time reading the request.
I was jumping to conclusions....should spend more time reading the request.
The Norm Hamilton aeroplane was the Flut-r-Bug VH-ULA
I flew one of them back in the '70's.
Obviously a Turbulent so you could have an arm out the window. I guess that Wally Watkins would've been around at the time. I recall him saying that the Turbulent was the first homebuilt here.
I flew one of them back in the '70's.
Obviously a Turbulent so you could have an arm out the window. I guess that Wally Watkins would've been around at the time. I recall him saying that the Turbulent was the first homebuilt here.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: dans un cercle dont le centre est eveywhere et circumfernce n'est nulle part
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dick.
As a kid I heard a story about a Sydney bloke who set off on such a journey in a Tipsy Nipper. Now I can't confirm his name or authenticity, (getting on now), but the Tipsy was both a factory and kit built aircraft, one seat and was powered by a Rollason Ardem, (1500cc VW). Just reading up on them in an old "Observers" book, they had a range of about 175 nm, but there was a tip tank varient that extended this to some 400nm x 80KTS.
As a kid I heard a story about a Sydney bloke who set off on such a journey in a Tipsy Nipper. Now I can't confirm his name or authenticity, (getting on now), but the Tipsy was both a factory and kit built aircraft, one seat and was powered by a Rollason Ardem, (1500cc VW). Just reading up on them in an old "Observers" book, they had a range of about 175 nm, but there was a tip tank varient that extended this to some 400nm x 80KTS.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Australia
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Airways museum website - Airways Museum / Civil Aviation Historical Society
has a listing of Aircraft Magazine articles. From that list:-
1958 March
Our First Ultra-Light - Stits Flut-r-Bug - to Fly this Month
1959 January
Building and flying the Druine D.31 Turbulent
1959 April
The Druine D.31 Turbulent - Amateur Built Machine
The following pertain
VH-ULA
Certification of Amateur Built Aircraft - Druine Turbulent VH-ULI
Perhaps sourcing the articles from a library might jog the memories Dick?
has a listing of Aircraft Magazine articles. From that list:-
1958 March
Our First Ultra-Light - Stits Flut-r-Bug - to Fly this Month
1959 January
Building and flying the Druine D.31 Turbulent
1959 April
The Druine D.31 Turbulent - Amateur Built Machine
The following pertain
VH-ULA
Certification of Amateur Built Aircraft - Druine Turbulent VH-ULI
Perhaps sourcing the articles from a library might jog the memories Dick?
