Photograph:
Amsco Monoplane VH-UKZ (c/n 1) thought to be at Belmont Common near Geelong in 1929 (Frank Walters collection)
Country of origin:
Australia
Description:
Single-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 25 kw (34 hp) ABC Scorpion Mk II two-cylinder air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.8 m (25 ft 6 in)
- Length: 5.18 m (17 ft)
- Height: 1.82 m (6 ft)
- Max speed: 161 km/h (100 mph)
History:
In 1929 the Pratt brothers, Percy and Charles, at Geelong near Melbourne, VIC commenced work on a light aircraft known as the Amsco monoplane at the Workshops of AMSCO at Belmont Common near Geelong initially along the lines of a Heath parasol. Constructed with spruce and plywood with fabric covering, it was designed by George McKenzie and was fitted with an ABC Scorpion engine. It was completed in June 1929 and, as VH-UKZ, made its first flight in the hands of Percy Pratt on 2 June that year. It was placed on the civil register to Percy J Pratt on 4 July 1929. However, the aircraft had many engine failures and suffered a number of minor crashes, some modifications being made to overcome this problem.
Consideration was given to putting the aircraft into production, it being announced that it would cost half the price of a de Havilland DH.60. However, there was not much interest in the aircraft and, with the onset of the Great Depression, it did not go into production. VH-UKZ remained as the personal aircraft of Mr Pratt until eventually retired on 7 November 1930. The registration lapsed on 3 July 1931. It is believed to be one of the few homebuilt aircraft of the era to have received a registration and is thought to have ended its days at Parkes, NSW.