Fletcher FD-25

[papacavy]

I am working on some articles that I hope to get published (making a little beer money to suppliment my retirement) and I have comes acroos two articles from Air Progress magazine on the Fletcher FD-25 Defender. I've done some on-line research and have found some good background material.

Does anyone have any other info on this little gem?

As always, you'll get credit for helping me with my research.

 

[hesham]

Hi Papacavy,


here is article about it from Le Fana 495.

 

[Stargazer]

Here is a long article from Air Classics, which I didn't scan. I think I saved it from a website that may still be out there, but anyway:

 

[Stargazer]

Continued (+ bits and pieces):

 

[papacavy]

WOW! ;D

Thank you, gentlemen!

 

[walter]

Hi papacavy

Do not know whether you know this site http://dansa.minim.ne.jp/a3723FujisawaToyoAC.htm
It has detailed information on the Toyo production of the FD-25. Google Translate worked on the site!
Depending on the source, the production totals of the FD-25 vary to up to 16.
Would you agree to this breakdown as reliable?
N90802 first prototype as FD-25 or XFD-25. Single-seater
N90609 second prototype as FD-25A two-seater and lost in crash
N91316 third prototype as FD-25B single-seater and after restauration (around 2010?) re-registered as N240FD
JA3041 an FD-25B and first example built by Toyo
JA3050 an FD-25A and lost in crash in October 1953
JA3051 an FD-25B which in 1954 was acquired by the Royal Thai Police
JA3092 an FD-25B and first flown September 1954
At least 5 aircraft (FD-25A models) for the Royal Khmer AF (Cambodia)
That would make total of 12 aircraft in total. Despite frequent reports, it seems that South Vietnam never operated the type.
Any thoughts please
Best regards, Walter



041

 

[papacavy]

Thanks, Walter. Much appreciated.

I could not connect to that link though. Got a 401 Error.

I will look up Toyo Aircraft separately.

Thanks again!

 

[Stargazer]

I could not connect to that link though. Got a 401 Error.

Of course you can. It's because the link provided by papacavy has an .html extension by error. Remove the final "l" and make it "htm" and it will work fine.


link corrected

 

[cluttonfred]

For context, the related Fletcher FU-24 utility aircraft design was purchased by Pacific Aerospace of New Zealand and a derivative remains in production as the PAC Cresco, which also heavily influenced the design of the PAC P-750 XSTOL, a competitor to the Cessna Caravan.

http://aerofiles.com/_f.html
http://www.aerospace.co.nz/aircraft

 

[ZacYates]

Has anyone seen images of the example apparently on display in Japan?

EDIT: never mind, found it. And another. Jun Oizumi has fantastic walkarounds of both on his Flickr photostream (scroll down about a third of the way).

 

[riggerrob]

Amazing how that Japanese museum has both versions of FD-25 (single-seat and two-seat) on display!
An American also restored an FD-25 to flying condition during this century. I will have to review EAA Warbirds magazine to find details. I suspect that the airframe was ex-Thai Air Force.

 

[ZacYates]

An American also restored an FD-25 to flying condition during this century. I will have to review EAA Warbirds magazine to find details. I suspect that the airframe was ex-Thai Air Force.

It's s/n3, now registered N240FD but was originally N91316. Used by Fletcher then sold to Jim Caster (as mentioned in the previously-posted Air Classics article) in late 1966 who rebuilt it and often photographed at Fullerton. Restored a second time by Davis Air Repair in California and on show at EAA Airventure 2010 (lots of great photos online including the Le Fana scans posted by @hesham above).

I believe the Royal Thai Police machine was Toyo-built.

Hi papacavy

Do not know whether you know this site http://dansa.minim.ne.jp/a3723FujisawaToyoAC.htm
It has detailed information on the Toyo production of the FD-25. Google Translate worked on the site!
Depending on the source, the production totals of the FD-25 vary to up to 16.
Would you agree to this breakdown as reliable?
N90802 first prototype as FD-25 or XFD-25. Single-seater
N90609 second prototype as FD-25A two-seater and lost in crash
N91316 third prototype as FD-25B single-seater and after restauration (around 2010?) re-registered as N240FD
JA3041 an FD-25B and first example built by Toyo
JA3050 an FD-25A and lost in crash in October 1953
JA3051 an FD-25B which in 1954 was acquired by the Royal Thai Police
JA3092 an FD-25B and first flown September 1954
At least 5 aircraft (FD-25A models) for the Royal Khmer AF (Cambodia)
That would make total of 12 aircraft in total. Despite frequent reports, it seems that South Vietnam never operated the type.
Any thoughts please
Best regards, Walter

Thanks to a friend's research I see you're largely correct. Additions and corrections:
- JA3092 is preserved at the Tokyo Metropolitan College of Industrial Technology
- JA3050 is preserved at the above site (note JA3092 is visible underneath)
- four Toyo FD-25B for Vietnam but not built
- five Toyo FD-25B (serials E-1, E-2, E-4, E-6 and E-7) and two FD-25A (E-3 and E-5) built for Cambodia

 

[fortrena]

The following chatty text may perhaps be of some interest...

Wings over the world: The PT6 turboprop and turboshaft engine, Part 2 | The Channel

ingeniumcanada.org

 

[Richard N]

Part 1 of the PT6 article:

Wings over the world: The PT6 turboprop and turboshaft engine, Part 1 | The Channel

ingeniumcanada.org