Photograph:
Pereira Osprey VH-BKV (c/n S20) at Nowra, NSW in 1996 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Two-seat light amateur-built amphibian
Power Plant:
One 112 kw (150 hp) Lycoming O-320 four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.921 m (26 ft)
- Length: 6.25 m (20 ft 6 in)
- Height wheels down: 1.83 m (6 ft)
- Wing area: 12.08 m² (130 sq ft)
- Max speed: 241 km/h (150 mph)
- Max cruising speed: 209 km/h (130 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 365 m/min (1,200 ft/min)
- Stalling speed: 97 km/h (60 mph)
- Range: 885 km (550 miles)
- Empty weight: 440 kg (970 lb)
- Loaded weight: 707 kg (1,560 lb)
History:
The Osprey was designed as a light two-seat amphibian for the amateur constructor, to be operated from smooth, enclosed areas of water and not from the open sea, for which most amphibians are designed. One of the smallest designed flying boats, the prototype of the series, the Osprey, also known as the X-28A Air Skimmer, was built of fir and pine, with the vertical fin as an integral part of the structure. The hull was skinned with mahogany plywood and fibreglass. The steel-tube pylon for the engine was bolted to the wing centre section, with the wings being able to be folded. Power was provided by a 67 kw (90 hp) Continental engine. This prototype was purchased in July 1971 by the US Navy to study the potential of a light seaplane for civil police duties in South-East Asia.
The Osprey II, a development of the earlier design, was a two-seater with an enclosed cockpit and streamlined hull. Designed by George Pereira, the first of this new model was flown in April 1973, becoming airborne in less than 244 m (800 ft). During test flying the cabin noise level was found to be too high, and modifications were carried out, these including lengthening the cabin by 0.18 m (7 in), and installation of a Lycoming O-320 engine in place of the Franklin Sport which was fitted for early testing.
Basically of all-wood construction, the hull was finished in an unusual manner. After the fuselage is complete, urethane foam is attached to the bottom and then sculptured into shape before several layers of fibreglass are added. The wings are of all-wood construction with a single-box spar. The engine was fitted in the pusher fashion on top of a steel-tube pylon. A retractable tricycle-type undercarriage was fitted.
Plans were marketed throughout the world and a number of examples have been built in this region. The first to be completed was VH-PCH (c/n V.50) in mid 1980; followed by VH-BKV (c/n S.20) the registration of which was revoked on 17 August 2006; VH-OLC which during early testing at Tyabb, VIC made a forced landing and was written off; VH-JDA (c/n N.144) which during early testing swung on take off and was extensively damaged, being written off; VH-LII (c/n V.83) which suffered a bird strike, crashed and was destroyed; and VH-WID³ (c/n WJC.003) completed in 2016.
An example appears on the Australian RAA register as 19-3502 (c/n 1) described as an Osprey Long-wing fitted with a Jabiru 3300 engine. Another aircraft described as an Osprey II was registered as 10-1292 (c/n 74813) on 10 May 1991 and was fitted with a Rotax 447 engine. Nothing is known about this aircraft but it was withdrawn from service on 9 May 2009. In New Zealand ZK-KGB (c/n AACA/573) and ZK-RJT (c/n AACA/57/2) have been registered to private owners.