Curtain Bros Beechcraft 1900D VH-VPZ

While thoroughly enjoying some planespotting at Townsville Airport, North Queensland in October 2014, we located the old Hawker Pacific hangar which reportedly, now owned by Townsville based property development, shipping, manufacturing and mining project company - Curtain Bros Pty Ltd.

 

Upon taking control of the old HP hangar, the facility became home for two Curtain Bros operated aircraft, Beechcraft B200C Super King Air VH-CBZ and Beechcraft 1900D VH-VPZ, as well as the base for two local aviation businesses whom each lease a section of the hangar to support their own operations.

 

On the day of our presence, Curtain Bros Beechcraft B200C Super King Air VH-CBZ was away on a job, however, secured and resting peacefully in the hangar was Beechcraft 1900D VH-VPZ.

 

Reguarly used to transport company employees between Townsville and Port Moresby, PNG among other locations, VH-VPZ is an 1998 manufactured aircraft powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67D turboprop engines.

 

While not necessarily specific to VH-VPZ, the Beechcraft 1900D is capable of cruising at 280 knots (518 km/h, 322 mph), certified to a service ceiling of 25000 ft (7620 m) and achieve a range with full load (typical layout in airline configuration for 19 passengers) in excess of 1000 km (620 miles).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planespotting in North Queensland - Townsville

While holidaying at the North Queensland city of Townsville in October 2014, we were delighted to discover there was a flight path adjacent to the luxury apartments at Thuringowa we stayed at for a week, and took advantage to capture some of the activity coming and going from Townsville Airport.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VAN'S RV-10 VH-XTE sighted at Maryborough Airport

Sighted parked and resting peacefully adjacent to the Maryborough Aviation Services hangar at Maryborough Airport on Saturday, August 08, was Amateur Built VAN'S RV-10 VH-XTE.

 

Assembled in 2014 and capable of seating up to four occupants (incl pilot), VH-XTE is powered by a Textron-Lycoming, IO-540, 6-cylinder piston engine enabling the aircraft to achieve a maximum speed of 175 - 180 knots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Wings and Wheels 2015' with Mike - Mackay Airport

As highlighted in an earlier post, the Mackay Aero Club held their annual 'Wings and Wheels' event at Mackay Airport on Sunday, August 16, and by all accounts, was a successful day with a variety of aircraft, classic cars, motorbikes and model aircraft entertaining the crowd. 

 

With many thanks to Mike Manning of 'Mackay and SE Queensland Storms & Astro', Air Queensland.blogspot is able to share more wonderful photo's captured at 'Wings and Wheels 2015'.

 

Of interest, 'Mackay and SE Queensland Storms & Astro' can be found by clicking onto the following link : https://www.facebook.com/mackaystorms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

All photo's contributed by Mike Manning.