From the last living Nipper in the Antipodes

[Roy Docherty]

Good morning i would like to introduce myself and advise that I am very happy to see there is a community of fellow Nipper people out there..

I am Roy Docherty of Australia, I own Nipper SN123 registered as 28-0842 in Australia as a Recreational Aircraft.. It is a Jabiru powered nipper and had an earlier Jab Engine SN 280 or so , that engine has cracked the heads and I have bought a new Jabiru 2.2 which is now in the aircraft having its cables and hoses connected. I expect that to be done by June and then I can test fly... I also own a Urban Air Lambada ufm11 motorglider which is great when you want to take someone up but there is nothing quite like a nipper.. They are unique , very special and historic. They also go real well.. My only issue is that I am 105KGs and when I climb in my son tells me it makes my bum look big. I have both my aircraft at Wedderburn Airstrip in NSW which is a private airstrip ( sealed) owned by about 280 members..

I have a question..
I have the undercarriage springing arranged by wrapping a length of bungy around the spring mounts..It is real ugly.. I believe there must be proper rubber loops with the right load characteristics to do the job but dont know what the specificatons (circumference and thickness) should be and the number of these loops that should be used.. Is there anyone in the group that can advise me on this pls.. ie what they are and where to get them..

I have attached a couple of pictures of my nipper and lambada for your interest.. Including me after having hit my head on the pitot tube...also an aerial shot near Wedderburn airport..

I look forward to any response

Roy

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Roy,

Welcome aboard the Tipsy site.

Great to hear one is still flying in Oz, it looks very nice, the spats finish the a/c I think. The Jab 2.2 should be spectacular in the Nipper.

I got a spare set of u/c rubbers that have just been made to order, not cheap, but for all the mucking about to try to make them and end up doing it a number of times I think £100 + p&p was a fair price. Nipper Kits and components are still going in the uk, although I can never tie Alan down as to what he has in stock!

Alan Ayles
Nipper kits and components
Foxley
Blackness Lane
Keston
Kent
BR2 6HL
England

Phone 01689-858351
Fax 01689-858351

All the very best, hope the engine is great, keep posting the pic's........and I hope the pitot tube gets better soon! (it is possible to break the glue joint for the wooden block that supports the 'tube....I am sure you have checked!)

Neil

[G-NIPR]

Neil,
Did you get your rubbers made to order from Nipper Kits or 'A.N Other' source.
I have a need for a set now having split the outer one last week. If you could advise the best way to source a set I would be grateful.
I have briefly spoken with Alan but find him very hard to get these days...

Ta,

Paul.
G-NIPR.

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Paul.

I did ask for a set of rubbers from Alan, he had some other orders too, so had a batch made which took a long time to come. He has some spares now on the shelf for sale. If you would rather I deal with him I can get them and send them on if you like. Or I could send you the ones I have immeadiately and get a replacement set.

Neil

[G-NIPR]

Thanks Neil,
I have left a message on his answerphone and will wait to see if my parts arrive. Its the not knowing if he got the message that puzzles me! Ill give it a week or so and call you if no joy....

Ta,

Paul.
G-NIPR.

[Neil Spooner]

Hi Paul,

I spoke with Alan yesterday, he has lost your details. Can you give him a call. He also has some tyres for you if you want them.

Neil

[richard]

Dear Roy,
I have Niper No36 that started its life in Australia and spent many years there, I have all the history if your interested. It is currently getting restored.
Cheers Richard