Category Archives: Old aeroplanes

Anything and everything about old aeroplanes

The way we were

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Interstate L6I recently acquired an old aircraft – a 1941 Interstate S-1A Cadet – there will be more information about this aircraft to come in the future.

With the aircraft came a ‘Pilot’s Flight Operating Instructions’ manual, which naturally I read with interest. Near the back is a section on cold weather operation, which includes the phrase: “Evergreen boughs may be used for brushing off light snow”.

Other interesting cold weather instructions include “Where [engine] heating facilities are not available overnight…drain the oil out on the ground and refill with fresh from the store before operation. This is far easier than trying to heat the oil system of the airplane to permit the flow of congealed oil”. And to round things off nicely: “Remember to include ammunition weight in centre of gravity calculations”.  How the world has changed…

In the back of the manual is a ‘Glossary of Nomenclature’ to help US personnel understand their British counterparts. Apart from obvious terms like the US ‘gasoline’ (petrol), ‘antenna’ (aerial) and ‘airplane’ (aeroplane), there are some which induce a bit of a smile: ‘engine’ (aero-engine), ‘battery’ (accumulator, electrical) and ‘fuel valve’ (fuel cock). Interestingly they quote the US term ’empennage’ for the British ‘tail unit’ which I’d have thought would be the other way round.

Many many years ago I owned a 1942 Willys army jeep. Apart from a placard on the fuel tank which indicated ‘Minimum 68 Octane Fuel’ (that probably means filling it with peanut butter would be OK) there was a great instruction in the maintenance book that read: “…to access and repair the transmission, first stand the vehicle on its side”. There are probably a few car service facilities outback who even today value that advice!

Old aeroplanes – aren’t they wonderful?

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ImageI have always loved old aeroplanes. I can remember as a small boy going along to air shows and being thrilled by the rumble of big radial engines and the spine-tingling noise of a 12-cylinder Merlin engine on a Spitfire. And the smooth sound of the ubiquitous Lycoming or Continental flat four. There’s just something about the smell, sound and look of an antique aircraft that pushes all my buttons – well, many of them, anyway!

A while back, I joined the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia – AAAA – which is (strangely as its name suggests) an association for the owners and operators of older aircraft. They have a great website at: http://www.antique-aeroplane.com.au where you can find out all about old planes and how to join AAAA.

They categorise their aircraft in four ways – Antiques are those aircraft in production in or before 1945; Classics are from 1945-1955; Contemporary are 1956-1970; and Warbirds are what they say – aircraft of any age, ooperated by the military of any country. The AAAA has gatherings all over Australia and they have a current events list on their website. Of particular enjoyment each year are the various State & Territory ‘Toy Runs’ for collecting presents for disadvantaged children – check the AAAA website for details later in the year.

Meanwhile, I’ll soon be flying my own antique aeroplane, which is older than me but in much better condition! Watch this space…

The Ercoupe – a unique aeroplane

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The Ercoupe was first manufactured in the late 1930’s by a company called Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO). In one form or another, it continued in production until 1970 by which time over five and a half thousand had been built.

ErcoupeThe Ercoupe is unique in at least three main ways:

– it is truly spin proof
– it was the fist mass manufactured aircraft to have a nose wheel (as opposed to a tail wheel)
– it has no rudder pedals; steering on the ground and in the air is achieved solely through movement of the steering wheel-like control yokes

Even today, the Ercoupe remains a popular aircraft and many have been restored and maintained to near-new standards. Some of the models qualify for Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) status under current regulations and are an excellent, safe and relatively inexpensive way to enjoy flying.

Here’s a link to a YouTube video about the aircraft, owned by Jack Vevers, a member of the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia (AAAA), and a leading member of the Peninsula Aero Club (PAC) at Tyabb airport:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcZZnXlpc0A&feature=youtu.be

PS – You might just catch a glimpse of a Foxbat wing and strut during one of the air-to-air sequences. The Foxbat makes a great photo-ship. Watch this space!