Araldite makes aviation history

Araldite makes aviation history

Keywords Adhesives,Aircraft, Ciba

At the recent Farnborough Air Show, Australian pilot and adventurer, Lang Kidby, took off in a restored 1927 Avro Avian aircraft, in an attempt to re-enact the first ever solo flight From England to Australia. Ciba Specialty Chemicals is one of the supporting sponsors of the project through its supply of a special Araldite epoxy adhesive which has been used extensively in the aircraft's restoration. The aircraft, the only one of its type flying in the world today, has been restored by the pilot at his home near Brisbane over the last 12 months. It was shipped to Europe lastsummer and, after many guest appearances at European air shows, it retraced the 11,000 mile journey back to Australia, first flown by Bert Hinklet 70 years ago.

The aircraft, registration VH-UFZ, was originally built in Manchester in 1927 and has had a chequered career, flying in all parts of Australia before being grounded in 1947. Its remains were collected from a farm shed 20 years ago and finally purchased by Lang Kidby in 1997.

The panels and structural members of the fuselage are made entirely of wood and the various spruce and birch ply components are all bonded with Araldite adhesive AW 134 and hardener HY 994. The wings comprise two solid spruce spars, which are pinned and bonded with the same Araldite products to narrow section spruce ribs which in turn are bonded and pinned to a hardwood leading edge and a spruce trailing edge. This Araldite combination is especially suitable for bonding wood and aluminium substrates, and has a reputation which is second to none among the Australian homebuild and wooden aircraft markets.

The extensive use of Araldite to bond the aircraft's components eliminated any need for wire bracings and metal brackets and delivered an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. The Avian's low empty weight (about 850lb) also allows it to lift a considerable fuel load (l,620lb) giving it an excellent flying range.

Lang Kidby left the Farnborough Air Show on 13 September, and retraced as closely as possible Bert Hinkler's original route to Australia, passing through 18 countries. In 1994,following his successful re-creation of the Smith Brothers' record breaking 1919 flight from England to Australia, Lang was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to aviation history.

Further details can be obtained from TOPS Dept., Tregartha Dinnie Ltd., Christchurch Road, Tring, Herts HP23 4EE.