Photo ID: 1011451
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Model: Noorduyn Norseman UC-64A |
Registration: N225BL |
| Year: 1943 |
Serial Number: c/n 542, USAAF 44-70277 |
| Engine(s): P&W R1340-AN1, 600-HP |
Owner: Steve L. Ingram & Thomas J. Gayer
Cooper Landing, AK |
Location: Kenai Lake
Cooper Landing, AK |
Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
| Date: July 2004 |
Present Registration: Same |
Present Owner (FAA info): Same |
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Notes: 9/16/04 - When Elaine and I were taking photos at the airport in Seward, several guys told us about a Norseman at Cooper Landing. I would have driven well out of my way to see it, but fortunately it was right on our way to Homer.
The Norseman was built by Noorduyn Aviation Ltd., of Montreal, Canada. It was issued CAA Aircraft Specification No. A-2-578 as a "9 PCLM", or nine-place cabin land monoplane. They built 903 Norseman aircraft from 1935-59.
Steve and Diane Ingram are living out what many only dream about. Formerly from Michigan, they run Ingram's Base Camp on Kenai Lake at Cooper Landing, AK. Now, let it be said that during the busy several months of summer they work nearly day and night, but they have a good time doing it. They have this Norseman and a Cessna 185 and you can learn more about them at www.ingramsbasecamp.com.
N225BL was built as an Army UC-64A and was given s/n 44-70277. Its first civilian registration was NC54316, followed by VO-ABX in Newfoundland, and Canadian CF-GUE. Detailed history is given at the end of this section.
Some interesting Norseman web sites include http://www.norsemanhistory.ca/, http://www.mts.net/~donmag/Aircraft.htm, http://www.bcam.net/ac_rest/norse.htm, and http://www.noorduynnorseman.com/. |
Photo ID: 1011452
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Notes: The Norseman was the primary, larger bush plane for some years until the Beaver and Otter arrived. They look rugged and I'm told they are.
N225BL is a Norseman MK VI, but I haven't yet figured out what that specific model signifies.
Power is a nine-cylinder, P&W R1340-AN1, 600-HP radial as used on the North American T-6 and SNJ series.
The original prop would have been a counterweighted 2-blade, Hamilton Standard 12D40 with 6101A-12 blades (same as BT-13, T-6, SNJ), or the 3-bladed, 3D40 with the same blades. N225BL has the later model, AG-200 blades. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011453
click image to enlarge |
Notes: This is a unique float installation! Most aircraft have the float struts coming up to the fuselage, but not the Norseman. The front strut there is more like a pipe than the typical strut!
Standard Norseman fuel capacity is 245-gallons! There is a 60-gallon tank in each wing, a front fuselage tank of 45-gallons and rear fuselage tank of 80-gallons. Standard oil capacity is 23-gallons - - nearly half of a barrel! Man, this thing was designed for a lot of hours aloft. Note that I said "hours", not miles! It's not real fast. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011454
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Notes: Duck your head and climb aboard! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011455
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Notes: A combination of the old and the new! The advent of the GPS changed life in the bush! The brake pedals have been removed, suggesting that this is a dedicated floatplane. Or maybe floats and skis. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011456
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Notes: Not airline style, but you get a whole lot more roar, and shake, rattle and roll than in a global trotter. And it's pretty hard to spot bears and moose from 35,000'. The aluminum diamond plate floor is certainly easier to maintain in the bush than carpet!
Ingrams installed larger cabin windows for their flight-seeing business. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011457
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Notes: The aft baggage and cargo compartment. There is a cargo door on the left side but I couldn't get into position to photograph it. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011458
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Notes: The Norseman has a fabric covered, welded steel tubular fuselage. Those are neat lines on this old workhorse. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011459
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Notes: A stereotypical bush-plane shot. It brings back memories for many.
This aircraft has over 15,000 flight hours, mostly in Canada. I wonder how many hunters, fisherman, moose, fish and other cargo it has carried over the years. And how many stories it has to tell! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011460
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Notes: Several floats are used on the Norseman including the Edo YD-6470 and the 55A-7170's as on N225BL. As this data plate indicates, Kenmore Air now manufactures what we formerly knew as Edo floats.
Several models of skis were also used on the Norseman, and they have 30" tires when on wheels. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Information from: http://www.mts.net/~donmag/Aircraft.htm
Delivered to the USAAF as aircraft No. 44-70277. Sold as war surplus to Kansas City Southern Skyways, Kansas City, Missouri and registered as NC54316. Reported as sold into Newfoundland and registered as VO-ABX. Bought by Queen Charlotte Airlines, Vancouver, BC. and registered as CF-GUE on December 2, 1950. Re-registered to Pacific Western Airlines in 1956 when they bought out Queen Charlotte. Registered to BC Airlines, Vancouver, BC. in 1961 and then in 1965 to M. Murchison and M. Rowley, Edmonton, Alberta. On May14, 1965 it was registered to Tyee Airways Ltd., Sechelt, BC. and then on June 6, 1968 to Geri Johnson (Gimli Air Service) Arnes, Manitoba. Registered to Northway Aviation Ltd., Arnes, Manitoba on September 6, 1974. Next registered to Mid Manitoba Air Ltd., Norway House, Manitoba on July 5, 1993. Registered to Sioux Lookout Fly-in Camps, Sioux Lookout, Ontario on August 8, 1994 and then to Dennis Perry, Soldotna, Arkansas on May 19, 1999 as N225BL. Later in Alaska with Bear Lake Air. |
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