Hi Jim
GK-1 was the brainchild of a chap by the name of Garth Kopke (hence GK). He
used to fly crop dusters for one of the big veg producers a while ago. He
was tragically killed in a crash while contracting out to fly fire bombers
in Lesotho a number of years ago.(you remember the huge veld fires they had
there). After his death the plane was dismantled and sent to Russel Philips
for safe keeping in Port Elizabeth. Russell eventually bought it from
Garth's dad and assembled it to fly himself. He sold it a short while
later.I have no knowledge of it after that. The main difference of the GK1
from the KR1 is the wing construction and the way it fastens to the
fuselage.The entire wing is one piece and slips into the fuselage from
underneath and is held in place by only two bolts if I am not mistaken. That
Honda motor was bought from Russel Philips originally who first had it in a
citabria. According to Russell, that plane is SUPERFAST.When my good friend,
Rob V.D. Merwe still had his 2.0L type IV powered KR2 (ZS-WEC) they flew
together once. Well according to Rob they would be flying side by side with
the KR flat out and GK1 at his wing tip. Russell would open the throttle and
literally dissapear in the distance. What news can you tell me about GK-1? I
saw Russell today and witnessed the third flight and the first flight of his
new self designed and built whisper motorglider with two people
aboard---MAGIC. See websight link below.
Well I hope that is the info you were looking for.
Cheers
Dene Collett
South Africa
mailto: dene.coll...@telkomsa.net
P.S. Checkout www.whisperaircraft.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "JIM VANCE" <va...@claflinwildcats.com>
To: "krnet" <kr...@mylist.net>
Sent: Monday, January 12, 2004 3:12 PM
Subject: KR>GK 1 Aircraft
At our EAA chapter meeting yesterday, I was given the owner's manual for a
GK-1 aircraft. It is powered by a Honda engine with a reduction drive. It
looks exactly like a KR-1. The registration number on the aircraft on the
cover is ZU-BLJ.
Can anyone tell me the lineage of the GK-1?
Jim Vance
va...@claflinwildcats.com
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