NZ Aerospace Industries CT-4 Primary Trainer VH-CTU
The CT-4 Air Trainer is a single engine low wing all metal monoplane with two seats side by side with a fixed tricycle undercarriage. It was designed as a fully aerobatic military basic flying training aircraft, +6G,-3G, initially powered by a 210hp Continental IO-360 piston engine. Some of the later six variants were powered by a 300hp Lycoming IO-540 piston engine. In all seven variants were produced with design improvements being introduced over the production period.
The Victa Airtourer production ceased in Australia over the inability of the Victa manufacturing organisation to obtain protection from foreign imported products with similar charateristics as the Air Tourer from the Federal Government of the day, sold the Type certificate and manufacturing and development rights, inclusive of the prototype of the four seat Victa Air Cruiser to New Zealand's Aero Engine services Limited (AESL) who produced some eighty Air Tourers during the 1970s.
The RAAF Winjeels were coming up for replacement in the early 1970s and AESL set about the design of a replacement aircraft based on the Victa Aircruiser airframe that was inherently strong but requiring redesign and modifications to be made to comply with the RAAF specifications. It was to be called the CT-4 Air Trainer.
The first of two prototypes first flew on February 23 1972. The launch customer was the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) followed by the RAAF and RNZAF and other minor players. From June 1982, spasmodic production of the CT-4 continued for smaller orders from the major players that led to a stop and start production line until January 2005 by which time 153 aircraft had been manufactured.
The Museum's CT-4A aircraft was one of the first thirty six aircraft, later rising to fifty one, purchased by the RAAF. It was delivered in May 1975, serving at the Central Flying Training School at RAAF East Sale before transferring to No 1 Flying Training School at RAAF Point Cook in late 1975. Sold at disposal in May 1993, registered VH-CTU, and moved to the RMIT's campus at Point Cook before being moved to their Bundoora Campus, where it became surplus to requirements and was donated to the Museum in December 2019 where is currently under restoration.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 2
Power plant : 1 x 210hp Continental IO-360 6 cylinder horizontally opposed engine.
Length : 23'02'' (7.06m) Wingspan : 25'11'' (7.92m) height : 8'06'' (2.59m)
Weights : empty - 1,700lbs (770kg) maximum : 2,600lbs (1,180kg)
Speeds : maximum - 209kt (240mph) (387km/hr) cruise - 152kt ( 175mph) 282km'hr)
Range : 599 miles (963km)
The Victa Airtourer production ceased in Australia over the inability of the Victa manufacturing organisation to obtain protection from foreign imported products with similar charateristics as the Air Tourer from the Federal Government of the day, sold the Type certificate and manufacturing and development rights, inclusive of the prototype of the four seat Victa Air Cruiser to New Zealand's Aero Engine services Limited (AESL) who produced some eighty Air Tourers during the 1970s.
The RAAF Winjeels were coming up for replacement in the early 1970s and AESL set about the design of a replacement aircraft based on the Victa Aircruiser airframe that was inherently strong but requiring redesign and modifications to be made to comply with the RAAF specifications. It was to be called the CT-4 Air Trainer.
The first of two prototypes first flew on February 23 1972. The launch customer was the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) followed by the RAAF and RNZAF and other minor players. From June 1982, spasmodic production of the CT-4 continued for smaller orders from the major players that led to a stop and start production line until January 2005 by which time 153 aircraft had been manufactured.
The Museum's CT-4A aircraft was one of the first thirty six aircraft, later rising to fifty one, purchased by the RAAF. It was delivered in May 1975, serving at the Central Flying Training School at RAAF East Sale before transferring to No 1 Flying Training School at RAAF Point Cook in late 1975. Sold at disposal in May 1993, registered VH-CTU, and moved to the RMIT's campus at Point Cook before being moved to their Bundoora Campus, where it became surplus to requirements and was donated to the Museum in December 2019 where is currently under restoration.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 2
Power plant : 1 x 210hp Continental IO-360 6 cylinder horizontally opposed engine.
Length : 23'02'' (7.06m) Wingspan : 25'11'' (7.92m) height : 8'06'' (2.59m)
Weights : empty - 1,700lbs (770kg) maximum : 2,600lbs (1,180kg)
Speeds : maximum - 209kt (240mph) (387km/hr) cruise - 152kt ( 175mph) 282km'hr)
Range : 599 miles (963km)