Messed up my fresh paint!

ALLEN W. JOHNSON - DRSS

Into my heart on air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those blue remembered hills,
What spires, what farms are those?
That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain,
The happy highways where I went
And cannot come again.

A. E. Housman

30 December 2008, 06:58

JKS

For us non pilots more info on your plane please! The Jeep's specs could be included too

John

30 December 2008, 07:33

Mississippian

2006 Turbo Thrush 660 Dual Cockpit Cropduster
1300 hp Pratt & Whitney
Built at Albany, GA
Specifications and Performance Data
• Maximum Take-off Weight 14,150 lbs. 6,148 kg
• Maximum Landing Weight 12,500 lbs. 5,670 kg
• Fuel Capacity 228 Gallons 863 liters
• Hopper Capacity (with Spray System) 710 Gallons 2,687 liters
• Velocity Never Exceed 220 mph 355 kph
• Sea Level Rate of Climb at 12,500 lbs. 1,025 fpm 312 mpm
• Sea Level Rate of Climb at 14,150 lbs. 700 fpm 213 mpm
• Take-Off Distance @14,150 lbs. 1,100 ft. 355 mtrs.
• Landing Distance (as Usually Landed) 600 ft. 183 mtrs.
• Cruising Speed @ 55% Power 185 mph 298 kph
• Ferry Range @ 50% power 600 miles 966 kilometers

Tow Vehicle-(wife didnt think I needed it as a toy so I found another way to justify the "need"!

)

92 custom crawler
LT1 vette motor
700R4 trans
AtlasII transfer case
Dana 60 rear/44 front with all the goodies from end to end
coilover suspension
Onboard welder and compressor
Warn 9000#hi speed with rope
36" swampers on TR bead locks
Custom built matching trailer

Note-Would trade tow vehicle for very nice double

30 December 2008, 18:05

stubbleduck47

Gross Takeoff Weight over 12,500 Lbs....Do you need a type certificate to fly it?

30 December 2008, 18:35

Mississippian

No Type Rating required. Just get in and go!

03 January 2009, 10:46

jetdrvr

Looks like fun to me. Nice paint scheme.

03 January 2009, 18:06

Vemo

I like it, got any cockpit photos?

04 January 2009, 06:28

Mississippian

Vemo, Not as fancy as your office but slightly better equipped than the old Stermans, J3's etc!

27 January 2009, 19:35

dwp

WOW! That is an absolutely beautiful aircraft. I can hardly look at the pictures of an ag aircraft without drifting off to some place where I too am living the dream.

Thanks for posting the pictures.

28 January 2009, 13:46

ovis40

HOLY COW.....where are the guns?

01 February 2009, 05:29

TCLouis

I have been waiting a while to comment and actually logged in tonight.

That plane looks like, "Can Do" is the motto when you receive one.

10 February 2009, 17:14

Mississippian

I hate when this happens!!

10 February 2009, 21:30

Jon Beutler

OK I'll bite.

Looks like your gonna need a bit more "fresh paint". But why?

10 February 2009, 21:48

Mark

Ouch!

I thought it was still a bit too cold for nude sunbathers to be out down your way! (glad you're OK though, tis the main thing)

11 February 2009, 18:31

Rusty

Your version of "Airplane Golf"?

Two seater? Hey, Kelly I gotta come vist and get a ride! Too Cool!

OBTW, could you name me to get your Merkel?

Just in case?

Rusty
We Band of Brothers!
DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member
"I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends."
----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836
"I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841
"for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson
Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”

12 February 2009, 01:48

JBoutfishn

quote:
Originally posted by Mississippian:
I hate when this happens!!

What happened

12 February 2009, 05:45

Mississippian

quote:
Two seater? Hey, Kelly I gotta come vist and get a ride! Too Cool!

Sure Rusty, come on up! Statistically Im a very safe pilot! Out of 11K hours this is my second fender bender, the last occuring in 99. As long as you make it up before 2019 (provide the pattern remains at 10 yr intervals!

) you should be ok!

quote:
OBTW, could you name me to get your Merkel? Just in case?

Sure, if you will do the same for me on your Bernardelli!

The short story is I was preoccupied with a group of Ducks and failed to remember the 10 ft extention on top of the 30 ft tower which a two way radio antenna was mounted. Hit the extention (which was a 2" aluminum pipe) running about 155mph. After some skillful piloting

I brought her in on 1 engine and made a beautiful landing

with the pipe still stuck in the wing. Got her Patched up the next day at Air Repair, ordered the replacement skins and keep on going. Was very lucky on this deal! Missed the prop by about 1.5 ft!! Total repair is gonna run about $11K. Could have been much worst!

12 February 2009, 08:30

Vemo

Wow, life is never boring out there! That's a tough airplane. How's your neck? Had to have been a hell of a jolt!

12 February 2009, 15:42

Mississippian

quote:
How's your neck? Had to have been a hell of a jolt!

I have flown through my own wake turbulance in sequential turns out of a field that scared me worse. Didnt jerk hard enough to even move my head. Like a hot knife through butter.

12 February 2009, 23:47

Gatogordo

I think your tow vehicle is way cool. Do you have any trouble keeping the engine coolant from overheating?

xxxxxxxxxx
When considering US based operations of guides/outfitters, check and see if they are NRA members. If not, why support someone who doesn't support us? Consider spending your money elsewhere.

NEVER, EVER book a hunt with BLAIR WORLDWIDE HUNTING or JEFF BLAIR.

I have come to understand that in hunting, the goal is not the goal but the process.

13 February 2009, 05:14

Mississippian

quote:
Do you have any trouble keeping the engine coolant from overheating?

Not too bad but the coolant system could use some help. Upgrading to a Be Cool radiator is on the to do list! Do you have any experience with an LT1 in a Jeep?

13 February 2009, 18:05

Gatogordo

No, I don't have any real experience with jeeps, but I went through a street rod phase a few years back, still got a few of them sitting around gathering dust in various places. As you know, cooling a bigger engine in a smaller place was one of the constant problems which came up, thus my question.

How does it handle when you give it a little gas?

14 February 2009, 03:42

TCLouis

I hate to see the pictures of damage to the work beauty, but if one can take pictures of damage when they get back to the hanger then all is OK.

Least that is my opinion.

14 February 2009, 05:45

Mississippian

quote:
How does it handle when you give it a little gas?

In 4 low on asphalt it will slightly pull the front tires off the ground when it hammers into second! I think this engine is rated at 300hp. It has the aluminum heads and tune port fuel injection. Be Cool makes a radiator specifically for an LT1 in a jeep which will be the next project. Should make it a worry free setup I hope! Currently I have to keep an eye on the temp in the heat of the summer during extended run intervals.

quote:
I hate to see the pictures of damage to the work beauty, but if one can take pictures of damage when they get back to the hanger then all is OK.

I hate it too but I just keep reminding myself it could have been much worse!! It will look good as new once we install the new skins and apply a little "fresh paint".

15 February 2009, 04:37

Jim Manion

quote:
The short story is I was preoccupied with a group of Ducks

Inside or outside of the cockpit?

Damn fine looking aircraft! She looks like she can dance a step or two!

16 February 2009, 01:55

f224

Pete Jones at AirRepair did my Stearman back in 1991, they do great work.

Good thing you didn't hurt yourself on that tower.

16 February 2009, 04:48

Mississippian

quote:
Inside or outside of the cockpit?

outside! Had one bust out my windshield last year so they make me real nervous! But I will take a duck strike over a tower strike any day!!

f224, we are lucky to have Air Repair close by. They have a well equiped shop, large inventory of parts and fine group of mechanics, many of which have been with Pete since he started.

16 February 2009, 08:22

bluetick

Frik'in A Kelly be careful. What are you work'in on, wheat fert?
Know your in my prayers and for Pete's sake keep that thing straight and level. I might want to go for another fly in it someday.

17 February 2009, 05:31

Mississippian

quote:
What are you work'in on, wheat fert?

No wheat this year. Working on Burndown (roundup etc) and will soon start blend fertilizer and Nitrogen on corn ground.

28 February 2009, 18:33

sonofagun

Friend of mine down your way was wondering about the reports of a flock of ducks flying around laughing their asses off! Now we know.

28 February 2009, 18:58

Mississippian

quote:
Friend of mine down your way was wondering about the reports of a flock of ducks flying around laughing their asses off! Now we know.

Not funny! Those ducks cost the business enough money to have bought me a new Heym double!

01 March 2009, 18:41

sonofagun

Not to worry, the ducks have insurance - just contact their insurance company:

Duck You, Inc.

01 March 2009, 18:47

sonofagun

Please keep in mind I'm not trying to degrade or deny the seriousness of what happened and very thankfully you weren't badly PHYSICALLY injured.

...and yeah, I know about sudden and unexpected financial losses!

04 May 2009, 10:28

N E 450 No2

Kelly

Why don't you fly that plane to the next DRSS hunt? We can shoot a few pigs from the air.

05 May 2009, 06:03

model7LSS

quote:
Originally posted by sonofagun:
Not to worry, the ducks have insurance - just contact their insurance company:

Duck You, Inc.

I thought it was AFLAC?

22 May 2009, 00:49

Bill73

Kelly,
you gotta quit playing those video games when you're flying,we still got unfinished business in Africa,
it's an impressive plane,parked next to your tow/toy vehicle gives me an idea of it's true size,man I am glad you're o.k,
I am o.k with Tony shooting the pigs as long as I get to shoot some ducks with my 470 from the back seat

22 May 2009, 01:09

N E 450 No2

quote:
Originally posted by Bill73:
Kelly,
you gotta quit playing those video games when you're flying,we still got unfinished business in Africa,
it's an impressive plane,parked next to your tow/toy vehicle gives me an idea of it's true size,man I am glad you're o.k,
I am o.k with Tony shooting the pigs as long as I get to shoot some ducks with my 470 from the back seat

First you Dudes come to Texas and shoot up our trees, now you want to break Federal Law and shoot Ducks.

Shooting pigs and coyotes here from the air is "nearly" legal.