PL-12 Airtruk – Aircraft of the month

/ Spencer Gould

Quite the unusual aircraft and almost exclusively only found in Australia & New Zealand as an Ag Plane. It was manufactured by the Transavia Corporation from 1966 – 1993 with 118 examples built.

The common way anyone in the US or Europe would likely know about this aircraft is from 1985’s Mad Max Beyond Thunder Dome piloted by Jedediah (played by Bruce Spence). For the longest time I thought something this Bizarre was just made up with some real good special effects, but no its real.

Very interesting to see what people and companies will cook up when not bound by local technical Dogma.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transavia_PL-12_Airtruk

RC models are very rare (nothing yet on Outerzone) but some custom one offs can be found, one of the few kits available is from Laser Design Services and can be found at:

http://store.laser-design-services.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=210

 

 

‘Lift’ Flight Bag by Flight Outfitters – Product of the month

/ Spencer Gould
  • Looking for your first or new flight bag?
  • need something that’s to the point with out carrying the kitchen sink?
  • Look no further than the ‘Lift’ Flight Bag by Flight Outfitters
  • The “Just right” size features are ideal for LSA aircraft where extra space and weight is at a premium.

  • Water bottle/back-up radio pocket, Fuel tester pocket, 2 external chart pockets
  • Fleece-lined electronic accessory pockets (ADS-B / GPS / Iridium), 4 internal mesh organizers for cables and charging cords
  • Fleece-lined headset pocket with elastic loops for extra batteries for ANR headsets
  • Adjustable shoulder strap, braided wire reinforced carry handle and metal hardware
  • External Dimensions: 12″H x 10.5″W x 9″D

Attractive Orange Accents keep the bag from blending in and being left behind.

 

SNS 7 Hyperbipe – Aircraft of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

Sorrell Negative Stagger, Model 7 (SNS 7) was first introduced in 1973 and combined serious Biplane Acrobatic performance combined with a unique side by side cabin seating unlike other Acrobatic Biplanes like the Pitts, Star Duster, Ultimate Bipe & the Christen Eagle.
Controlling interest in the Hyperbipe is now with Tunderbird Aviation LLC

 

Every now an then they come up for sale on barn stormers and other online aircraft brokers.
Sun N Fun / Lakeland has one on display:
 
For RC scratch builders, Outerzone has some free PDF plans
1978, 42″ Span, by Frank Massa / Master Kit
Also from 1978, 57″ Span, by Phil Moore / Radio Modeller
Posts

 

 

Airplane Ownership Book – Mike Busch – Product of the month

/ Spencer Gould

Curious about aircraft ownership?

Tired of the rental fleet shenanigans?

Are you an active pilot looking to build serious hours & cross country flights?

Check out Aircraft Ownership by Mike Busch an A&P / IA. Gain knowledge from the unique perspective from in maintenance, inspections and over 8,000 flight hours.

 

Volume 1 covers selecting, purchasing, insuring, and maintaining an aircraft. Busch emphasizes that it is the aircraft owner—not his mechanics—who bears the regulatory responsibility for airworthiness. He discusses how to choose the right mechanic or shop and how to manage the maintenance they perform. Busch dissects the much-dreaded annual inspection, and how owners can keep it from spiraling out of control. He offers guidance about the all-important post-maintenance test flight, and how to deal with an owner’s worst nightmare: a mechanical breakdown far from home.

Additional Volume coming later this year.

 

 

J-1B Don Quixote – Aircraft of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

The J-1B was one of those home built planes growing up that seemed to be very realistic to build. I’ve always been a fan of this plane, I think more RC models exist of this plane then the real thing.

The design was from the early 70’s & Poland

The simple but classic lines of this airplane still look good to me today.

The Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janowski_Don_Kichot

& an interesting web pages full of pictures

https://www.gonzoaviation.com/clanok/prvy-aeroplan-mariana-barusa-j-1b-om-txb

http://www.angelfire.com/ks2/janowski/

In the mid 90’s I got a Plan for a RC 52″ span electric version from RCM, they went belly up years ago, Fortunately the Outerzone project in England has gathered RC plans that are no longer available where you can get a free pdf & building info.

1995 plan: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6971

1985 plan: https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=6811

Juvale extendable Poster Tube with Strap – Product of the Month

/ Spencer Gould

I recently bought a few of these to store some important plans. Perfect for your homebuilt aircraft project plans or to store RC airplane plans as well.

They are offered in several colors and can expand to longer lengths.

The colors can help these storage tubes from “just blending in” making them easy to find.

Red

Blue

Yellow

White

  • This Durable Tube Holder Protect Your Posters, Artwork, and Documents From Creasing While in Transit
  • Tube is Water and Light Resistant – It Protects Materials Against Fading
  • This Versatile Tube Has Unlimited Uses for Storage: Posters, Blue Prints, Artwork, Maps, Drafts
  • Perfect for Artists, Illustrators, Architects or Hobbyists!
  • Dimensions: 24.75 x 3.5 x 3.3 inches Fully extended 40.25″