From the Highlands of PNG to the Plains of Moree
The Restoration of MAF Cessna 185E: P2-MFU
In 1989, when Fred Nolan sold his 1970 Cessna 185E VH-JBM to a King Island fisherman, the first thing that was on his mind was “I shouldn’t have done it !”.
The decision to sell at the time was based on a need for an auto-pilot and increased operations at night on corporate charter flights. “I should have pushed it back into a corner of the shed” said Fred. He bought a Cessna 310Q twin engine replacement and whilst owning that until 2005, the sale of the 185 kept playing on his mind. With 185’s increasing in value by approx 100-150% in the mean time, it seemed unlikely that he would ever own one again.
JBM was an ex-PNG aircraft P2-BAM and had been owned and operated by the Catholic Church (Fr Jeremy Flynn). Prior to that, it was an ex-Missionary Aviation Fellowship aircraft from new. JBM serial number A185E-01780 was a 1970 Model.
So what does JBM have to do with P2-MFU you say ?
In April 2010, Fred noticed an advert for a C185F project for sale. Thinking about it, he considered that an aircraft project would be similar to a Ford Mustang restoration project right ? After enquiring about the aircraft, he discovered that the “project” was in Armidale NSW not far from Moree and is actually a 1971 Model Cessna A185E, serial number 01915. It was also an ex-MAF aircraft. It was first registered in Australia at Ballarat Victoria in February 1972 as VH-MFU and later joined the MAF operation in PNG, based at Wewak on the north coast. In 1976, it is noted as already on the PNG Register as P2-MFU, until struck off on 5 July 1996. Cessna Aircraft Company ceased production of the 185E series at serial number 2090 making MFU one of the last E Model’s built, prior to the introduction of the F Series in 1973. Cessna built 4,448 Cessna 185’s overall between 1961 and 1985, of which some 1122 were E‘s. A small number were also produced in a Military configuration under another designation.
Sitting in a barn on a small farm near Armidale NSW was the 185, untouched almost since its accident in 1990 and where it been stored since 2002. On 30 June 2010, Fred was the proud owner of his second C185E, even if it was in pieces !
The Restoration:
How to restore the aircraft is now the main consideration. Whilst this decision is some way off yet, it can be done as a personal aircraft or to put MFU back as close as possible to its MAF configuration and original colour scheme (Tiger Yellow over Vestal White base). Peter Cox at Aero Enterprise Lismore NSW, a very experienced LAME and Maintenance Organisation who Fred has known since 1988, will undertake the restoration..
On 6 July, the crew from Aero Enterprise arrived in Armidale NSW to pack up and collect the aircraft from a small farm, where it had been stored for some 8 years. Following an accident in August 1990 in the Western Provinces of PNG, it was shipped (between 1990-96) to Ingham in Far North Queensland where considerable work was done on the fuselage. Since then, it has had a long history of storage, having had several owners in Wee Waa NSW, Sydney and Armidale without any work being done on it.
Detailed inspection revealed that MFU’s fuselage was in good order and the entire aircraft is free of corrosion. Both original wings require repair as do the stabiliser, fin, rudder and one flap. A number of major components are missing such as 2-Blade propeller, engine cowls, IO-520D power plant and mount, LHS wing strut, LHS aileron, tail spring/fork and tail cone. The aircraft came with a spare set of damaged wings and some new parts such as undercarriage legs and long range 300Lt fuel bladders.
Some of the missing items have since been acquired.
MFU’s restoration is expected to take some 18 months and updates will be posted on this Web Site.
Fred has been able to establish contact with two ex-MAF pilots who flew the aircraft in PNG and who have indicated that they will dig through their photo albums to locate any interesting history.
P2-MFU:
1971 Cessna Skywagon A185E
Serial Number: A185E-01915
Registered Australia: 2 February 1972
Exterior Paint – Major Colour Tiger Yellow over Vestal White Accent
Interior: Dark Brown, 7 seat in 2/3/2 configuration, Cargo tie downs, plywood floor overlay
TTSN: 9,404 as at 25 August 1990
Powerplant:
Engine: Continental IO-520D
Power: 300 hp Fuel Injected
Propeller: McCauley Model 2A34C58-N 2-Blade 82” Constant Speed
Emergency Fuel System (PNG Op’s)
Exterior:
Brakes: Hydraulic Toe Operated Disc
Cargo Pack: 300lbs payload
Wheels:
Mains: 8:00 x 6
Tail Wheel: 8” steerable full swivel
Avionics:
VHF Narco Com 11A (Replaced by AWA VC10D
AWA Skyrover HF HC-110DA-1 replaced by Collins HF-200
Audio Collins AUD250H
History Snapshot:
Sold to Brian and Jillian Bromley
Original IO-520D engine installed at Cessna Factory 18 August 1971: S/no 159960
First flight in Australia (new): 11 February 1972: TTSN 0012 Hours
On the PNG register by 6 April 1976 (ref Log Book maintenance notes)
Landing accident: TTSN 912 28 Feb 1973, Minor damage
Landing accident TTSN 2,353: Eleptamen 8 Oct 1974 RH leg, RH wing, RH Elevator & Stabiliser replaced
Landing accident TTSN: 2955 21 Nov 1975 LH Wing and tailplane section
Repainted 18 April 1975 in Ultraflex
Cargo Pod changed 19 June 1981
Minor Damage tail wheel assy TTSN: 6914 31 Aug 1982
Prop Strike TTSN 7136 4 December 1982
Engine fire: TTSN 8255 8 Aug 1984/Upper Yellow fuselage/rudder paint scheme changed to Valor Red
Sold to Brian & Jillian Brumley, Tonda Trading, Morehead Western Province PNG, August 1987
Ground loop Mt Hagen 6 August 1987: TTSN 8597 RH side damage – new owner check flight after sale
Landing accident Western Provinces, last entry: TTSN 9404 25 Aug 1990
Struck off PNG Register 5 July 1996, still registered at that time to Tonda Trading.
Engine Change Record:
Total engines installed: 6
Serial numbers: 159960/169000/220778/221366/552754 and 552336
Propeller Change Record:
Total propellers installed: 12
Serial umbers: 711740, 723538, 720346, 712534, 731640, 739087, 728564, 735349, 703871, 735336,
712835 and 735336 (2)
Aircraft listed in major component change or swap out:VH-BVY, VH-MFB, VH-MFW
Flight Log:
Feb 1972: TTSN 12
Feb 1973: TTSN 912
Feb 1974: TTSN 1793
Feb 1975: TTSN 2374
Feb 1976: TTSN 3054
Feb 1977: TTSN 3752
Feb 1978: TTSN 4626
Feb 1979: TTSN 5104
Feb 1980: TTSN 5714
Feb 1981: TTSN 6198
Feb 1982: TTSN 6657
Feb 1983: TTSN 7330
Feb 1984: TTSN 8008
Feb 1985: TTSN 8424
Feb 1986: TTSN 8521
Feb 1987: TTSN 8597
Apl 1988: TTSN 8699
Mar 1989: TTSN 9001
Aug 1990: TTSN 9404
Average 42.4 hours per month since new.
Previous Owners incl MAF to present:
Six (6)