Neil's Nostalgia
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• Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer Srs 3 • VH-EVB (586) Now VH-SYS All photos: Neil Aird © 06 November 2010 (except where noted)
Above left and right: My host, Twin Pioneer, and Beaver owner, Sy Allsep. Middle: Neil in Twin Pin © Mark Booth. |
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In early November 2010, when I was guest of Peter Reardon in Australia, a visit was made to Wedderburn Airfield, south of Sydney. The purpose of this visit intially was to fly in the right seat of Sy Allep's restored SAL Twin Pioneer VH-EVB c/n 586 which I had seen many years ago on the production line at Prestwick in Scotland as FM1066 destined for the Royal Malaysian Air Force. A flight was not in the works, alas, but the faithful crew was assembled for an engine run, and the right seat made me welcome. What pleasure. My thanks to Sy and Peter for their incredible hospitality. The Twin Pioneer now has her own purpose built hangar and the remains of another Twin and precious parts are now stored inside.
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| Getting the Twin Pin ready for anything is a bit of a chore. She is "big" let me tell you. First off was the cockpit cover, which meant a climb through the roof hatch and undoing many snaps to remove the flapping, custom made, tent size canvas! |
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| Participating ground crew on this day were Mark Booth, Shane Ford, Peter Reardon and Dave, under the watchful eye of Sy Allsep. All I had to do was take a few snaps and close the throttles at the end of the engine runs. Aaah. |
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I seem to remember it took 21 pull throughs to prep the engine. Hard work. The lads had a "lasso" on a pole whick helped the laborious, essential process.
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VH-EVD (590) ex FM1070, has been reduced to "spares" and what remains is what you see here. VH-EVC (578) ex FM1061, is still extant at Bankstown, NSW.
I'll be adding some more images of earlier work on VH-EVB (586) and try to keep you up to speed on where she goes. Temora, NSW Warbird show is the next venue to see her in action. |
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On Saturday 30 July 2022 VH-SYS was donated and flown from Wedderburn - YWBN to Woolongong - YWOL for retirment at the HARS facility.
Take good care of her please. - "Blue Skies Sy" - Details and more images to follow. - YouTube video of her arrival at Shellharbour Airport.
First night with fellow three tailed bird! |
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