Thomas To-17b Thunderfly: Laos, December 1967

[zenrat]

Thomas To-17b Thunderfly.  Laos December 1967

Produced to fill a requirement identified by the governments of the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania for a "Peoples Plane" the Thomas To-17 was intended from the outset to be easy to fly, simple to maintain, rough strip capable and cheap to produce.
Designed by South Australian émigré Brian "Damage" Thomas its small size surprised those present at it's public unveiling in 1961.  Indeed, rumours spread amongst the aviation community that this was due to Damage confusing inches and cm when he drew up his design.  Rumours he enjoyed so much he encouraged them by grinning slyly, winking and refusing to deny them for the rest of his life.  The small size also led to it being named the Thrip ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrips ).
Thomas' design was a completely orthodox all metal low winged monoplane powered by the then new all aluminium 130 Hp three cylinder Victa M0W3r engine.
Entering series production in 1962 the Thrip was an immediate success in all three states being adopted by all branches of the governments that required single seat aircraft for light transportation, observation, patrolling or search duties.  The small package delivery service of the Post Offices were particularly keen users as were Victoria's collective farms who loved their ultra low speed capability for mustering cattle and sheep, checking fences and even occasionally crop spraying.  Completely without vices the Thrip was claimed, in true 1960's fashion to be "so easy to fly even a sheila could learn" and more than one farmer alleged he had taught his cattle dog to do so.
While the veracity of the canine aviators is dubious what is without doubt is that Thomas met the simple to maintain criteria masterfully.  The whole aircraft could be stripped down and rebuilt with tools which, while not as simple as the fencing pliers and a rock some users claimed, were certainly those which would be found in the typical moderately equipped outback workshop of the time.
Although not fast, sexy or heavily armed enough for the PDRV Airforce (a parasite fighter version was proposed but dropped when it was realised it would be unable to keep up with the bombers it was to be defending) the To-17 was nonetheless welcomed with open arms by the Army and the Navy who recognised it was ideally suited for spotting and communications duties.
Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 012 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Two military versions were produced from mid 1964 fitted with the 170hp Victa Major engine.  The Army model being designated the To-17b Thunderfly while the Navy called theirs (differing only in having folding wings) the Sandfly.  Neither variant was armed although some Army aircraft were fitted in the field with smoke rockets for target marking.  Development as a counter insurgency strike aircraft was regularly proposed but never came to anything due to the severe payload limits it's small size and relatively low powered engine imposed.
Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 009 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
This did not stop overseas users though, with Thunderflies and Sandflies being supplied to France, Argentina, Cuba, The Soviet Union, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, The Wight People's Democracy, Free Man, The West Chiltington Popular Front and many small African and Central American nations.
Widespread military use lasted until the late seventies when the Thrip derivatives were phased out in favour of helicopters.  Navy aircraft ended their days as unmanned target drones for training anti aircraft gunners while Army Thunderflies were transferred to the Air Force who after unsuccessfully trying to convert them into air launched cruise missiles reconditioned those that remained and gave them away as retirement gifts to senior officers.
Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 011 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Limited production of the non military Thrip continued until the 1990's with the final aircraft coming off the production line in January 1994.
Many Thrip continue to fly to this day.   Uprated engines are common and when fitted with appropriate noise suppression their ability to silently move small packages into rough strips have made them popular those who wish to cross international borders without any official entanglement.
Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 007 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

General characteristics (Thomas To-17b Thunderfly)
Crew: one
Length: 18 ft 11 in
Wingspan: 26 ft
Wing area: 132 ft²
Empty Weight: 1,115 lb
Loaded weight: 1,825 lb
Powerplant: 1 × Victa M0W3r Major 3-cylinder inline, 170 hp
Performance
Maximum Speed: 186 mph at 1,000 ft
Cruising Speed: 105 mph
Range: 485 miles
Service Ceiling: 13,600 ft
Rate of Climb: 823 ft/min
Armament
none

Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 003 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
The aircraft modelled depicts Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 'Blue 10' flown by Commissar Colonel Vlad Fnord of the Red Army peace-keeping mission in Laos December 1967.  These aircraft were fitted with the Stalker noise suppressor which, when the pilot moved the baffles into position (with the lever fitted to the muffler) cut exhaust noise to a whisper.  It also cut power by 2/3 and so if you wanted to get off he ground could only be operated once in the air.  The 'peace-keepers' aircraft were fitted with drop tanks that when combined with the Stalker enabled them to silently loiter over the Ho Chi Min International Peace Road all night long 'observing' the Pathet Lao in their fight against US backed South Vietnamese terrorists.
Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 002 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model – Zvezda 1/100 Dusty Cropsprayer scaleorama'd to 1/72.  Scratchbuilt interior, windscreen, radiator and exhaust.  Tamiya Mig 29 scoop as an air intake and an Academy P39 drop tank.
Pilot is an Elhiem figures 'early helicopter pilot', paint is a bastardised USAF SEA scheme (roughly based on that on an Academy Dragonfly) hand brushed in Gunze and Vallejo acrylics and decals are from the aforementioned Fulcrum.
Thomas To-17b Thunderfly 001 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Oh, and a Matchbox stand.  I miss the days when you got a stand with your model.  I didn't use them often but it was nice to have the option.  I used one this time as there was a perfectly sized slot in the bottom of the fuselage and the stand was kicking about the bench from the Helldiver whiff.

[Old Wombat]

"What a cute little aircraft!"

"Can we take it home, Mummy? I promise to feed it & water it & wash it every day! Can we, Mummy?"

"Why don't you go & ask your father, dear?!"

[zenrat]

 

[Weaver]

Spendid stuff!

I wonder what could be made from the other Planes planes?

[NARSES2]

Fantastic stuff 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

I'm on the lookout for another one of these but I want the Planes - Fire & Rescue amphibian floatplane version.  I made this one open so as to keep it simple and as I don't have a lot of spare canopies.
A 1/48 pilot might fit but it'd be tight.  You might have to cut down the cockpit sides to give elbow room.

I'm wondering if Zvezda do a 1/100 kit of Cabbie the C119.  Scaleoramaing that to 1/72 could give a good basis for a heavy fighter...

[Tophe]

funny mix of 1967 and 1907 aspect...

[Mossie]

That I like!

Zvezda don't do Cabbie that I'm aware of.

Here's the full range:
http://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=8280&code=&product_type_id=&scale_id=&keyword_search=planes&setPerPage=25&currency_id=

They even do a stand.

I've wondered about converting Lil, she's a reasonable size and might make a good medium size floatplane.  Bravo as well, leave the top of his 'head' off and you've got a cockpit space.  Ryker is the other one, he might well make for a 1/72 AFV/APC.

[comrade harps]

Cute plane and backstory. 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.
Thanks for the link Mossie.

[zenrat]

funny mix of 1967 and 1907 aspect...

BY 1907 you are referring to the exhaust?
Thats the "Stalker" noise suppression system.  A large volume muffler system that reduces the sound of the exhaust down to a whisper.  There is a lever on the side (you can see the red knob on the top in some of the pics) which the pilot can operate to open and close baffles.  With baffles open the exhaust goes straight through the system and it's noisy but you get more power.  Move the lever to close the baffles and exhaust goes through the complex muffler system cutting noise but also reducing engine output.

[Captain Canada]

That's a neat little aeroplane ! I really like the look of the camo.

[zenrat]

Thanks Cap'n.