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Aviation History
1976
1976 - 0024.PDF
28 FLIGHT International, w/e 3 January 1976 AERIAL AGRICULTURE AT LAS VEGAS The standard Thrush Commander 600 and 800 were shown by Rockwell. On the facing page a Funk F-23 serves as the test vehicle for evaluation of a Ford V8 car engine. Far right, the Snow Commander has returned to limited production as the Air Tractor—but the customer supplies the engine the Emair. In the medium-power category, variously equipped Thrushes and Ag-Cats were much in evidence. One of the latter, shown by Serv-Aero lnc, of California, was powered by a British 540 h.p. Leonides and sported a Union Jack on each side of its cowling, attracting much favourable comment. This engine already has its type cer tificate on the Thrush and its acceptance programme on the Ag-Cat is going well. The new Grumman Ag-Cat B is notable for its con siderably increased wing span and area. This is claimed to improve field performance considerably and much care has also gone into reducing pilot fatigue by careful seat design, the choice of "breathing" materials and by im proved cockpit sealing, ventilation and visibility. The new wrap-around windscreen looked very practical. Grumman American's president, Corwin "Corky" Meyer, stressed that his company is actively studying the idea! specification of a totally new agricultural aircraft to be introduced probably in about five years time. In his speech to a crowded symposium he made complimentary references to the Leonides, regretting only its still limited availability. The Piper Pawnee and Cessna Agwagon were vigorously promoted: the latter manufacturer displayed various in genious ag adaptations to its more powerful high-wing utility range. The specialist manufacturers were clearly attracting much attention from the operators. Leyland Snow's original design became the Thrush Commander, and a family re semblance is discernible in his new Air Tractor 300/301 series, which without doubt incorporates a vast amount of experience accumulated by this talented and dedicated engineer. The policy of Snow's company, Air Tractor Inc, of Olney, Texas, is to build and supply these medium-sized (307 US gal) aircraft, leaving the customer to provide the engine—either the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 or the R-985 —for fitting without extra charge at the factory. His pro gramme for 1976 is 40 machines and there is little doubt that more could he sold at the current prices of $40,800 and $42,800 for the 300 and 301 versions respectively. , Similar, but slightly smaller, is the Weatherley 201C, designed to take the 450 h.p. Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine. This aircraft is manufactured south of San Fran cisco and some 45 examples of the Model B have been de livered. The Model C has been slightly lengthened and looks very workmanlike. The Weatherley target for 1976 is some 36 aircraft at an equipped factory price of $43,800, including a zero-hours overhauled engine. This is very attractive for a well proven aircraft capable of carrying 270 US gal of liquid or the equivalent. Helicopters, notably those from Bell and Hughes, con tinue to hover on the fringe of the industry and await full acceptance. There are obviously certain types of operation which can best—or indeed only—be tackled by helicopters but, in the main, claims of net savings due to greatly reduced turnround time (30 to eight seconds) are offset by relatively high prices and operating costs. Of great interest today is the question of engines. For reasons of cost-effectiveness and as a result of technical development generally, the trend is upwards from the light-aircraft range of Continental and Lycoming power- plants into the big-radial segment. By far the most prolific and successful engine has been the Pratt & Whitney R-1340, in plentiful supply since the Second World War, Be/ow left, Las Vegas was for many visitors the first opportunity to see the Emair MA-IB at close quarters. The Super Ag-Cat, centre, was displayed with its normal power unit, the 600 h.p. R-1340 Wasp. The 540 h.p. Leonides, right, was also on view in an Ag-Cat installation, offering a viable alternative to the dwindling supply of Wasps
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