Aircraft [Transavia PL-12 Airtruk ZK CVB]
Maker and role
The Transfield Corporation, Manufacturer
Luigi Pellarini, Designer
Barr Brothers, Other contributor
Production date
1966
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
2004.299
Production period
Description
Transavia Airtruk PL12 - a short-bodied biplane with twin wide-spaced booms. The cockpit at the top of the fuselage is 3 metres above the ground. A large fertilizer hopper is positioned behind the cockpit. The lower wing span is about 30% of the upper wingspan. Single seater aircraft, designed commercially for agricultural purposes. The basic airframe was stressed to +3.8 and -2G, and was built around a 1-tonne capacity hopper. The payload could be solid or liquid.
Brief History
Designed specifically for agricultural use, the Transavia PL 12 Airtruk was a popular type of aircraft used in the 1960s-1980s for topdressing. Its distinctive features include the twin tails – a design feature which allowed access for fertilizer trucks to tip fertilizer directly into the aircraft. Around 150 of this type of aircraft were manufactured.
Transavia PL12 Airtruk ZK CVB was imported into New Zealand by top-dressing company Barr Brothers Limited in the late 1960s. It was operated until around 1982 when it was retired from use and stored. ZK CVB was donated to MOTAT during the mid-1990s and underwent a restoration in 1996-97.
Transavia PL12 Airtruk ZK CVB was imported into New Zealand by top-dressing company Barr Brothers Limited in the late 1960s. It was operated until around 1982 when it was retired from use and stored. ZK CVB was donated to MOTAT during the mid-1990s and underwent a restoration in 1996-97.
Marks
TRANSAVIA AIRTRUK PL12
McCAULEY Sticker
McCAULEY Sticker
Other name
Airtruk PL12
Credit Line
The Transfield Corporation et al. 1966. Aircraft [Transavia PL-12 Airtruk ZK CVB], 2004.299. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
Public comments
Be the first to comment on this object record.