Belfast in Cairns
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This article popped up in my news feeds. Seems to report more progress on 'Hector' than I had read here:
Heavy Lift Turboprop Freighter: 60 Years Of The Short Belfast
https://simpleflying.com/short-belfast-60-years-guide/
These days, I wonder whether some of these items are generated using AI, given a paragraph like:
"All four of the aircraft's engines have been examined and thoroughly tested, alongside the plane's four Rolls-Royce Tyne engines and control surfaces".
Heavy Lift Turboprop Freighter: 60 Years Of The Short Belfast
https://simpleflying.com/short-belfast-60-years-guide/
These days, I wonder whether some of these items are generated using AI, given a paragraph like:
"All four of the aircraft's engines have been examined and thoroughly tested, alongside the plane's four Rolls-Royce Tyne engines and control surfaces".
I was in Cairns last Thursday: Other than reduced tourist numbers, there's no sign of cyclone damage anywhere and Hector is looking just fine (from across the runway at least):
Apologies for the crappy pic - it seems my phone struggles to focus properly in liquid sunshine.
Apologies for the crappy pic - it seems my phone struggles to focus properly in liquid sunshine.
Belfast in Cairns
I watched the maiden flight of the type when I was a 14yr old living at Sydenham, Belfast. Saw the Cairns aircraft last Thursday , 28th March when I was in Cairns. Looked to be still in good condition but I was just a tad worried as there were some guys with a ute removing things out of it.
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I watched the maiden flight of the type when I was a 14yr old living at Sydenham, Belfast. Saw the Cairns aircraft last Thursday , 28th March when I was in Cairns. Looked to be still in good condition but I was just a tad worried as there were some guys with a ute removing things out of it.
Ground power working is a good sign all is ok. I wouldn't panic at least until you find the engines missing..
Anyone who thinks that it’s going to fly out of Cairns under it’s own power without any major maintenance is in la la land.
It would be great to see it fly again, however in reality it won’t. Look at the mould on the top of the wing box sections, the corrosion underneath the panels/skins would render it un airworthy with some serious structural repairs required, repairs that certainly could not be done in the Cairns outdoor hangar.
It would be great to see it fly again, however in reality it won’t. Look at the mould on the top of the wing box sections, the corrosion underneath the panels/skins would render it un airworthy with some serious structural repairs required, repairs that certainly could not be done in the Cairns outdoor hangar.
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Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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A question; I know nothing about the Belfast but can anyone post here on just how good an A/C it was, compared to the C130 Hercules?
I have a vague recollection of once reading somewhere that it was, in almost all aspects, somewhat inferior to the C130.
Can someone elucidate?
Re Packapoo's comment that Shorts knew a thing or two about Flying Boats; I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that my late Father, 39814 Baum; Ronald Wilhelm, W/O1 Pilot 461 SQN RAAF would agree with you.
I have a vague recollection of once reading somewhere that it was, in almost all aspects, somewhat inferior to the C130.
Can someone elucidate?
Re Packapoo's comment that Shorts knew a thing or two about Flying Boats; I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that my late Father, 39814 Baum; Ronald Wilhelm, W/O1 Pilot 461 SQN RAAF would agree with you.
Interesting comments by DP (#129)
Been working on the aircraft for some time now. No sign of any corrosion, upper or lower mainplanes, systems checks carried out, all OK
New paint job, high on list of priorities
FAA inspection was originally scheduled for this week, but deferred until next week.
Time will tell ...
Let's just wait and see ! please !
Been working on the aircraft for some time now. No sign of any corrosion, upper or lower mainplanes, systems checks carried out, all OK
New paint job, high on list of priorities
FAA inspection was originally scheduled for this week, but deferred until next week.
Time will tell ...
Let's just wait and see ! please !
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A question; I know nothing about the Belfast but can anyone post here on just how good an A/C it was, compared to the C130 Hercules?
I have a vague recollection of once reading somewhere that it was, in almost all aspects, somewhat inferior to the C130.
Can someone elucidate?
Re Packapoo's comment that Shorts knew a thing or two about Flying Boats; I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that my late Father, 39814 Baum; Ronald Wilhelm, W/O1 Pilot 461 SQN RAAF would agree with you.
I have a vague recollection of once reading somewhere that it was, in almost all aspects, somewhat inferior to the C130.
Can someone elucidate?
Re Packapoo's comment that Shorts knew a thing or two about Flying Boats; I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that my late Father, 39814 Baum; Ronald Wilhelm, W/O1 Pilot 461 SQN RAAF would agree with you.
Moderator
Pinky
Similar job, very different balus. Whilst the Belfast should be compared against the C130A of the same period, compared to the current C130H (according to Wikipedia):
SHORT BELFAST C Mk 1
I wonder who is paying what must now be very significant airport charges to the Cairns Port Authority???
Transposed re-engining now reverted to original engine configuration.......
Similar job, very different balus. Whilst the Belfast should be compared against the C130A of the same period, compared to the current C130H (according to Wikipedia):
SHORT BELFAST C Mk 1
- Capacity: 150 troops (250 with removable upper floor installed) / 78,000 lb (35,380 kg) payload
- Empty weight: 127,000 lb (57,606 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 230,000 lb (104,326 kg)
- Maximum speed: 352 mph (567 km/h, 306 kn)
- Cruise speed: 336 mph (541 km/h, 292 kn) at 24,000 ft (7,315 m)
- Ferry range: 6,100 mi (9,800 km, 5,300 nmi)
- Powerplant: 4 × Rolls-Royce turboprop engines, 5,730 shp
- Number built: 10
- 92 passengers or 64 airborne troops
- Empty weight: 75,800 lb (34,382 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 155,000 lb (70,307 kg)
- Maximum speed: 320 kn (370 mph, 590 km/h) at 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
- Cruise speed: 292 kn (336 mph, 541 km/h)
- Ferry range: 3,995 nmi (4,597 mi, 7,399 km)
- Powerplant: 4 × Allison turboprop engines, 4,590 shp
- Number built: 2,600 +
I wonder who is paying what must now be very significant airport charges to the Cairns Port Authority???
Transposed re-engining now reverted to original engine configuration.......
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It is an age thing.......... Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Looking forward to returning to Japan soon but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
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Tenk yu tru, Taily.
With regards to the parking fees at Cairns, I’ve heard that the rates are reduced (or possibly aren’t changed) for aircraft undergoing maintenance.
Take this as a grain of salt as it was third hand information from an engineer.
Take this as a grain of salt as it was third hand information from an engineer.
