At 15:32 8/09/99 , you wrote: >My friend in New Zealand tells me that there is a coupe in NZ which flew from >England (or was it France?) in about 1947. I think it is still there. >Island hopped, I reckon! The Tasman Sea is a big hop!! I suppose it was
>originally shipped to England. Wayne N3544H > That sounds unlikely. It could certainly fly from the UK to Australia although it would take a heck of a long time but the Tasman crossing is tough. The only way it could do it would be Australia to Lord Howe Island, 300 nm. Lord Howe to Norfolk, 450 nm and then on to NZ 450nm. to the closest point. These are approximate distances. To find those islands after such long flights in this region in 1947 would be amazing. The met forecasts were very poor out there then, (still are) and at 90 knots, being generous, very little reserve of fuel would be available. In other words miss the island and you cant get back. Single engine aircraft are flown out from the US to Australia and the UK using long range tanks but Australia is a bit hard to miss. Very easy to miss the small islands in the Tasman and the weather can be serious IFR. My guess they were shipped out. If it was flown out I raise my hat to the pilot. It would be nice to get the facts on this as it would have to be the longest Ercoupe flight ever. Regards Brian Garrett 5 O'Donnell St Viewbank 3084 Australia (613) 9459 1779 Sonerai II VH-JGB 415C VH-???
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