Thread: Old huts

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

yes we used one a bit in Gisborne - American chap flying it - ex Vietnam pilot - sadly killed back of Gisborne in it - an old Ruahine culler told me the first time they used one it was driven up to Mangaweka on back of truck from Wellington - otherwise very slow expensive flight up ahh - pilot stuck the blades on and did the job - back onto truck and home again - Hiller 12E was a marked improvement quite a bit more grunt - and then there was the Llama -first time I saw one used could not get over what they could lift - man they were slow but very grunty - dont quote me but was something like ( just pilot low fuel ) Bell 47 450 lb -Hiller 12E 600 lb Llama 900 lb - One Gisborne pilot had a Hiller 12e that had been fitted with a turbine instead of the flat six Lycoming -used to go and load for him on weekends and he would let me fly it home with the duals in - but feck spraying scrub back of Gisborne bloody drums of yup 245T

Bell47 G engine was turbocharged 435ci Lycoming.
Hiller 12E twin carb 540ci Lycoming.
12E Turbine conversion was Soloy conversion, installed an Allison 250 C-20 ( Jetranger / Hughes500 C/D) in place of the VO540. Lighter engine and better ISA+ performance.

Fond memories….fading





Soloy in for hot end inspection.

B