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ZS-VHL (South African Registration)
SN: 9820 / 7752 ??
Manufactured 1946
Owned by Zak Kotze since 2008.
I wish this plane could tell me its history. The logbooks I have dates back to August 1964 at which time she accumulated 1484 hours already. Something that is a little confusing is the Serial number. The number stamped on the back of the throttle plate is definitly 9820. The paperwork however says serial number 7752. I cannot find that number anywhere on the fuselage, original data plate unfortunatly also does not exist anymore.
I bought it as a basket case. Last flew in 1984. From the logbooks it was registered originally in South Africa as ZS-CCW. It had at least one mayor incident in the 1970’s but was repaired and flew again until it was torn down and stripped in 1980’s to be rebuild completely. At that time it was re-registered as ZS-VHL putting it in the experimental class.
The owner at that time, who was a commercial pilot, had a fatal accident in bad weather, shortly after the rebuild started. The stripped down aircraft was sold and went through 3 different owners, until I bought it in 2008. According to its logs total time on the airframe is 2793 hours.
I have searched the FAA website, but it does not seem to have been registered in the USA.
I got the project with an 0-200 engine, which will hopefully go in soon. I have done the wing mods to upgrade to 1500lbs gross. Full electrics, bigger baggage compartment & two wing tanks.
This is what I bought - Very proud, having no idea what I let myself in for (August 2007).
I thought I bought a complete aircraft, but a lot of the smaller bits and pieces got lost over the years as it changed home several times
Its a few years later and some progress has been made.
Fuselage covered & silvered, instrument panel, interior, doors and all electrics done (May 2011).
Trying the undercarriage with the new 850 tyres and Hydraulic brakes (July 2011).
Headliner going in (August 2011).
Bigger baggage compartment (August 2011).
And recently it changed colour from silver to white (September 2011)
Engine is finally in, now to extend those cowls to suite the long mount (October 2011)
Starting to look like a plane, still haven't had the courage to extend those cowls, but that would be the project for the upcoming December holidays (December 2011).
Finally, after 8 months since the previous photo I can report some good progress. Engine cowls, baffles & exhaust all done and a 1000 small things that eats up time. In a few weeks I should start assembling the wings
. (August 2012)
I've only been busy for 5 years...
Wings are also now complete September 2012
And hopefully this is the last time on a trailer, hope to fit the wings this weekend. 28 Sept '12
Finally, the wings are on with the help of a few good friends. Now it start to look like a proper aircraft again - 29 Sept 2012
99.9% done. Basically just paperwork that remains. 17 Nov '12
Finally, the big day arrived.
CAA gave the go ahead on Thursday and test flight was done successfully on 1 Feb 2013.
5 years and a few months after restoration started, Taylorcraft ZS-VHL took to the air for the first time in 28 years.
Thanks to Oom Mieg du Toit for doing the test flight. He flew 3 sorties and on the fourth I went along. Handles great and engine seems to perform great, with temps end pressures well within parameters.
The realization is still sinking in, but must admit it is a great feeling
SN: 9820 / 7752 ??
Manufactured 1946
Owned by Zak Kotze since 2008.
I wish this plane could tell me its history. The logbooks I have dates back to August 1964 at which time she accumulated 1484 hours already. Something that is a little confusing is the Serial number. The number stamped on the back of the throttle plate is definitly 9820. The paperwork however says serial number 7752. I cannot find that number anywhere on the fuselage, original data plate unfortunatly also does not exist anymore.
I bought it as a basket case. Last flew in 1984. From the logbooks it was registered originally in South Africa as ZS-CCW. It had at least one mayor incident in the 1970’s but was repaired and flew again until it was torn down and stripped in 1980’s to be rebuild completely. At that time it was re-registered as ZS-VHL putting it in the experimental class.
The owner at that time, who was a commercial pilot, had a fatal accident in bad weather, shortly after the rebuild started. The stripped down aircraft was sold and went through 3 different owners, until I bought it in 2008. According to its logs total time on the airframe is 2793 hours.
I have searched the FAA website, but it does not seem to have been registered in the USA.
I got the project with an 0-200 engine, which will hopefully go in soon. I have done the wing mods to upgrade to 1500lbs gross. Full electrics, bigger baggage compartment & two wing tanks.
This is what I bought - Very proud, having no idea what I let myself in for (August 2007).
I thought I bought a complete aircraft, but a lot of the smaller bits and pieces got lost over the years as it changed home several times
Its a few years later and some progress has been made.
Fuselage covered & silvered, instrument panel, interior, doors and all electrics done (May 2011).
Trying the undercarriage with the new 850 tyres and Hydraulic brakes (July 2011).
Headliner going in (August 2011).
Bigger baggage compartment (August 2011).
And recently it changed colour from silver to white (September 2011)
Engine is finally in, now to extend those cowls to suite the long mount (October 2011)
Starting to look like a plane, still haven't had the courage to extend those cowls, but that would be the project for the upcoming December holidays (December 2011).
Finally, after 8 months since the previous photo I can report some good progress. Engine cowls, baffles & exhaust all done and a 1000 small things that eats up time. In a few weeks I should start assembling the wings
. (August 2012)I've only been busy for 5 years...
Wings are also now complete
September 2012And hopefully this is the last time on a trailer, hope to fit the wings this weekend. 28 Sept '12
Finally, the wings are on with the help of a few good friends. Now it start to look like a proper aircraft again - 29 Sept 2012
99.9% done. Basically just paperwork that remains. 17 Nov '12
Finally, the big day arrived.
CAA gave the go ahead on Thursday and test flight was done successfully on 1 Feb 2013.
5 years and a few months after restoration started, Taylorcraft ZS-VHL took to the air for the first time in 28 years.
Thanks to Oom Mieg du Toit for doing the test flight. He flew 3 sorties and on the fourth I went along. Handles great and engine seems to perform great, with temps end pressures well within parameters.
The realization is still sinking in, but must admit it is a great feeling
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