[f-AA] Hindustan Pushpak

[joeaksa at attglobal.net]

Will be in Pakistan in a couple of days and will poke my nose around the airport for any info 
on these but will not have much time.

Joe A

On 3 Nov 2006 at 10:40, Stephen Slater wrote:

> Thanks Ian.  Yes I'd appreciate any info on survivors.  Given their
> similarity (and hopefully compatibility for Chief parts), they have the
> makings of a nice project aeroplane.
> 
> And if anyone's heading to India as a holiday destination......?
> 
> Steve
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ian Harvie [mailto:ianharvie at internode.on.net] 
> Sent: 02 November 2006 10:10
> To: aeronca at westmont.edu
> Subject: Re: [f-AA] Hindustan Pushpak
> 
> I heard a tale that there were some Pushpaks in Mike Spence's hanger at 
> the Krugerdorp airfield in South Africa. I have friend over there I'll e 
> mail and ask if it's true.
> 
> Ian
> 
> steve statkus wrote:
> > Steve,
> > 
> > You get the award for the most unique Aeronca ever!
> > 
> > Steve Statkus
> > 
> > 
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Slater"
> <ss at kingpinmedia.co.uk>
> > To: <aeronca at westmont.edu>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2006 4:08 AM
> > Subject: [f-AA] Hindustan Pushpak
> > 
> > 
> > Hi.  My first attempt at posting to the Aeronca Digest, so I hope I'm
> doing
> > it right.  I've just acquired one of the two HAL-26 Pushpak aircraft
> > registered here in the UK. Out of the 150 or so built in Banagalore, India
> > between 1958 and 1971, there are just two still flying in India and the
> two
> > in the UK, so they're not exactly thick on the ground.
> > 
> > "The Memsahib" is basically a 1948 Aeronca Chief, but with heavier tubes
> > (filled with linseed oil to prevent corrosion) she weighs in about 80lbs
> > heavier than a Chief - most of the weight down the back.  She has a
> > Rolls-Royce built C-90 on the nose, a bigger fin and smaller rudder which
> > will make crosswinds interesting and a few other detail differences.
> > 
> > It’s the first time I've flown with the Aeronca 'no-bounce' undercarriage
> > (oh yes it can!). Can someone help me with the best take-off technique.
> > 
> > Currently I'm trying to keep the nose down on take-off to keep the oleos
> > compressed then fly-off at 50mph.  Most of the time this works, but I've
> > found on our rather bumpy strip it tends to start wallowing around like a
> > 50s Cadillac if I get it wrong.
> > 
> > I also tried a short-field take-off at about 35mph, accelerating in ground
> > effect, but I'm a bit worried about the lack of control authority if 
> > there's
> > any cross wind. What technique do you Chief experts recommend - and what
> > other 'gotchas' should I look out for?
> > 
> > Steve Slater
> > Pushpak G-BXTO