1980->

Thurston Teal TSC-1A / Schweitzer Teal / Teal Aircraft Teal

TerryLeave a comment

Thurston Aircraft Corp designed and manufactured the TSC-1A1 Teal two/three-seat light amphibian later acquired by Schweizer and later Teal Aircraft Corporation.

The TSC-1A Teal prototype N1968T first flew in June 1968 and, selling for $17,150, fifteen went to the USN. The improved TSC-1A1 Teal flew in 1972.

The TSC-1A2 Teal II N2020 first flew in October 1972. The TSC-1A2 Teal II was an improved version featuring slotted trailing-edge flaps, new wing leading-edge fuel tanks, optional hull fuel tank, and independent retraction of the tail wheel.

TSC-1A2 Teal II

From 1976 Teal Aircraft Corp held manufacturing and tooling rights for the Thurston Teal, which was previously owned by Schweizer Aircraft Corporation. It was being produced by Teal Aircraft in St. Augustine, Florida, at the rate of 24 a year. For about $40,000, they’ll put you into the 150 horsepower Teal II, which cruises at 102 knots and carries a 765 pound equipped useful load. For $2,000 more, they’ll sell you the same airplane with a 180 hp engine the Teal III. The TSC-1A3 Teal III first flying in September 1991.

Thurston Aeromarine Corp superseded International Aeromarine; initially to produce two-seat Teal III amphibian (delivered from 1995), then expected to be followed by Seafire four-seat amphibian.

Thurston TSC-1A N2005T

Gallery

TSC-1A Teal
Engine: Lycoming O-320-A3B, 150hp
Wingspan: 31’11”
Length: 23’7″
Useful load: 600 lb
Max speed: 125 mph
Cruise speed: 108 mph
Stall: 54 mph
Range: 400 mi
Seats: 2
No built: 15

TSC-1A1 Teal

TSC-1A2 Teal II
Engine: Lycoming O-320-A3B, 150hp
Wingspan: 31’11” / 9.73 m
Length: 23’7″ / 7.19 m
Empty weight: 1435 lb / 651 kg
MTOW: 2200 lb / 998 kg
Useful load: 565 lb
Max cruise 5000ftt/1525m: 116 mph / 101 kt / 187 kph
Stall: 52 mph
ROC: 650 fpm / 198 m/min
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft / 3660 m
Range econ cruise 96kt/110mph/177kph 45min res: 472 mi / 410 nm / 759 kph
Range econ cruise 96kt/110mph/177kph 45min res opt fuel: 748 mi / 650 nm / 1203 kph
Seats: 2
Baggage capacity: 230 lb / 104 kg
Price 1974: $22,475

TSC-1A3 Teal III
Engine: Textron Lycoming O-360-1F6D, 180hp
Wingspan: 36’0″
Length: 23’10”
Useful load: 800 lb
Max speed: 116 mph
Cruise speed: 112 mph
Stall: 55 mph
Range: 500 mi
Seats: 2

Teal Aircraft Corp TSC 1A3 Marlin
Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1F6D, 180 hp
Seats: 2/4
Wing loading: 14.7 lb/sq.ft
Pwr loading: 12.8 lb/hp
Max TO wt: 2300 lb
Empty wt: 1435 lb
Equipped useful load: 782 lb
Payload max fuel: 350 lb
Range max fuel/ 75% pwr: 561 nm/ 5.3 hr
Range max fuel/ 55% pwr: 739 nm/ 7.7 hr
Service ceiling: 14,000 ft
75% cruise: 104 kt. 55% cruise: 96 kt
Stall: 45 kt
1.3 Vso: 59 kt
ROC: 700 fpm
Min field length land / water: 1000 / 1300 ft

TSC-1A1

Thurston

TerryLeave a comment

David Thurston
(David) Thurston-Erlandsen Corp (TEC)
Thurston Aeromarine Corp
1966: Thurston Aircraft Corp
Sanford ME.
USA

Thurston Aircraft Corp was organized in July 1966 by David B. Thurston to develop marine aircraft. It designed and manufactured the TSC-1A1 Teal two/three-seat light amphibian later acquired by Schweizer and later Teal Aircraft Corporation.

Thurston Aeromarine Corp superseded International Aeromarine; initially to produce two-seat Teal III amphibian (delivered from 1995), then expected to be followed by Seafire four-seat amphibian. Also then anticipated was eight-seat Seamaster with two turboprop engines.

In 1972 Schweizer Aircraft Corp acquired all rights to the Teal Amphibian (Thurston became engr mgr).

In 1976 Teal Aircraft Corp, St Augustine FL, bought Teal production rights from Schweizer (D Thurston as vice-pres).

Intl Aeromarine Corp, Sanford FL, partly owned by Thurston Aeromarine Corp, Cumberland Foreside ME.

Thunder & Colt Cloudhopper / Lindstrand Cloudhopper

TerryLeave a comment
Cloudhopper

The original (circa 1980) Thunder & Colt Cloudhopper is a 21,000 cu ft single seater, weighing only 56 kg and carries the pilot strapped to the LPG cylinder. Designed for one person, the Cloudhopper has a 10 Imp.Gal propane tank. The harness also provides restraint when using an emergency parachute system.

The single-person hot air Cloudhopper balloons are easy to handle, take off and land in small areas, and are easy to transport – packs into an estate car.

The Lindstrand Cloudhopper is constructed from a tubular stainless steel frame fitted with padded fold flat seat, backrest, harness, footrest and removable mirror. Standard V30 & V40 cylinders can be used with the Lindstrand Cloudhopper.

The burner has been specially developed for the cloudhopper and provides attachment to the main framework and to the envelope flying wires.

Features of the cloudhopper burner:
Main and liquid fire burner igniter and pressure gauge
May be quickly removed and stored in a separate bag
Can be supplied with independent or locked rotation

The Lindstrand Cloudhopper is supplied with a choice of envelope sizes; 21A, 25A, 31A, 35A.

The design changes incorporate an easy to store inflation handle, wheel option for easy removal from the landing site, and hip protection for those more exciting landings.

Thunder & Colt Cloudhopper
Capacity: 21,000 cu ft
Seats: 1
Weight: 56 kg
Fuel capacity: 10 Imp.Gal propane

Lindstrand Cloudhopper
Capacity: 14,000 cu.ft
Seats: 1

Thunder & Colt GA-42

TerryLeave a comment

T&C produced the GA-42 non-rigid helium airship which was capable of carrying two people and featured state of the art fly by wire controls. The rights to the GA-42 design were acquired by the American Blimp Corporation when T&C was acquired by Cameron in 1995.

Thunder & Colt AX-8

TerryLeave a comment
AX-8-90 Srs.II

All AX8-90 and AX8-105 (S.2) are certified under Federal Aviation Administration USA B2EU

AX8-84

AX8-90
1972
Persons: 5
Diameter: 59 ft
Height: 72 ft
Volume: 90,000 cu.ft
Weight: 700 lb
Payload: 1971 lb
Burner: 16 Million BTU/hr
Fuel capacity: 40 USG
Cost: (1972): US$ 10,293
FAI AX-8

AX8-90
90,000 cu.ft
MAUW: 900 kg
2011 Price: US$26,730

AX-8-90 Srs.II
Capacity: 90,000 cu.ft

AX8-105
1972
Persons: 6
Diameter: 61 ft
Height: 74 ft
Volume: 105,000 cu.ft
Weight: 870 lb
Payload: 2299 lb
Burner: 16 Million BTU/hr
Fuel capacity: 60 USG
Cost: (1972): US$ 11,390
FAI AX-8

AX-8-105
105,000 cu.ft
2011 Price: US$27,635

Thunder & Colt AS 105

TerryLeave a comment
A T&C AS 105 Mk II hot air airship at the 1996 Worlds in Italy.

Mk2 Gondola and 105,000 cu.ft. Mk2 envelope

With the thermal airship, the shape is maintained by a small pressurising motor while the heat is supplied in the same manner as a common or garden hot air balloon, via a large twin burner. Fuel for both motors and the heating is supplied from two 100 litre LPG tanks.

All AS-105 are certified under Civil Aviation Authority UK AN 17803

Length: 34 m
Height: 13 m
MAUW: 750 kg
Fuel: LPG
Fuel cap: 2 x 100 lt
Endurance: 2 hr
Envelope capacity. 105,000 cu.ft
Max envelope temp: 120 degC
Max envelope pressure: 14 mm/Hg
Vertical rate of climb: 500 ft/min
Service ceiling. 6000 ft
Normal operational altitude minimum legal
Structural cruise: 12 14 kt
Vne: 15 kt
Forward propulsion: Honda, 600 cc V-twin lquid cooled
Seating capacity: 2 persons

AS-105 MkII
Length overall: 34.0 m (111 ft 6.5 in)
Max. diameter: 13.87 m (45 ft 6 in)
Volume: 2,973.3 cu.m (105,000 cu ft)
Max. speed: 37 km/h (23 mph)
Endurance: 2 h 30 min

Thunder & Colt AS56 Blimp

TerryLeave a comment

The circa 1885 Thunder and Colt Pressurized Thermal Airship instead of using helium for lift, uses low pressure (3 psi) hot air to provide static lift. The hot air is supplied by a hot air balloon burner located above the pilot’s head inside the hull. Directly beneath the burner is a modified 2 stroke engine that drives a small fan that provides constant pressure in order to provide rigidity to the hull. Behind the pilot is a 24 horsepower 3-cylinder 2 stroke German Konig radial engine that swings a 52″ pusher propeller
A Certified Aircraft

The pilot climbs by raising the temperature inside the hull. He descends by allowing it to cool. There is a small amount (20%) of dynamic lift that increases with speed. Rudder only.

Gallery

Top speed: 23 mph / 20 kt
Cruise: 15 mph
Useful Load: 250 lb
Endurance w/res: 1.5 hr
Seats: 1