Savannah VG 80hp 19-5386

Started building my Savannah July 2007. A mate, Greg, already owned one and with his encouragement and help I decided to build the plane and learn to fly at the same time.

Learned to fly with Eddie Madden at Sportaviation in Tocumwal NSW, Australia (whose main go is gliding. Look Sportaviation up on google.) Ed has aeroplanes in his blood, they are his life.

Greg wanted to test fly 5386. I wanted our good mate and Instructing Guru Cliff Banks to do it. As usual Greg talked me into doing it his way and the first flight took place from Greg's farm strip in Tongala Victoria on the 24th August 2008. I should also mention that Greg, his three sons and I built a two plane hangar at the farm to add to his existing hangar for my plane and one other while the project was going on. See set called New Hangar.

It took me 13 months to build. No excuses - I did take too long but the importers and dealers in the english speaking world need a good old fashioned fist beating for supplying the builder's manual in half arsed pigeon english. There were times I did not do a thing for weeks as I had had enough of that bloody book. Not to mention a mistake could easily be made which could prove dangerous or worse. Enough said.

Flying the Savannah is a real joy. I cannot express just how much fun and enjoyment it is to own and fly - you will have to take my word on that.

As at the time of writing June 07 2009 5386 has completed 73.9hrs.

Updated hours at end of June 2010 207.5hrs

1954 Oval Window Beetle.

My Beetle was bought by my late Dad in 1972 as a second car for him to run to work. He was given a '63 by my brother in 1975 and was going to throw the '54 away (He really was, the old man was no hoarder) I interveened and now after 50 million years it is being restored. The man, magician, craftsman doing the body work is Sasha Hollenbach in Dandenong Victoria. He is the best!. So fortunate to have been introduced to him, thanks Nathan.

The original photos pre Sasha were taken to send to Sasha to let him know just how rough the poor old thing was. A local panel beater had stripped it down 5 years before and left her to rot/rust. After monthly pleadings for him to finish the car I took it away. (many tears and dummies) All he did made Sasha's job that much more difficult. The local guy stripped the paint off the roof which then corroded deep deep down, Sasha nearly had to cut it off and replace it. The original guy even sent me a bill for $1254.00 to rub salt into the wound.

Floor pan is finished and body is nearly done so will add photos as work progresses.

Mark Dunwoodie June 2009