Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman

11/30/2013 Volmer VJ-22 SportsmanVolmer VJ-22 Sportsman   Now, you don’t see that plane taxiing around the airport every day.  So, what is it?  That was my question to the owner after it stopped in front of its hangar.  Well, it’s a 1950’s vintage, experimental, high wing monoplane, Volmer VJ-22 Amphibian flying boat nicknamed “Sportsman” with a 235hp Franklin engine, hydraulic brakes, and a two place, size by side, closed cabin.  Apparently, only about 100 have been built.  This particular airplane was built in 1994 hence the upgraded engine.  For more images of this beautiful plane, visit Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman | a 7 Image Story.

 

 

 

 

 

11/30/2013 Volmer VJ-22 Seats

Just the Facts

    • Length: 24 ft
  • Height: 8 ft
  • Wingspan: 36.5 ft
  • Empty weight: 1,000 lbs
  • Useful load: 500 lbs
  • Gross weight: 1,500 lbs
  • Fuel consumption 5.0 gals per hour with a Continental C-85 engine
  • Cruise: 85 mph
  • Stall: 45 mph
  • Climb: 600 ft/min
  • Ceiling: 13,000 ft
  • Wood hull aircraft mahogany plywood and spruce, fiber-glass covered
  • Wings-Aeronca Chief or Champion, wood spar, ribs, fabric covered
  • Landing gear-Main gear, swiveling tail wheel and water rudder manually retractable


 

 

11/30/2013 Volmer VJ-22 CockpitYeah, the glass display is an iPad which adorns a modern cockpit for a classy vintage plane. And, look at the wood floor; beautiful workmanship.   Hopefully, I’ll get another opportunity to capture more images of this gorgeous airplane.  Once again, the easy to carry, Nikon 1 V1 comes through, since it was in my vehicle as I was leaving the airport today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wolves

11/24/2013 Wolves

Wolves  After a trip to Yellowstone, people always ask me if I was able to capture any wolf images.  The answer has always been the same, no, until now.  Yes, I finally was able to capture a few images with wolves.  Now, these images are, well, pretty weak.  That said, it’s still the first time I have ever gotten close enough to even see the wolf in the image.  So, maybe there’s hope to get a better image next time.  One of the reasons I really like the Nikon 1 V1 is the 2.7 crop factor.  Without it, I would not have even been able to capture this image.  The effective focal length was 810mm.  The wolves had to be 200 to 300 yards away.

Before My Dip

11/23/2013 Before My Dip

Before My Dip  Several folks would like to know where I took my “dip” into  Hyalite Creek.  This image was captured just before the dip.  I wanted to get a lower angle so I made my way to the edge of the water, stepped onto a couple of rocks in the stream, put my tripod into the water, and was about to hit the shutter when my right boot slipped.  I went into a foot or so of water getting boots, socks, and pants wet up to my rear.  Yeah, a good slip it was.  Actually, it was my second slip into the creek.  Three years ago, about the same time of year, I slipped into the creek, down stream a bit,  attempting to do the same thing.  For some odd reason, I have captured some of my best images while getting wet from water or snow.