howardwhite 6 #1 August 29, 2009 Yes, it is an active jump plane. What and where? HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LtlRichard 0 #2 August 29, 2009 Looks Like a turbine DC-3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #3 August 30, 2009 Basler BT-67 to be exact. But I have no idea where. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #4 August 30, 2009 If it's any help, I'm told it's the second-ever Basler (at least for this configuration.) It's been in service a long time, majorly rebuilt fairly recently. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #5 August 30, 2009 Used by smoke jumpers maybe? Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #6 August 30, 2009 Very good. Used by smoke jumpers out of the Missoula, MT operation and training facility. (They also use a Sherpa there.) HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #7 August 30, 2009 Kinda looks weird... A DC-3 without slimy tires or a puddle big enough for Super Fund consideration. Smells weird too but at least it won't spray little black oil spots all over your jumpsuit while you're out front floating. jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #8 August 30, 2009 No puddles. It's beautiful. No floaters, either; nothing but static lines and skydivers who try to arch are quickly encouraged to find another line of work. Some other pix: interior shots (facing fore and aft), a tailwheel fairing, a video camera for viewing exits, etc. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #9 August 30, 2009 It's so purty!! Look how damn clean it is! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonstark 8 #10 August 30, 2009 Did you get what the exit speed is? Those guys gotta have nerves of steel! jon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lodestar 0 #11 August 30, 2009 By Doggies, what a beautiful thing.......kinda nice knowing what the taxpayers money can do to protect our national forests...... But still, it's a sweetheart, looks outrageously modern and has all the toys in addition to the looks.... Maybe Santa will bring me one to play with, preferably on floats.....retractable ones of course..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #12 August 31, 2009 I don't remember what they said exit speed is. Rounds get out at 1,500, squares get out at 3,000. I spent a fair amount of time talking with the head of the loft. They also occasionally use Twin Otters and CASAs. He's hoping to get shiny new 400-series Otters as eventual replacements. The former chief CASA pilot for smoke jumper operations is now chief pilot for Rampart Aviation, the company that now supplies all or most all the CASAs for U.S. skydiving. I'm gonna be talking with him Tuesday. HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pirana 0 #13 August 31, 2009 What a gorgeous plane; thanks for the pictures. Any idea what it cost to convert to turbines?" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
howardwhite 6 #14 August 31, 2009 QuoteAny idea what it cost to convert to turbines? From the Basler web site: QuoteThe base price for a BT-67 is approximately US $4.5 million, plus required options. Final pricing varies based on the configuration. ($4.5 million would get you a shiny new Viking Twin Otter 400 series and some money left over.) HW Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,439 #15 August 31, 2009 Quote eventual replacements What we really need is a millionaire who wants to buy that and lease it out for skydiving as a loss-leader Man that's a pretty birdy. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve1 5 #16 August 31, 2009 In the 70's we were able to skydive out of most of the smoke jumper aircraft, in Missoula. That was when Johnson's Flying Service owned things. We'd give Johnson's a call, and within the hour we'd have a DC-3 or twin beech ready to take us to twelve five. I think we'd paid around $7.00 each for those jumps. That was a fun era. Even Jerry Bird brought his team up to take advantage of those aircraft. Under new management, all that came to a halt. I think it had something to do with liability issues. I can't say we ever jumped out of a DC-3 as nice as the one shown in you pictures..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #17 August 31, 2009 Quote It's so purty!! Look how damn clean it is! Photo: plane (3).jpg (80.4 KB) Yeah, but it still had duct tape on the door hinges. Some things never change! Like one of those American Express commercials: DC3 turbine upgrade: $4.5 million Roll of duct tape: $2.95 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
377 22 #18 August 31, 2009 I saw some newsgroup reports that the South African Air Force was unhappy with their Basler DC 3 turbine conversions and are selling them off. Any known reasons for their dissatisfaction? 3772018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
africapete 0 #19 August 31, 2009 QuoteI saw some newsgroup reports that the South African Air Force was unhappy with their Basler DC 3 turbine conversions and are selling them off. Any known reasons for their dissatisfaction? --------------------------------------------- I had the privilege of jumping from the South African Air Force Turbine DC 3's on numerous occasions and the weirdest thing to me always was this plane that approached the airport that LOOKED like a DC 3 but did not sound like one at all ! As far as I know the SAAF did the conversions themselves and there were quite a few C of G problems , and the Turbines were grounded from skydiving operations for a while. Don't know what their current status is, but a very nice jump ship - maybe because I have a soft spot for the old Daks [ Dakotas ]. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites 377 22 #20 September 1, 2009 You are right. I incorrrectly thought the SAAF conversions were done by Basler. From a scale model website: 7/23/2005- Updated information on the Heritage Aviation conversion! David Gait emailed me with the following information- "The conversion set for the BT67 produced by Heritage Aviation is not for the Basler. It is based on the South African Air Force (SAAF) conversion, which is similar to the Conroy Conversion. The fuselage plug forward of the wing is the same, but the engine configuration is different- notably, the exhaust for the SAAF is either side, while the exhaust for the Basler is above the engine. Also, the fairing aft of the Basler engine is squared off, whereas the SAAF uses the orginal fairing. The Basler wing tips are aslo modified. I did prepare masters of the engines and wing tips for Heritage Aviatin (Martin Brundle) two years ago, and I am still awaiting production. I know of several other modellers who are interested in this as well." *************** I once saw the Conroy Tri Turbo Three at Santa Barbara CA. That DC 3 had THREE PT-6 turboprop engines (one on the nose). Check out these photos: Note the big radome on the belly in one photo. http://www.douglasdc3.com/polair/polair.htm 3772018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
377 22 #20 September 1, 2009 You are right. I incorrrectly thought the SAAF conversions were done by Basler. From a scale model website: 7/23/2005- Updated information on the Heritage Aviation conversion! David Gait emailed me with the following information- "The conversion set for the BT67 produced by Heritage Aviation is not for the Basler. It is based on the South African Air Force (SAAF) conversion, which is similar to the Conroy Conversion. The fuselage plug forward of the wing is the same, but the engine configuration is different- notably, the exhaust for the SAAF is either side, while the exhaust for the Basler is above the engine. Also, the fairing aft of the Basler engine is squared off, whereas the SAAF uses the orginal fairing. The Basler wing tips are aslo modified. I did prepare masters of the engines and wing tips for Heritage Aviatin (Martin Brundle) two years ago, and I am still awaiting production. I know of several other modellers who are interested in this as well." *************** I once saw the Conroy Tri Turbo Three at Santa Barbara CA. That DC 3 had THREE PT-6 turboprop engines (one on the nose). Check out these photos: Note the big radome on the belly in one photo. http://www.douglasdc3.com/polair/polair.htm 3772018 marks half a century as a skydiver. Trained by the late Perry Stevens D-51 in 1968. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
