Sanders Veenstra Thermite
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The designer of the Thermite, Sanders Veenstra, was born in Holland and migrated to Australia in his teens. He trained for and gained a Private Pilot Licence in the late 1960's.
In the 1970's he became an early pioneer of the Ultra-Light Aircraft movement in Australia. He owned several light aircraft and to finance his interest in the design of Ultra Light Aircraft, he started to import light aircraft from Britain and Europe for sale in Australia in 1978.
Between 1980 and 1985 he designed 14 different types of Ultra Lights, one of which was the Thermite, and he produced and sold some thirty aircraft.
Reverting to the design function in lieu of production and sales. Veenstra was unfortunately killed in the 1985 crash of one of his designs.
The Museum's Thermite is unique as it is an example of Australian design, and it was Veenstra's personal aircraft.
It is currently on display in the Museum.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 1 pilot.
Power plant 1 x 17hp Fuji Robin 244cc engine.
Length : 16'04'' (5.0m) Wingspan : 26'02'' (8.0m)
Weight : empty - 276lbs (125kg)
Speed : maximum - 68lt (81mph) (130km/hr) cruise - 48kt (58mph) (93km/hr)
In the 1970's he became an early pioneer of the Ultra-Light Aircraft movement in Australia. He owned several light aircraft and to finance his interest in the design of Ultra Light Aircraft, he started to import light aircraft from Britain and Europe for sale in Australia in 1978.
Between 1980 and 1985 he designed 14 different types of Ultra Lights, one of which was the Thermite, and he produced and sold some thirty aircraft.
Reverting to the design function in lieu of production and sales. Veenstra was unfortunately killed in the 1985 crash of one of his designs.
The Museum's Thermite is unique as it is an example of Australian design, and it was Veenstra's personal aircraft.
It is currently on display in the Museum.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 1 pilot.
Power plant 1 x 17hp Fuji Robin 244cc engine.
Length : 16'04'' (5.0m) Wingspan : 26'02'' (8.0m)
Weight : empty - 276lbs (125kg)
Speed : maximum - 68lt (81mph) (130km/hr) cruise - 48kt (58mph) (93km/hr)