|
Victa Airtourer  Airtourer T3A
A wooden prototype was constructed as VH‑FMM and first flew on 31 March 1959. Victa Consolidated Industries became interested and re-engined VH-FMM with a 90 hp Continental engine. While this aircraft was on a demonstration tour of New Zealand work on an all-metal Airtourer 100 was underway. The all metal Airtourer VH‑MVA was flown on 12 December 1961 and, following type certification on 4 July 1962 (the first Australian light aircraft design to be so approved), was put into production as the all metal Airtourer 100 and T2. Two versions of this fully aerobatic two-seater were available, powered by 100 hp Continental O-200-A and 115 hp Lycoming O-235-C1BB engines.
The first production model was VH-MVC.  T3A
After producing 167 aircraft Victa closed down and during 1967 all production rights were sold to Aero Engine Services Ltd of Hamilton. Three partially built Victa Airtourers were completed before production of AESL aircraft. They immediately continued production and built a further 80 examples and developed the 130 hp T3A. New Zealand's very first home‑grown Airtourer ZK‑COZ (c/n 501) became airborne off Hamilton airport in October 1967. Progressively more horse‑powered T3, T4, and T5 variants were developed.
Victa 100s were often later converted to V115 standard or, by AESL, to Airtourer T3A (130-hp engine).
AESL re-designated the model numbers and product line, with the Airtourer 100 becoming the T1 before being dropped from production (although one was later re-manufactured from Victa c/n 50 to AESL c/n 556), and the 115 became the T2. The T3, powered by a 130 hp Continental, was a field modification with only one produced from new; the 150 became the T4, and the T5 was a 150 fitted with a constant-speed propeller.
Finally came the 150 hp Lycoming powered T6/24. Which featured a 24-volt electrical system in place of the earlier 12-volt system. The last examples of the T6 were fitted with a 160 hp engine.
 AESL Airtourer 150 ZK-CXS
Following evaluation flying of the prototype Airtourer at Wigram, the Royal New Zealand Air Force saw the potential of this locally produced aircraft as a primary trainer. Four T6/24s were ordered in October 1969 and entered service in May and June 1970 as NZ1760 to NZ1763. The aircraft were used by the RNZAF until 1993 when they were retired and sold by tender.
The Glos-Air assembly line of Airtourers included 115s c/ns 525, 528, 529, 530, 531 and 533, 150s c/ns 535, 539, 540-549 and 550 in July 1971 with 535 flying as G-AZBE on July 19 These were imported from New Zealand for completion and assembly at Staverton.
The Airtourer has been out of production since 1973, the last two flying in 1973. The line was shut down, the jigs placed into storage until, as with ZK‑DAH in 1979, Australian interests purchased the hardware and the rights to build the aircraft back in Australia. The Australian Airtourer Association provides spares for its members and Airtourers still flying worldwide.
 Airtourer 150
AT100
Engine: Continental O-200A, 100 hp
AT115
Engine: Lycoming O-235-C2A, 115 hp
Prop: fixed pitch
T2
Engine: Lycoming O-235-C1B, 115 hp
Wing span: 7.92 m
Length: 6.33 m
Cruising speed@65% pwr: 115 mph / 185 kmh
Fuel consumption @ 65% power: 32 lb/hr
Endurance @ 65% power: 5.45 hr
Stalling speeds (clean/flaps down): 58-52 mph / 93-83 kph
Useful load: 505 lb / 229 kg
Max. ROC: 900 fpm / 274 m/min
Accommodation: Pilot and one passenger
T3A
Engine: Rolls Royce/Continental O-240A, 130 hp
Prop: fixed pitch
Wing Span: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
Length: 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
Height: 6 ft 10 in
Maximum Speed: 142 mph (230 kph)
Range: 710 miles (1140 km) Service Ceiling: 14,000 ft (4264 m) Load factor: +6 -3 G
Fully aerobatic T4
Engine: Lycoming 0-320-E2A, 150 hp
Prop: fixed pitch
Wingspan: 26 ft 0 in / 7.92 m
Length: 21 ft 5 7/8 in / 6.55 m
Cabin length: 5 ft 8 in / 1.73 m
Cabin width: 3 ft 6 in / 1.07 m
Cabin max height: 4 ft 2 in / 1.27 m
Baggage space: 8 cu.ft / 100 lb / 0.23 cu.m / 45 kg
Empty weight equipped: 1165 lb / 528 kg
MTOW: 1750 lb / 793 kg
Max cruise 4000 ft / 1220 m: 122 kt / 140 mph / 225 kph
Max ROC SL: 980 fpm / 299 m/min
Service ceiling: 15,500 ft / 4725 m
Range max fuel: 542 nm / 625 mi / 1005 km
Seats: 2 side by side
T5
Engine: Lycoming 0-320-E1A, 150 hp
Prop: Constant speed
T6/12
Engine: Lycoming 0-320-E1A, 150 hp
Prop: Constant speed
T6/24 Super 150
Engine: Lycoming 0-320-E1A, 150 hp
Prop: 2 blade fixed pitch
Prop diameter: 6 ft 0.5 in / 1.82 m
Wingspan: 26 ft 0 in / 7.93 m
Length: 21 ft 6 in / 6.55 m
Height: 7 ft 0 in / 2.13 m
Wheel track: 9 ft 0 in / 2.75 m
Empty weight: 1120 lb / 508 kg
Useful load: 630 lb / 286 kg
Fuel capacity: 29 Imp.Gal / 35 USG / 132 lt
Max level speed: 150 mph / 242 kph / 130 kt at SL
Cruising speed@ 65% pwr: 125 mph / 201 kmh
Fuel consumption @ 65% pwr: 44 lb/hr
Endurance @ 65% pwr: 3.9 hr
Cruising speed@ 75% pwr: 145 mph / 234 kmh / 125 kt at 4000 ft
Stalling speeds (clean/flaps down): 58-52 mph / 93-83 kmh
Useful load: 500 lb / 227 kg
Max. ROC: 980 fpm / 299 m/min
Best climb speed: 92 mph / 149 kph / 80 kt
Service ceiling: 18,000 ft / 5480 m
Max range: 505 miles / 803 km / 438 nm
Max payload range: 375 mi / 605 km / 326 nm
TO dist 50 ft: 1200 ft / 365 m
Approach speed: 80 mph / 129 kph / 70 kt
Ldg from 50 ft: 860 ft / 263 m
Aerobatic load: +6 / -3
Seats: 2
Price 1970: £5750 / $13,800  Airtourer T2
---------------add to gallery Shorts S.23 Empire Class / S.30 Empire Class #10057
|
