What's New at SAAM
Fokker Friendship F27 100 VH-CAT
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Previously from the CSIRO and Airbourne Research Vehicles Australia. VH-CAT stood in the open at Parafield for many years. Recently it was aquired by the South Australian Aviation Museum and is undergoing restoration.
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| VH-CAT wth CSIRO |
Mounted on Low-Loader for the move. |
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| On the way to SAAM |
SAAM Banner during move. |
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At the Museum.
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Sporting Airbourne Research logo. |
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| Wing re-attached. |
Engine remounted. |
AIRCRAFT HISTORY
VH-CAT has a significant history. First coming into service with the DCA as an instrument alignment tool for instrument landing system calibration and testing, then moving on to the CSIRO and Airbourne Research Vehicles Australia. It was an Airbourne Atmospheric Research Vehicle. Various sensors were attached in to the hull from the "Hard Points" as can be seen in the images just behind the cockpit. From these sensors various data was collected.
The interior was fitted out for electronic equipment and a quick-change set-up was constructed to allow the aircraft to be refitted for different experiments as quickly as possible.
Notable Points:
- Had its own internal Ground Power Unit.
- Several "Hard Points" installed for sensors.
- Engine Water Methanol Cross-Feed installed by CSIRO. The restrictors were increased in size to give the increased flow required to
achieve Rda6-514 rating, the mod also required the installation of a cross-feed
capability so the available Water Methanol capacity (tanks in the back of the engine
nacelles) was all available to the live engine in the event of engine
failure. (see note)
- Originally purchased by DCA with Rearward Facing Seating.
- Weather Radar relocated from nose to pod under wing to accommodate the 5.5 Metre Nose Extension.
- Participated in Atmospheric Research and Cloud Physics experiments.
- Was able to measure turbulence cells down to about 10 metres in size.
- This was the only aircraft at the time licensed to fly as low as 100 FT. AGL.
NOTE: Water Methanol is injected into the engines during take-off to increase engine performance with high ambient temperatures.
View the following links to learn more.....
See our Fokker Restoration Page.
History of VH-CAT The CSIRO Story at http://www.5dme.net/stories2.html
Aircraft Layout as with CSIRO (Diagrams Only view) (With explanation view)
Photos courtesy 5DME.NET, CSIRO & Nigel Daw.
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